Hollywood’s elite, lead by Naomi Campbell, Drake, and Khloe Kardashian, have flocked online in their hundreds to commemorate Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, who were tragically killed in a helicopter crash.
The pair were two of five passengers killed in the crash in Calabasas, California this Sunday morning, which according to The Los Angeles Times, occurred at around 10am.
It’s believed the crew were travelling in foggy conditions when the accident occurred, causing a brush fire that initially halted rescue efforts.
Kobe, 41, was married to wife Vanessa since 2001, and they had four daughters – Gianna, aka Gigi, and then Natalia, 17, and Bianka, 3 and Capri, who was born last June.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
As the news of the legendary star’s death broke, Khloe was one of the first struggling to believe the news as she said: ‘ This can’t be real. there’s no way!!! My heart hurts.’
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7y-_25JXKc/?igshid=5d6tbpwqtna1
This can’t be real ???? there’s no way!!! My heart hurts
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) January 26, 2020
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
Her mother, Kris Jenner, added: ‘Devastated by the news of losing our precious Kobe Bryant. Words cannot express our sadness. All my deepest love and prayers are with Vanessa and Kobe’s family at this time.’
Vanessa Hudgens added: ‘If I what I see is true, I’m. So. Sad. Our black mamba went down in a helicopter and lost his life today. I’m devastated. Cryyyying. Sending so much love to vanessa and the kids.’
Cher was also sending love to both his family, friends and those who were saddened by the loss, as she wrote: ‘My [heart] 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 [world] Has Lost a Bright Light’
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who host the Oscar, also commemorated the star, who won an Oscar in 2018 for his animated short for Dear Basketball.
‘They doubted a kid could make it in the NBA and he proved them wrong,’ they wrote. ‘They doubted he could win a championship and he proved them wrong. They doubted he could make movies and he won an Oscar. Like all great artists, Kobe Bryant proved the doubters wrong. Rest in peace.’
They doubted a kid could make it in the NBA and he proved them wrong.
They doubted he could win a championship and he proved them wrong.
They doubted he could make movies and he won an Oscar.
Like all great artists, Kobe Bryant proved the doubters wrong.
Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/1fYnKHbnt7
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) January 26, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7y7QSHBzLf/?igshid=140sqptms5xpw
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
Chrissy Teigen spoke out and just simply said: ‘I cannot believe this is real. My god. Oh my god.’
Model Gigi Hadid said: ‘Shocked and heartbroken. Way too soon. Rest In Peace & Power, Legend- being a fan of yours brought so much joy to my life.
‘Sending my love, strength, and deepest condolences to the sweet Bryant family.’
Next to the tribute was a photo from her birthday as a child, where she’s seen blowing out candles on a cake dedicated to the LA Laker.
Taylor Swift added: ‘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.’
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7zA9NIFOyW/?igshid=1q1r2zzgmvhnc
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7zALA3HRXa/?igshid=1d0tx0uu3x0oq
Fellow basketball star Tristan Thompson was among the sports stars sharing their condolences as he remembered his friend and iconic star.
Sharing a photo of them together, he wrote: ‘I’m at a loss for words. I can’t believe this man. RIP Kobe and his daughter Gianna, it was a honor to be able to compete with you. Great player, even better person.’
Naomi Campbell was also among those devastated by the loss as she wrote: ‘Heartbreaking Waking up this morning to hear that you and one of your Angels are gone is devastating for us all beyond any words. My deepest condolences to the beautiful Bryant family.
‘May you Rise with the highest, and May your soul Rest in Power King.’
Walking Dead’s Jeffrey Dean Morgan added: ‘Getting on a plane to news about Kobe…. goddang. No words.’
Getting on a plane to news about Kobe…. goddang. No words. ❤️
— Jeffrey Dean Morgan (@JDMorgan) January 26, 2020
I cannot believe this is real. My god. Oh my god.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) January 26, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7y4oQ1hz-y/?igshid=1pblrnemtynd6
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7y5gWQAu6X/?igshid=d3eh8qfx1g4f
Others, including Romeo Beckham, have remembered him for his ‘legendary status’.
ASAP Rocky also sent his condolences and said: ‘RIP KOBE , SO SAD , SUCH A SAD DAY N SAD NEWS , WE LOVE U’
Singer Kehlani opted to pay tribute to the stars entire family, with a photo of the sports star beaming proudly at an event alongside his wife Vanessa and three of his four children.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7zAccsJ8rW/?igshid=a1blplzyd1t9
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7zAL7IlTrv/?igshid=ro2r394w3bjk
On hearing the news Cheryl wrote: ‘Oh my good god no. How utterly heart shattering. I cant stop thinking about his wife and children. Thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones at this devastating time.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted Kobe’s management for comment.
RIP KOBE , SO SAD , SUCH A SAD DAY N SAD NEWS , WE LOVE U
— LORD FLACKO JODYE II (@asvpxrocky) January 26, 2020
Real legend ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mNYKW541aS
— Aaron O’Chalmers (@AaronCGShore) January 26, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7zBigQnmV_/?igshid=n3qsgxyofbl8
The LA Lakers legend was confirmed dead by the LA County Sheriff’s department as one of five killed in a helicopter crash this morning.
The crash ignited a brush fire and made it difficult for firefighters and emergency personnel to get to the helicopter.
Bryant is one of the most successful basketball players of all time having won five NBA championships, 18 All-Star titles and scoring 33,643 points before retiring in 2016
Kylie Jenner shared a photo of Gianna in the arms of her dad, remembering them both as she wrote: ‘at loss for words right now. praying for this beautiful family.’
This Story is being updated.
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