Natalia Bryant is no stranger to the spotlight.
As the daughter of Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, she’s been a public figure since birth.
That’s when Natalia and her family were thrown into the center of a relentless media frenzy.
“Many of you may have noticed the recent switch to a private account.
My mom and I have had to unfortunately block fan pages because they keep reposting our pics.”
Bryant has experienced a lot of tragedy, but she’s determined to keep moving forward.
“I’m SO happy for you Nani!”
“I know daddy is so PROUD OF YOU.”
Let’s take a look back at her remarkable journey.
Shortly after Natalia’s arrival, Kobe took a moment to gush about his beautiful baby girl.
“I did not want to take my eyes off her and my wife.”
He added, “She looks just like Vanessa, thank God.
She has a head full of hair just like her momma.”
Reflecting on her name, Natalia revealed that its origins are a bit of a mystery.
“I have no idea why I’m named Natalia,” she confessed toTeen Vogue.
“My mom just picked out my name.
Diamante in Spanish is diamond, and my nickname is Nani, which in Hawaiian means beautiful.”
Natalia’s only-child status expired in 2006 with the birth of her sister, Gianna “Gigi” Bryant.
Her next sibling, Bianka Bryant, came along in 2016, followed by Capri Bryant in 2019.
Nevertheless, Natalia shared a special bond with her parents.
Growing up, she fluttered between elite schools, luxurious vacations, and star-studded events with her parents.
But beyond the perks of celebrityhood, the Bryants enjoyed a relatively normal family life.
In 2018, Kobe Bryant spoke on his family’s relatable (and totally wholesome) Christmas traditions.
“Every year, we go and watch ‘The Nutcracker.’
Every single year,” the all-star toldEntertainment Tonight.
Speaking with Teen Vogue, Natalia revealed that she never felt stifled by her father’s celebrity status.
“Growing up, my parents made it as normal as possible.
Thank God they did,” she said.
“It’s not, ‘Oh she’s Natalia Bryant, she’s Kobe Bryant’s daughter.’
A lot of times, they saw me as, ‘She’s just Nani.'”
I’d rather be with them than doing anything else."
Surely, she’d follow in her father’s footsteps and become a famous athlete, right?
Well, not in this case.
Kobe and Vanessa Bryant encouraged their daughter to follow her passions and dreams throughout her childhood.
Even when she was a toddler, they taught her to embrace her imagination.
“My parents would ask me, ‘Do you have a story?'”
Bryant recalled toTown & Country.
“And I’d say, ‘Oh, okay!
Years later, she went on to study film in college.
“Well, the reason behind it is that I watched all of these movies with my dad.”
In 2024, Vanessa Bryant praised her ambitious daughter in Town & Country.
“Natalia has always been able to accomplish anything she sets her mind to,” she said.
Bryant became enamored with the sport while watching a match at the London Olympics in 2012.
Bryant played for her high school’s varsity team and planned to go even further.
“I wanted to play volleyball in college,” she revealed.
“I played club volleyball with the intention of becoming a D1 athlete.”
Ultimately, the star decided that her heart wasn’t in it anymore.
I knew I didn’t … love volleyball as much as they love basketball.
I’m okay with that.”
Despite giving up her college volleyball dreams, Bryant hasn’t lost interest in sports.
Nowadays, she’s embracing amateur skiing.
You think about what you’re doing in the moment.
It’s about being present."
Their deaths sent shockwaves through the sports world and beyond.
A few days after the accident, Vanessa Bryant spoke on her family’s behalf.
The grieving mother wrote: “There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now.”
And thanks to her lifelong interest in fashion, she has become quite the style icon.
In 2021, the vogue queen signed on with IMG Models.
Especially complete college too," the model told Teen Vogue.
Bryant agreed to make school a priority while pursuing modeling.
Ahead of the show, Bryant expressed gratitude for the “incredible opportunity.”
In 2021, the young celeb took a major leap toward her future when she became a college student.
Bryant enrolled at the University of Southern California, where she chose to pursue a filmmaking degree.
In 2022, Bryant gushed toEntertainment Tonightabout her college experience.
“I’m loving everything,” she said.
“I feel like this whole year flew by so fast.
It was everything I expected and honestly more.
It was just everything, so I’m so happy to be with everybody that I like.
I’ve just loved everyone that I’ve met.”
Still, Bryant has admitted that college can be stressful especially when she factors in her bustling modeling career.
“I love having an open mind,” she toldPeople.
Bryant adores her little siblings, Bianka and Capri.
That said, Bryant is devoted to being a role model for the little ones.
On her Instagram account, she proudly displays her heartwarming relationship with Bianka and Capri.
Just like their big sister, the youngsters are taking an interest in fashion.
“She is such a strong personality and she knows what she wants.
Of course, Bryant’s late sister Gigi is never far from her heart.
And in 2022, she paid tribute to her on what would have been her 16th birthday.
I love you to the moon and back.
forever & always.”
Vanessa’s response made it clear that the admiration was mutual.
“You’re like the constant North Star to all your friends.
Natalia attended the trial and faithfully supported her mom.
In 2023, the Bryant family received a $28.8 million settlement in the case.
“It was such an amazing experience,” Bryant raved.
“I’m horrible with lyrics.
Like, horrible,” she declared.
I swear I’m cultured!'”
Natalia Bryant may have scored the internship with some help from Beyonce herself.
Natalia Bryant celebrated a milestone in 2024
Natalia Bryant turned 21 on January 19, 2024.
To ring in the milestone, the junior celeb threw a grandiose party with family and friends.
Bryant rocked the event in a cherry red minidress adorned with two large, sparkly hearts.
For an elegant touch, the fashion model styled her hair into a sleek, shoulder length bob.
Partygoers kicked off the evening by gathering with the birthday girl around a pink heart-shaped cake.
The festivities also featured a photo booth, where Bryant captured priceless moments with her loved ones.
Bryant’s star-studded guest list included Ciara, Kelly Rowland, Winnie Harlow, and numerous others.
In honor of the momentous occasion, Vanessa Bryant shared a heartfelt tribute to her daughter onInstagram.
“Happy birthday 21st birthday @nataliabryant!!!
We love you so much!!!!”
she captioned the post.
“You are what every parent hopes and prays for.
Although she’s looking toward the future, Bryant is intent on preserving Kobe’s memory.
“I love talking about my dad,” she told Teen Vogue in 2021.
“It’s bittersweet, but I enjoy talking about him more than it’s sad for me.”
Thanks to her father’s enduring legacy, Bryant can easily access his wisdom.
“It’s putting your best foot forward at all times regardless of all the noise.
You have to remind yourself that with positivity and resilience you’re able to do anything.”
