Vanessa Bryant, the widow of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, appeared at the NBA All-Star Game this past weekend.
In an effort to honor the league’s 75 greatest players ever, the NBA held a special ceremony where it paid tribute to all of the recognized individuals. Vanessa appeared in Kobe’s place.
Lakers legend Kobe Bryant honored at NBA’s 75th anniversary team halftime celebration & represented by his wife Vanessa Bryant pic.twitter.com/ddjBOeOxjM
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) February 21, 2022
In addition, Vanessa was also on hand because this year’s games marked the first time the All-Star Game MVP award was re-designed to honor Kobe and to present the inaugural Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award.
Vanessa Bryant presents CP3 with the inaugural Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award pic.twitter.com/I0SkmkyfCy
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 21, 2022
The Kobe Bryant All-Star Game MVP trophy
Photo via Vanessa Bryant pic.twitter.com/In5EE0PT2K
— Kobe & Gianna Bryant Murals (@kobemurals) February 20, 2022
When Vanessa was shown on TV on Sunday, some fans noticed something odd:
I thought wearing black was supposed to be slimming?
— L.A. Life (@HardToExpLAne) February 21, 2022
Is she pregnant???
— pelamela (@ilovetwitu) February 21, 2022
Vanessa Bryant looks pregnant pic.twitter.com/WvtLtdkntD
— Almighty Trav (@Almightytrav13) February 21, 2022
Vanessa Bryant is pregnant for sure
— Cory Cooper (@King_CoopALoop) February 21, 2022
My Wife Thinks Vanessa Bryant Is Pregnant!!!
— It’s Probably Me (901)!!! (@Chuck92732630) February 21, 2022
Understandably, other fans had some strong reactions to these claims and observations.
Why are people trippin about Vanessa Bryant possibly being pregnant??? That woman been through sooo much. Let her live
— Lo_k3y (@Lo_K3yfit) February 21, 2022
You losers blasting #vanessabryant for her looks? Or that she’s pregnant? Wow what a messed up world we live in. This woman shows up to every event to keep #KobeBryant and #gigibryant legacy alive. This pic was recently taken right before the superbowl. Enough said! pic.twitter.com/LoaNRdxB9a
— Ozzie_O (@C3POscar) February 21, 2022
People sitting on Twitter talking about Vanessa Bryant’s weight…
Whether she’s pregnant, large or wearing a big coat is no one’s business. She’s beautiful and brave.
I hope you never, EVER have to be publicly ridiculed.Something tells me you wouldn’t be able to take it.
— Kelli Fields (@Kelli_Fields) February 21, 2022
Vanessa Bryant is not pregnant. She has picked up weight. I saw it during the HOF Enshrinement speech. Still gorgeous. pic.twitter.com/qs3NO6tcre
— Grissette Norman (@GrissetteNorman) February 21, 2022
Y’all are way too concerned about Vanessa’s weight. And if she is pregnant…so what? That’s not our business. https://t.co/WnP5LDJvMS
— Legally Loc’d (@Twatch_Me_Workk) February 21, 2022
Clearly the internet is gonna internet. No matter how sensitive the topic is.
Big picture, though – Vanessa has been and continues to be Los Angeles royalty. Between saving Kobe’s diehard fans from scams, bringing shady cops to justice and keeping her weird mom in line, the Bryant family matriarch is incredibly strong. And she proves it each and every day.
The video speaks for itself. https://t.co/DkNoVxeQHA
— Game 7 (@game7__) February 20, 2022
Vanessa has never let the online noise get to her before, and that is unlikely to change any time soon.
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A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
