Latest news with #MambasForever
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kobe and Gigi Bryant's Mural Is Vandalized for the Second Time in a Month. Now the Artist Says He's Moving It
A mural featuring Kobe and Gigi Bryant has been vandalized again The installation, located in Downtown Los Angeles, was targeted with spray paint shortly after its restoration was completed last week The artist, Sloe Motions, now says he will move the tribute to another locationA mural depicting the late Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna has been vandalized for the second time in a span of a month. The mural, located in Downtown Los Angeles, was tagged with white spray paint after it was restored to its pre-vandalized state on Friday, May 30, according to KNBC-TV. The 'Mambas Forever' mural on Main and 14th Street by Los Angeles-based artist Sloe Motions was first vandalized in April. The artist, whose real name is Louie Palsino, told the news station that he will now work to move the installation to another location. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'Everything happens for a reason and we now want to reach out and get this piece done in collaboration with another business or foundation, all donated by us and no charge to the new location,' Palsino said in a statement. 'The project will be better than the last with a proper wall, whether indoor or outdoor, for our community and people to appreciate.' The artwork depicts Kobe in his Lakers uniform kissing his daughter Gigi, who holds a basketball. The words "Mambas Forever" are written next to them. Shortly after the mural was initially vandalized, Palsino established a GoFundMe to help with restoration — and Lakers star Luka Dončić promptly donated the entire $5,000 goal. "Kobe is L.A. He and Gigi mean so much to this city, to the Lakers organization and to me personally," Dončić said in a statement at the time. "I'm happy to do anything to help make sure he and his daughter are honored." For Palsino, the incidents are not only marring his own tribute to the basketball icon, but also he fears they are affecting Bryant's legacy, he told CBS affiliate KCAL-TV. "We didn't want that disrespect to L.A. right here, and for people to see that, especially Vanessa," he said. "Kobe has brought nothing but light and insight and inspiration to the youth." Read the original article on People
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Luka Doncic donates $5,000 to restore vandalized Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant mural in downtown Los Angeles
Luka Doncic showed his support by spending $5,000 to restore a vandalized mural. The mural, 'Mambas Forever,' at 14th and Main streets in downtown Los Angeles was spoiled with graffiti and Doncic expressed his anger and had the artwork repaired quickly. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The donation not only paid for the restoration but also showed how much he respects Bryant and wants to help the Los Angeles community. Luka Doncic's donation restores defaced 'Mambas Forever' mural The "Mambas Forever" mural, crafted by artist Louie Palsino (known as Sloe Motions) back in 2020, became a beloved homage after the tragic passing of Kobe and Gianna Bryant in a helicopter crash. The piece illustrated Kobe in his Lakers uniform, tenderly holding Gianna, who was grasping a basketball, with the words "Mambas Forever" painted in purple and gold. The mural had been left alone until it was recently marred by black and white graffiti, covering much of the original design. In response, Palsino initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise $5,000 for its restoration. Doncic's quick donation took care of the entire sum, allowing restoration efforts to kick off immediately. Having joined the Lakers less than three months ago from the Dallas Mavericks, Doncic voiced his strong admiration for Bryant. "Kobe is L.A. He and Gigi mean so much to this city, to the Lakers organization, and to me personally," Doncic stated. "I'm happy to do anything to help make sure he and his daughter are honored." Artist Louie Palsino showed appreciation for Doncic's backing, saying, "I'd like to say thank you to Luka, and I'm proud he is a Laker now and representing Los Angeles. I know Kobe is proud." Also Read: Donating to fix the 'Mambas Forever' mural, Luka Doncic shows both his respect for Kobe and Gianna Bryant and his dedication to helping LA. Because of his commitment, this tribute lives on for fans, connecting him even more closely with people in LA who treasure the Bryants' impact.
Epoch Times
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Epoch Times
Lakers Star Donates $5,000 to Restore Vandalized Kobe, Gianna Bryant Mural
LOS ANGELES—Lakers star Luka Doncic donated $5,000 on April 29 to fund the restoration of a vandalized downtown Los Angeles mural depicting team legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. The mural, titled 'Mambas Forever,' is on the side of a building at the corner of 14th and Main streets. The mural by artist Sloe Motions, whose real name is Louie Palsino, was one of the first created following the 2020 death of Bryant and Gianna in a Calabasas helicopter crash. The vandalism is believed to have occurred over the weekend, with graffiti covering much of the artwork. Palsino created a GoFundMe On Tuesday morning, Doncic donated the full $5,000 to the page. 'Kobe is L.A.,' Doncic said in a statement released by the Luka Doncic Foundation. 'He and Gigi mean so much to this city, to the Lakers organization and to me personally. I'm happy to do anything to help make sure he and his daughter are honored.' Related Stories 1/25/2025 11/3/2024 It was unclear how long the restoration effort would take. Palsino wrote on the GoFundMe page that all donations would go 'directly towards the materials needed for the restoration process, including high-quality paints, sealants and other essential supplies.' 'The Kobe & Gigi mural holds a special place in our hearts, symbolizing strength, legacy, and love,' Palsino wrote. 'By contributing to this cause, you are helping preserve a piece of art that continues to uplift and inspire our community.' Kobe Bryant won five NBA championships and played his entire career with the Lakers. Police have not identified any suspects in the vandalism.
CNN
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Luka Dončić donates entire cost of restoring vandalized Kobe Bryant mural in downtown Los Angeles
Luka Dončić has stepped up to pay the entire expected cost of restoring a vandalized mural depicting Kobe and Gigi Bryant in downtown Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Lakers' new guard made a $5,000 donation Tuesday to cover the entire goal of a GoFundMe page created by artist Louie Palsino. He wants to restore the mural, titled 'Mambas Forever,' at 14th and Main streets. 'It was always important to give back to the community,' Dončić said after practice at the Lakers' training complex. 'They gave me so much, so I just want to give back.' The Slovenian superstar joined the Lakers less than three months ago in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks. He teamed with LeBron James to lead the Lakers to the Pacific Division title and the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, but Los Angeles is on the brink of elimination Wednesday night when the Minnesota Timberwolves visit for Game 5 with a 3-1 series lead. Bryant spent his entire 20-year career with the Lakers, winning five championships and becoming the top scorer in franchise history. After Kobe and Gigi Bryant died in a helicopter crash in January 2020, hundreds of murals and public art projects honoring them sprung up around Southern California.
New York Post
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Lakers star Luka Dončić makes touching gesture after Kobe Bryant mural was vandalized
Lakers star Luka Dončić made a touching gesture after one of the murals honoring late basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi had been vandalized in Downtown Los Angeles. The mural, created by artist Sloe Motions, served as one of the many tributes dotted around the city following the helicopter crash that killed the father-daughter duo and 7 others in 2020. The image showed Bryant planting a kiss on his daughter's forehead alongside the text 'Mambas Forever' — referencing Bryant's 'Black Mamba' nickname. 5 Luka Dončić made a touching gesture after one of the murals honoring late basketball legend Kobe Bryant had been vandalized. NBAE via Getty Images The artwork, which is plastered on the wall of a custom t-shirt shop, is located less than a mile away from the Lakers' Arena. On Monday, the artist took to Instagram to share heartbreaking before and after images of the mural after it was covered with white spray paint. As a result, the artist set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for a restoration. Shortly after launching the crowdfunding page, the Slovenian basketball star generously donated the fundraiser's entire $5,000 goal. 5 The mural, created by artist Sloe Motions, served as one of the many tributes dotted around the city. Getty Images 5 The mural had been covered with white spray paint, prompting the artist to launch a GoFundMe page. KTLA 5/YouTube 'It was always important to give back to the community,' Dončić told AP after practice Tuesday. 'They gave me so much, so I just want to give back.' 'Kobe is L.A. He and Gigi mean so much to this city, to the Lakers organization and to me personally,' he went on. 'I'm happy to do anything to help make sure he and his daughter are honored.' After the touching gesture, Sloe Motions let his 137,000 followers know of Dončić's generosity. 5 Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gigi and 7 others were killed in a helicopter crash in 2020. Getty Images 'Update: @lukadoncic has made a generous donation to help cover the cost of restoring the Kobe and Gigi mural. 💜💛,' the artist wrote on social media. 'Can't spell Luka without the LA,' one person wrote in the comments section, while another added, 'Kobe murals are sacred. This means so much, thank you @lukadoncic 🫶💜✨🥹.' 'Luka the next lakers great for years to come 💜💛 big respect,' a third wrote. While Dončić only became a Laker in February following his blockbuster trade from the Mavericks, the athlete was lovingly featured in a Bryant mural earlier this year. 5 Dončić was lovingly featured in a Bryant mural in Los Angeles back in February. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images The artwork, shared on Instagram, showed him shaking hands with Bryant following a Mavericks game that he attended before his death. Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, six other passengers and a pilot died in a California helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2020.
