Kobe Bryant's widow Vanessa addresses pregnancy rumors... five years on from NBA legend's tragic death
Vanessa Bryant has seemingly offered a strong rebuttal to the rumors that she is pregnant - five years on from her husband Kobe's death.
The Lakers icon and the couple's daughter, Gianna (Gigi), died along with seven others in a tragic helicopter crash in January 2020.
And more than a half-decade after the tragic accident, unfounded claims spread last week that Vanessa, 43, was pregnant with a fifth child. She and Kobe raised daughters Natalia, 22, Bianka, 8 and Capri, 5 and Gigi before his passing.
And in an apparent response to the pregnancy rumors, Vanessa posted several Instagram stories, including one of Rihanna holding a drink in one hand and her middle finger up in another while in a pool.
The picture, which Vanessa re-posted from another account, is captioned: 'Me protecting my peace, not pregnant & having fun all summer.'
The Instagram story was also set to Tupac Shakur's hit 'All Eyez on Me.'
Vanessa posted this to her Instagram story, seemingly squashing rumors she is pregnant
The Daily Mail has reached out to Vanessa's reps for comment.
Vanessa also shared a second picture of Rihanna - captioned 'I'm not mean I'm the one' - before sharing a post about how to 'impress' her.
'The only way to impress me, is by being a good person,' read the post, which was also re-shared from another account.
'I don't care what you have, what you wear, where you live, or what you drive. I just have deep respect for people with pure hearts and good intentions.
Last month, Vanessa celebrated what would have been Gigi's 19th birthday.
Vanessa made a touching post to Instagram as she remembered the aspiring basketball player, sharing a photo of her in her Mamba Sports Academy uniform.
'Happy birthday, Gigi!,' Vanessa wrote. 'Mommy loves and misses you more than I could ever express. I love you Gianna.'
Vanessa also gushed over Natalia a couple of weeks later as her and Kobe's eldest daughter graduated from the University of Southern California.
Natalia, who signed with IMG Models in 2021 and is pursuing a career as a film director, paid tribute to her dad by wearing the 'Black Mamba' symbol over her heart on her graduation sole.
Vanessa posted pictures and videos of Natalia in her graduation attire and wrote: 'We're so proud of you! #USC ✌️#GRAD #CumLaude'
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