Kobe Bryant’s Daughter Natalia Gets into Loyola Marymount But Mom Vanessa Jokes It’s ‘Too Far’
Congratulations are in order for Natalia Bryant!
The 18-year-old has been accepted into Loyola Marymount University, Vanessa Bryant revealed on Instagram Thursday — but it doesn’t sound like the mother of four is ready to part with her eldest daughter quite yet.
“So glad you got accepted but too far… j/k,” Vanessa wrote atop a photo of the campus shared on her Instagram Story, tagging Natalia.
The Bryants live outside of Los Angeles County about an hour drive from LMU in Los Angeles. Natalia has also been accepted to the University of Oregon and applied to New York University and the University of Southern California.
When her daughter was accepted to NYU earlier this year, Vanessa revealed she wanted Natalia to stay in California.
“So cute. NYU is one of her top schools..@nataliabryant chose not to apply [early decision] to her top five schools. I will do my best to keep her in Cali just like I kept her daddy here. #CaliGirlForever,” Vanessa said on social media.
Natalia is up for a busy year ahead, as in addition to attending college (somewhere) soon, she recently launched her modeling career, signing with IMG Models Worldwide last month.
“I have always been interested in fashion since a very young age. I have a love for the industry and ever since I can remember I wanted to model,” she said in a statement on Feb. 8. “There is a lot to learn but I feel this is a great opportunity for me to learn and express myself creatively.”
Over the weekend, Vanessa expressed how proud she is of Natalia’s burgeoning modeling career — and also shared that dad Kobe Bryant would have proud as well.
Sharing a photo of Natalia on a recent shoot, Vanessa wrote in the caption, “My baby (with makeup) ?❤️ #grown @nataliabryant ❤️ “
“Daddy would be so happy that you’re pursuing your modeling career now that you’re 18,” Vanessa continued. “You’re beautiful inside and out. Beautiful with makeup and without makeup. We love you.”
Kobe died alongside his and Vanessa’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others in a tragic helicopter crash in January 2020. The couple also share Bianka, 4, and Capri, 20 months.
Earlier this month, Vanessa shared with PEOPLE how resilient Natalia has been since the tragedy, calling her eldest her “right-hand woman.”
“I’m extremely proud of Natalia,” Vanessa said in the Women Changing the World issue.
“On top of her own grief, she has balanced her senior year of high school, applying to colleges, nurturing her sisters, and just recently signing her own modeling contract with IMG,” she added. “She is a wonderful big sister and an incredible daughter.”
