Vanessa Bryant Says She Knows Kobe Is “So Proud” of Daughter Natalia as She’s Accepted to USC

A month before signing a modeling contract, Natalia and her family honored the one-year anniversary of Kobe and Gianna’s death.

At the time, Vanessa reflected on the tragedy, while also posting a letter from one of Gianna’s friends.

“Today I received this sweet letter from one of Gianna’s best friends, Aubrey,” she shared on social media on Jan. 25. “I love you Aubz (as my Gigi would call you). Thank you so much for beautifully sharing some of your memories of my Gigi with me. I miss my baby girl and Kob-Kob so much, too. I will never understand why/how this tragedy could’ve happened to such beautiful, kind and amazing human beings. It still doesn’t seem real.”

She concluded, “Kob, we did it right. Gigi, you still make mommy proud. I love you! #PlayGigisWay #Mambacita #Mamba #DaddysGirl #GirlDad.”