Natalia Bryant, daughter of the late Kobe Bryant, has disclosed that it’s not been easy shouldering the pressure of carrying on her father’s legacy following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Kobe Bryant and her 13-year-old sister Gigi in 2020.
In a featured interview as the cover star of Town & Country, the 21-year-old aspiring creative reflected on the impact of the sudden loss and how it has brought her life into sharp focus. Despite the challenges, Natalia is making waves in the fashion industry as she navigates her own path, according to Daily Mail.
She shared: “My main goal is just to be the best version of me that I possibly can.” She said since the deaths of her father and sister, she has come to understand that there are no specific expectations for each stage of life.
The college student said that the overriding lesson she has adopted is to stick to continuous learning, stating, “There’s no finish line. You just have to keep pushing and being the best person you can be and soaking everything up like a sponge… The job’s never done.”
Natalia is currently residing in Los Angeles, where much of the city is surrounded by street art memorializing Kobe and Gigi. When asked about the challenge of constantly seeing murals of her late father and sister, she revealed that she doesn’t find it difficult. She noted that she is rather inspired by the murals of her father and sister, considering them special gems.
Currently studying film at the University of Southern California, Natalia recently debuted her first film, a milestone that her mother, Vanessa Bryant, is proud of. While expressing interest in becoming a director and citing inspiration from filmmakers like Sofia Coppola and Greta Gerwig, Natalia has also found success in the world of modeling.
She secured her first contract with IMG in 2021 and has subsequently posed for prominent brands. Reflecting on her first Versace runway appearance in September, Natalia admitted feeling “completely terrified” initially but described the subsequent experience as an adrenaline rush.
“I remember after I walked I turned to someone and said, ‘Oh my god, let’s do that again!’”
Natalia, known for her connections with celebrity friends like Taylor Swift, Timothée Chalamet, Nicola Peltz, and Brooklyn Beckham, has interned at Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment and contributed to imagery for the Renaissance tour.
Balancing success in both fashion and film, she said she finds joy in having a presence in both worlds.
“What I’ve always loved about film is that it’s such a collaborative art form and I view modeling the same way.
