Kobe Bryant Latest News, Photos, and Videos

Kobe Bryant was a true romantic.

During his memorial service today at Staples Center, the late basketball player’s wife, Vanessa, revealed that Kobe once gifted her with the iconic blue dress that Rachel McAdams wore in The Notebook.

“I looked forward to Valentine’s Day and our anniversaries every year. He planned special anniversary trips and a special traditional gift every year of our marriage,” Vanessa shared during her eulogy at the service, which also memorialized her daughter, Gianna, who passed away along with Kobe and seven others in a helicopter crash in January.

Vanessa continued, “He gifted me the actual notebook and the blue dress Rachel McAdams wore in The Notebook movie. When I asked him why he chose the blue dress, he said it was because it was the scene when Allie comes back to Noah. We had hoped to grow old together like the movie.”

“We really had an amazing love story,” she added. “We loved each other with our whole beings. Two perfectly imperfect people making a beautiful family and raising our sweet and amazing girls.”

Vanessa‘s eulogy starts at the 48:00 mark in the video below:

If you missed them, see pics from the performances at Kobe and Gianna‘s memorial service.

The stars are stepping out to remember Kobe and Gianna Bryant.

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez attended Kobe and Gianna‘s Celebration of Life on Monday (February 24) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

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Also in attendance was Jay-Z and Beyonce, who opened the memorial service with a performance of her songs “XO” and “Halo.”

Before attending the service, Jennifer took to Instagram to show off her nails, which had the number 2 and number 24 on them in honor of Gianna and Kobe.

Christina Aguilera is honoring Kobe Bryant.

The 39-year-old singer took to the stage to perform “Ava Maria” at the Celebration of Life remembering the 41-year-old Lakers player and his daughter Gianna Bryant on Monday (February 24) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Christina Aguilera

Christina performed the song in Italian to honor Kobe who spoke six languages, including Italian.

Kobe also spent part of his childhood in Italy, where he first started playing basketball.

Make sure you watch the emotional and touching tribute Vanessa Bryant shared to Kobe and Gianna.

10+ pictures inside of Christina Aguilera performing at the Celebration of Life…More Here! »

Vanessa Bryant filed a lawsuit on Monday (February 24) alleging that the helicopter crash that took the lives of her husband Kobe Bryant, their 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and 7 others was “due to negligence by the pilot and the aircraft’s operating company.”

Vanessa is specifically filing the suit against Island Express Helicopters and the survivors of pilot Ara George Zobayan.

The lawsuit continues to say that pilots and law enforcement had been grounded due to the conditions the day of the crash, but the pilot requested – and received – permission to fly. According to the papers filed by Vanessa, Island Express’ FAA operating certificate did not allow pilots to fly during conditions like those on the day of the crash. The pilot had already allegedly been cited by the FAA for violating this rule in the past.

The suit further claims that the pilot “failed to properly monitor the weather prior to the flight, failed to abort the flight when he became aware of the conditions, improperly flew the helicopter into conditions under which he couldn’t navigate by sight, failed to avoid natural obstacles and failed to properly and safely operate the helicopter,” according to THR.

Vanessa Bryant gave a heartbreaking speech at the celebration of life ceremony that took place today.

The stars are stepping out to remember Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.

Tons of celebrities and athletes filled the Staples Center to attended Kobe and Gianna‘s Celebration of Life on Monday (February 24) in Los Angeles.

Stars in attendance included Alicia Keys, Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade, Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, and Snoop Dogg.

Athletes in attendance included Shaquille O’Neal, Lamar Odom, Michael Phelps and wife Nicole, Scottie Pippen, Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and Anthony Davis.

Kobe‘s longtime friend and current General Manager for the Lakers Rob Pelinka as well as former Lakers’ coach Phil Jackson also attended.

READ MORE: Vanessa Byrant Pays Emotional & Moving Tribute to Kobe & Gigi – Watch Now

20+ pictures inside of the stars at the memorial…More Here! »

After Vanessa Bryant‘s emotional speech dedicated to her late husband and daughter, Kobe and Gigi, a moment happened that fans are talking about as so sweet and touching.

The celebration of life event – which took place on Monday (February 24) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles – saw Vanessa giving a heartbreaking tribute to her two late family members.

After the speech, NBA legend Michael Jordan got up from his seat in the audience and approached Vanessa and helped her down the stairs back to her seat before hugging her.

Michael gave a speech later on during the ceremony that had everyone laughing at one point!