Natalia Bryant, Vanessa Bryant.Photo:Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Natalia Bryanthas certainly taken after her late father,Kobe Bryant.
The model and University of Southern California student, 20, opened up about continuing the legacy of her dad’s “mamba mentality” mindset in a new interview withElle, explaining that the phrase simply means that one is “constantly trying to be the best version” of themselves.
“It’s putting your best foot forward 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.”
Natalia Bryant speaks at a ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in March 2023.JC Olivera/Getty
JC Olivera/Getty
“I spend time with the 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 that put me in a much better headspace. I think it’s important to focus on the positive aspects life has to offer.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Natalia lost her father, Kobe, and13-year-old younger sister Gianna, when the two died tragically in a January 2020 helicopter crash along with seven other people. Since then, Natalia and her family have continued to honor the pair withstatues,basketball courts, ahandprint ceremonyand, most recently, when Natalia tossed the first pitch at aLos Angeles Dodgers home game.
On the mound, Natalia wore a Dodgers jersey with one of her dad’s Lakers numbers (No. 8) embroidered on it. She also paired the uniform with blue Kobe Nike sneakers.
Natalia’s mother,Vanessa Bryant, and sistersCapri Kobe, 4, andBianka Bella, 6, also celebrated on the field — with Bianka also getting to yell out the ceremonial phrase, “It’s time for Dodger baseball,” before the game. The Dodgers organization gave the Bryant family a $100,000 check for their nonprofit, Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, which was launched in honor of Kobe and Gianna.
Estrop/Getty
As for Natalia, the model has been busy getting her career rolling after making herrunway debutduring the Versace Spring/Summer 2024 show, wearing a black cap sleeve midi dress with metallic shoes. The event marked her first runway sincesigning with IMG Modelsin 2021.
“I am beyond excited about making my runway debut. It’s such an incredible opportunity and I’m so grateful to Donatella and am honored that she has invited me to be a part of something so special,” Natalia toldVogue.
source: people.com
