Kobe Bryant’s Death Shocks Hollywood: ‘I Cannot Believe This Is Real’
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Shock took over Hollywood upon the news that Kobe Bryant, 41, died Sunday in an helicopter accident outside of Calabasas, Calif. Bryant was one of nine people, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, who died on board his private helicopter.
Former President Barack Obama, Kanye West, Jamie Foxx, Chrissy Teigen and John Legend were among those who shared their disbelief over the news on social media.
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“Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act,” Obama wrote on Twitter. “To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.”
West shared a photo in the recording studio with Bryant and said, “Kobe, We love you brother. We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave.”
Kobe, We love you brother
We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave pic.twitter.com/pxbgLOOmpY
— ye (@kanyewest) January 26, 2020
Fox took to Instagram, also posting a photo of Bryant and his family. “Just can’t take this one,” Foxx captioned the picture. “Sending up prayers to your beautiful family. This hurt for a lifetime… @kobebryant you will be missed for eternity. REST IN POWER.”
A post shared by Jamie Foxx (@iamjamiefoxx) on Jan 26, 2020 at 12:30pm PST
Teigen expressed similar sentiments, saying, “I cannot believe this is real. My god. Oh my god.” Her husband, John Legend, wrote, “I’m so sad and stunned right now. In Staples Arena, where Kobe created so many memories for all of us, preparing to pay tribute to another brilliant man we lost too soon, Nipsey Hussle. Life can be so brutal and senseless sometimes. Hold on to your loved ones. We miss you, Kobe.”
I cannot believe this is real. My god. Oh my god.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) January 26, 2020
I'm so sad and stunned right now. In Staples Arena, where Kobe created so many memories for all of us, preparing to pay tribute to another brilliant man we lost too soon, Nipsey Hussle. Life can be so brutal and senseless sometimes. Hold on to your loved ones. We miss you, Kobe
— John Legend (@johnlegend) January 26, 2020
Bryant, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers for most of his storied career, was regarded as an icon in the Southern California community. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti issued a statement, saying, “Kobe Bryant was a giant who inspired, amazed, and thrilled people everywhere with his incomparable skill on the court — and awed us with his intellect and humility as a father, husband, creative genius, and ambassador for the game he loved. He will live forever in the heart of Los Angeles, and will be remembered through the ages as one of our greatest heroes. This is a moment that leaves us struggling to find words that express the magnitude of shock and sorrow we are all feeling right now, and I am keeping Kobe’s entire family in my prayers at this time of unimaginable grief.”
Fellow NBA legend Shaq found it hard to express his devastation. “There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice [sic] Gigi & my brother @kobebryant,” Shaq said. “I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW.”
There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/pigHywq3c1
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020
Ellen DeGeneres also offered her condolences, writing, “Like everyone, I’m stunned and saddened by the news about Kobe Bryant. My heart is broken for his wife and family.”
Like everyone, I’m stunned and saddened by the news about Kobe Bryant. My heart is broken for his wife and family.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 26, 2020
Reese Witherspoon paid her respects on social media, offering support to Bryant’s family. “Just devastated to hear about #KobeBryant. An extraordinary athlete, and a genuinely kind, wonderful man. Sending love, prayers & compassion to his family. To his entire @NBA family as well,” she wrote on Twitter.
Just devastated to hear about #KobeBryant .💔An extraordinary athlete, and a genuinely kind, wonderful man. Sending love, prayers & compassion to his family. To his entire @NBA family as well.
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) January 26, 2020
Justin Bieber posted an old photo with Bryant on Instagram, writing, “It can’t be. You always encouraged me mamba. Gave me me some of the best quotes that we smile about to this day.! Love you man!”
A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) on Jan 26, 2020 at 12:20pm PST
Disney CEO Bob Iger called the news “hard to process.” He wrote, “Today we @WaltDisneyCo mourn the tragic loss of @kobebryant…a giant in sports and a person so full of life. Terrible news and so hard to process….”
Today we @WaltDisneyCo mourn the tragic loss of @kobebryant…a giant in sports and a person so full of life. Terrible news and so hard to process….
— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) January 26, 2020
Like Garcetti, Mindy Kaling recognized Bryant as a vital member of the Los Angeles community. “#KobeBryant you were the greatest,” Kaling said. “You made our city and the rest of the world so proud. Every basketball fan knew the magnificence of the Mamba. Love and healing to Vanessa and those little girls. God, this is just the worst ever.”
#KobeBryant you were the greatest. You made our city and the rest of the world so proud. Every basketball fan knew the magnificence of the Mamba. Love and healing to Vanessa and those little girls. God, this is just the worst ever.
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) January 26, 2020
Taylor Swift also took to Twitter in remembrance of Bryant. “My heart is in pieces hearing the news of this unimaginable tragedy,” she wrote. “I can’t fathom what the families are going through. Kobe meant so much to me and to us all. Sending my prayers, love, and endless condolences to Vanessa and the family and anyone who lost someone on that flight.”
My heart is in pieces hearing the news of this unimaginable tragedy. I can’t fathom what the families are going through. Kobe meant so much to me and to us all. Sending my prayers, love, and endless condolences to Vanessa and the family and anyone who lost someone on that flight.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) January 26, 2020
Fellow basketball star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar posted a somber video processing the news. “Most people will remember Kobe as the magnificent athlete who inspired a whole generation of basketball players. But I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete,” he said.
Most people will remember Kobe as the magnificent athlete who inspired a whole generation of basketball players. But I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete. pic.twitter.com/9EZuwk8wrV
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) January 26, 2020
Khloe Kardashian, a Calabasas native, wrote, “Please don’t let this be true. I’m shaking.”
Please don’t let this be True. I’m shaking 💔
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) January 26, 2020
Actor Jeffrey Wright offered his regards, writing, “Kobe literally just broke the internet. Life is just so beyond our capacity to control. May his loved ones and those of all who perished find peace.”
Kobe literally just broke the internet.
Life is just so beyond our capacity to control. May his loved ones and those of all who perished find peace.
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) January 26, 2020
Read more reactions below:
Kobe was truly larger than life, a legend. May he and all those who lost their lives today rest in peace. Love and condolences to his family. LA will never be the same.
— Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) January 26, 2020
My💔Goes Out To Kobe’s Family,Friends,Fans. It’s SO HARD To Deal With The Death Of a GREAT STAR,Because We Feel As If We Knew Them Personally.Kobe Bryant Was a GREAT ATHLETE,& All Of America Will Feel His Loss.
The 🌎 Has Lost a Bright Light ✨🌟✨.— Cher (@cher) January 26, 2020
This is heartbreaking. Rest In Peace Kobe.
— Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) January 26, 2020
RIP Kobe! My thoughts and prayers are wirh your family.
— octavia spencer (@octaviaspencer) January 26, 2020
We can never forget how precious life is. How those who are special to you and never let them forget how deeply you love them
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 26, 2020
Kobe and Gianna may your souls and the souls of the others who were with you Rest In Peace. My condolences and prayers go out to Kobe’s wife Vanessa, his daughters and the Bryant Family. I Love You Kobe and will miss you dearly.
— Rick Fox (@RickFox) January 27, 2020
rest in peace Kobe 🕊 pic.twitter.com/YtlMAVJHIJ
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) January 26, 2020
Rest In Peace Kobe! My heart broken ❤️
— Gucci Mane (@gucci1017) January 26, 2020
Sending my love to Laker fans everywhere. Life can be so short. Hug your kids and call your parents and let your friends know you love them #kobe
— Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) January 26, 2020
Same. This is just…💔#RIPKobeBryant
I’m telling y’all life is short and it is NOT about what we think it is.
Get right. Do right. Be right.
Love folks.Love is it.
Love is all we’ve got.
Our love is all that will remain when we’re gone.Especially when we’re gone too soon. https://t.co/5Imz4rbfXX
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) January 26, 2020
Gods don’t die. pic.twitter.com/tJJFyQeTul
— SAFDIE (@JOSH_BENNY) January 26, 2020
What terrible tragic news. Shit. Rest in power Kobe.
— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) January 26, 2020
RIP Kobe, hero to many including my grandson, extraordinary athlete and always kind to me & my family. My deepest condolences to his family
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) January 26, 2020
RIP Kobe. This is heartbreaking
unbelievable— Khalid (@thegreatkhalid) January 26, 2020
WTFF REALLY HOPE THIS IS A MISUNDERSTANDING
— nope (@LilNasX) January 26, 2020
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