Natalia Bryant Says She Wants to Make Sure Her Late Father Kobe’s Mamba Mentality ‘Stays Intact’

Natalia Bryant must have seen her late father, Kobe Bryant.

The model and University of Southern California student, 20, opened up about continuing the legacy of her father’s “mamba mentality” mentality in a new interview with Ellaexplaining that the term simply means that someone is “constantly trying to be the best version” of themselves.

“It’s about doing your best at all times regardless of all the noise,” Natalia said.

“I want to make sure that mentality stays intact, because it can be so easy to give up on yourself when things get tough,” she added. “You have to remind yourself that with positivity and resilience you can do anything.”

Vanessa and Kobe Bryant’s daughter Natalia paid tribute to her late father at ‘Lakers Night’ at Dodger Stadium

Natalia Bryant speaks at a ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theater in March 2023.

JC Olivera/Getty

While talking to Ella about being the face of UGG’s latest campaign, “Feels Like UGG,” Bryant also explained how she deals with difficult times in her life by “focusing my energy on things that bring me happiness.”

“I spend time with people I love, like my family,” Natalia said. “I hang out with my friends or listen to my favorite music. I do things that bring me peace and put me in a much better place. I think it’s important to focus on the positive aspects that life has to offer.”

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Natalia lost her father Kobe and 13-year-old younger sister Gianna when the two tragically died in a helicopter crash in January 2020 along with seven other people. Since then, Natalia and her family have continued to honor the couple with statues, basketball courts, a handprint ceremony and, most recently, when Natalia threw out the first pitch at a Los Angeles Dodgers home game.

On the mound, Natalia wore a Dodgers jersey with one of her father’s Lakers numbers (No. 8) embroidered on it. She combined the uniform with blue Kobe Nike sneakers.

Natalia’s mom, Vanessa Bryant, and sisters Capri Kobe, 4, and Bianka Bella, 6, also celebrated on the field — and Bianka also managed to shout the catchphrase, “It’s time for Dodger baseball,” before the game. The Dodgers organization presented the Bryant family with a $100,000 check for their nonprofit organization, the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, which was started in honor of Kobe and Gianna.

Vanessa Bryant cheers on USC Football with daughter Natalia during a family weekend

Estrop/Getty

As for Natalia, the model has been busy launching her career after making her catwalk debut during Versace’s Spring/Summer 2024 show, wearing a black cap sleeve midi dress and metallic pumps. The event marked her first runway appearance since signing with IMG Models in 2021.

After the show, she described Donatella Versace as “so welcoming and sweet and made me feel so comfortable, especially since it was my first runway.”

“I am beyond excited for my runway debut. It’s such an amazing opportunity and I’m so grateful to Donatella and honored that she invited me to be a part of something so special,” Natalia told Vogue.

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Source: HIS Education