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Seven months after signing with IMG models, Kobe Bryant’s daughter Natalia has scored her first magazine cover — on the September issue of Teen Vogue.
The 18-year-old model posed for the high-profile shoot just before her mother, Vanessa Bryant, dropped her off at the University of Southern California, where she is starting her freshman year as a film major.
But even with her quick ascent in the modeling world — the September issue is considered the most important one for fashion magazines — Natalia is still grappling with the loss of her father, who died tragically in a helicopter crash in January of 2020.
‘You do the best that you can,’ she told Teen Vogue about how her family is coping. ‘[For] my little sisters [we’re] trying to keep that memory for them. And also just trying to remember to live out every day the way they would.’
Big moment: Kobe Bryant’s daughter Natalia has scored her first magazine cover — on the September issue of Teen Vogue
Lookin’ gorgeous: She models a cozy Kingsley cardigan, a ladylike Aisling Camps turtleneck, and glamorous Panconesi earrings
‘I love talking about my dad,’ she said. ‘It’s bittersweet, but I enjoy talking about him more than it’s sad for me.’
Though the loss is no doubt painful, Natalia didn’t shy away from talking about her late father in the interview — or her little sister Gianna, whom she still talks about in the present tense.
‘I love talking about my dad,’ she said. ‘It’s bittersweet, but I enjoy talking about him more than it’s sad for me.’
She gushed: ‘He was just like the best girl dad ever.’
Recalling when they saw Rise of Skywalker together in 2019, she said: ‘He was just letting me play my playlist and jam out to Taylor Swift the whole ride back, and talk about Star Wars too. It was so much fun.’
It was also her dad who sparked her interest in USC.
On August 19, Vanessa dropped her eldest daughter off at the school, sharing a family selfie with her, four-year-old Bianka, and two-year-old Capri.
‘Today was rough,’ Vanessa wrote on Instagram, admitting that the phot was taken ‘before the tears came down.’
Candid: Natalia didn’t shy away from talking about her late father in the interview — or her little sister Gianna, whom she still talks about in the present tense
Up-and-comer: The 18-year-old signed with IMG Models earlier this year
She gushed about her father: ‘He was just like the best girl dad ever.’
Though Kobe didn’t get to be there for the special day, he had spent time with his daughter at the university.
Two months before his death, he took Natalia to a USC vs. Oregon basketball game.
‘That was an especially cool moment that I got to experience with him, and sit courtside, and watch two of the top teams,’ Natalia recalled. ‘They were going at it. I was in awe watching them.’
She had hoped to play volleyball for the school, but quit the sport after her father’s death.
‘I love the sport,’ she said, but ‘I quit volleyball after the accident because I was so … a lot was going on at that time. I knew I didn’t … love volleyball as much as they love basketball. I’m okay with that.’
Now the teen is pursuing modeling, starting with a contract with IMG signed earlier this year.
Higher education: She is now a freshman at the University of Southern California
Moving on: She admitted that she quit volleyball after the accident, realizing she didn’t love the sport as much as Kobe and Gianna loved basketball
‘I have always been interested in fashion since a very young age,’ Natalia said
‘I have always been interested in fashion since a very young age,’ Natalia told WWD at the time.
‘I have a love for the industry, and ever since I can remember, I wanted to model. There is a lot to learn, but I feel this is a great opportunity for me to learn and express myself creatively.’
‘Natalia has such a bright future ahead of her, and we were taken aback by her beauty, talent and drive from our first encounter,’ added IMG Models’ senior vice president Maja Chiesi.
‘We’re honored to partner with Natalia in shaping her career in fashion and beauty, and we look forward to connecting her with fresh, exciting opportunities that showcase her multifaceted personality and look.’
Her Teen Vogue cover — where she models a cozy Kingsley cardigan, a ladylike Aisling Camps turtleneck, and glamorous Panconesi earrings — is her biggest gig to date.
Family: Natalia (right), pictured with her late sister Gianna (far left), her late father, her mother, and her little sister Bianka
Her mom was thrilled about her Teen Vogue cover, writing: ‘I love you!!!! You are so beautiful. Congratulations Mamacita!!!!!!’
‘So beyond grateful!’ she gushed on Instagram today.
Well wishes have poured in on Instagram, starting with her mom, who wrote: ‘I love you!!!! You are so beautiful. Congratulations Mamacita!!!!!!’
‘Omg my Nani,’ wrote LaLa Anthony. ‘Stunning!!! U look gorgeous. I’m so so proud of u!!!! I love u so much.’
Ciara added: ‘So proud of you Nani! Stunning! Bellissima! Bravissima!’
‘Gorgeous baby girl proud of you,’ chimed in fellow model Adut Akech Bior, while actress Skai Jackson, US Women’s star Ashlyn Harris, and Shaquille O’Neal’s college basketball player son Shareef O’Neal also commented.
