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Kobe Bryant's Daughter Natalia Bryant Graduates College From USC
Natalia Bryant can feel time moving—but Taylor Swift is right there with her.
In fact, the Grammy winner made a rare return to TikTok to celebrate Natalia’s graduation from the University of Southern California, liking a video the 22-year-old shared in her dress and stole.
In the May 19 clip, Natalia—the oldest daughter of Vanessa Bryant and the late Kobe Bryant—stands with her arms wrapped around three friends as they sing along to Taylor’s “Nothing New,” mouthing the words, “How can a person know everything at 18 but nothing at 22? And will you still want me when I’m nothing new?”
Taylor’s like of the video marks her first activity on TikTok since the end of her Eras Tour in December, after almost two years on the road.
And, of course, Swifties were quick to notice the activity, with one user commenting on Natalia’s video, “TAYLOR LIKED IT, this is such a cute sign of life.” Another simply noted, “MOTHER IS ACTIVE AGAIN.”
It should come as no surprise, though, that Taylor returned in order to celebrate Natalia’s graduation. After all, it’s no secret the whole Kobe family are big Swifties—something Natalia said she inherited from both parents.
“Both my parents, absolutely," Natalia revealed to E! News' The Rundown host Erin Lim Rhodes at Revolve Festival in 2024. "I actually found my original concert t-shirt from Taylor Swift's like first concert. I still have it."
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic & Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
In fact, prior to his death in the 2020 helicopter crash—which also killed his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others—Kobe was known to listen to Taylor’s music as a source of inspiration.
"I think it's important to listen to people who do great things," the NBA star shared during a 2019 appearance on The Jordan Harbinger Show. "Taylor's been at the top of the game for a very, very long time."
Kobe continued, "I don't care if you like her music or don't like her music, look at what she's doing. It's frightening. It's unbelievable to be able to pull that off over and over, and so I look at things like that to try and learn from them as much as I can."
So, when Vanessa attended the Eras Tour in August 2023 with Natalia as well as daughters Bianka, 8, and Capri, 5, she made sure to include Kobe in the outing in the form of a jean jacket bearing his image on the back.
Following the concert, Vanessa wrote on social media, “We love you @taylorswift.”
For more of the Bryant family’s sweetest moments together, keep reading.
ndrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Family Portrait
The basketball star posed with his parents Joe Bryant and Pamela Bryant after winning the NBA Championship on June 19, 2000.
Chris Covatta/NBAE via Getty Images
Father-Son Moment
The duo were all smiles while posing for a portrait in November 2000.
Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Baby On-the-Way
Vanessa showed off her baby bump at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala in Los Angeles.
Birthdays
"Happy Birthday B.B. I Can't believe you are 3 already!" Kobe wrote on Instagram back in December 2019. "We love you little mamacita."
Pool Time
"My Bianka Bella Bryant (BBB)," Kobe wrote on Instagram back in November 2019.
Thanksgiving
"Happy Thanksgiving! Thankful for my family!" Kobe wrote via Instagram back in November 2019.
Halloween
The Bryants dressed up as characters from The Wizard of Oz back in October 2019.
"My Gigi"
"My Gigi," Kobe wrote on Instagram back in September 2019.
Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
Love & Basketball
The father-daughter duo sat courtside at the the Lakers vs Mavericks game at the Staples Center in 2019.
Lots of Hugs
"@vanessabryant surprised me by bringing our two little babies B.B and KoKo to my @granity book signing of #legacyandthequeen at @barnesandnoble," the caption of the September 2019 post read.
Mother's Day
"Happy Mother's Day @vanessabryant we love you and thank you for all that you do for our family," Kobe wrote on Instagram back in May 2019, about a month before Capri's birth. "You are the foundation of all that we hold dear. I love you #mybaby #lioness #mamabear #queenmamba."
A Father-Daughter Duo
"Had a great trip to @uconnwbb for senior night and the retirement of basketball legend @promise50 with my baby Gigi," Kobe wrote on Instagram in March 2019. "Thank you Gampel, Thank you Coach Geno and Cd for the warm welcome. Good luck the rest of the way."
Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
Basketball Buddies
Kobe and Gianna Bryant shared a special moment at a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks.
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Family Fun
Vanessa, Kobe, Natalia and Gianna attended the world premiere of A Wrinkle in Time in Los Angeles back in 2018.
Smiles in the Sunshine
"Surprise family trip to Cabo for my bday #bryantbunch #40 #queenmamba #mambacitas," the caption of the 2018 post read.
AP/Shutterstock
Fond Memories
Kobe and his family members attended a women's basketball game in Los Angeles back in 2017.
Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
An Unforgettable Moment
Kobe was all smiles as he posed with his family members during his jersey retirement ceremony in 2017. Magic Johnson was also there.
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
A Dad and His Daughters
Kobe attended the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards with Vanessa, Gianna and Natalia in 2016.
Joe Russo/Shutterstock
A Loving Family
Here, the family members were pictured at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
All Smiles
Bryant celebrated his major win with his daughter Gianna by his side.
Elsa/Getty Images
Hugs and Kisses
Warming up! The basketball icon got a sweet hug from his daughter ahead of his game at the NBA All-Star Game in 2016.
David Livingston/Getty Images
A Proud Father
Kobe's wife and daughters attended his hand and footprint ceremony in Hollywood, California back in 2011.
Paul Hiffmeyer/Disney via Getty Images
A Day at Disney
Kobe, his wife and their daughters celebrated the Lakers' NBA championship at Disneyland in 2010.
Richard Vogel/AP/Shutterstock
A Winning Team
The basketball star celebrated a Lakers victory with Vanessa and the kids at a parade in Los Angeles back in 2009.
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
"Daddy's Little Princesses"
During a 2017 interview with Extra, Kobe referred to his daughters as "Daddy's little princesses." Here, he was pictured with Vanessa and Natalia in 2007.
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