WATCH: Taylor Swift’s Heartwarming Gesture to Kobe Bryant’s Daughter Bianka at Eras Tour in LA
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Instagram/Vanessa Byrant | Emma McIntyre/TAS23/Getty Images
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour may be wrapping up in the United States, but she still has a couple of surprises up her sleeve. The ‘Anti-Hero’ singer revealed a memorable moment on stage last night (Aug 3) when she gave Kobe Bryant’s daughter, Bianka, her ’22’ hat in front of millions. Even more poignant, Vanessa Byrant, the mother, was in the crowd to witness the compassionate gesture. It transpired at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where Taylor Swift was performing her most recent sold-out event. The 33-year-old wore a sparkling white t-shirt dress, black shorts, and a pork pie hat as she sang ’22’ before thousands of Swifties. As a result of her blockbuster pop song, this legendary dress inspired the same-named music video and has become one of her most recognizable looks.
Taylor Swift shares special moment with Kobe Bryant’s daughter Bianka, giving her the “22” hat at the Eras Tour in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/XpmDa41XC8
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) August 4, 2023
It was understandable that Bianka was taken aback when she saw the star perform a song mere feet away from her. The night, however, was about to get even more remarkable when Taylor Swift recognized the little girl in the crowd of people. She knelt and then placed the ’22’ hat on Bianka’s head prior to giving her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. It’s even more heartwarming given that Vanessa Bryant has been a Swiftie for years. Prior to the sold-out show, she shared her wardrobe on Instagram, showcasing off a jean jacket she intended to wear. It read ‘Swift’ in bedazzled letters and featured a portrait of the basketball legend and Byrant’s late husband, Kobe.
— z. (@bazIenka) August 4, 2023
An Eras Tour Special Moment: Taylor Swift Gives Kobe Bry ant’s Daughter Bianka Her ’22’ Hat
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Swift was joined by a slew of special guests during the second of six gigs at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, including Sarah Paulson, Ashley Tisdale, Hayley Kiyoko, Vanessa Lachey, Lizzy McAlpine, and others. Longtime friends, the Bryant family, are also in attendance. Taylor Swift gave six-year-old Bianka a hug and kiss as she awarded her the hat, which is part of an outfit borrowed from the song video before the event ended while performing her cult hit “22.” Swift previously gave the hat to Selena Gomez’s sister. Swifties replied by exclaiming, “NO I AM ACTUALLY CRYING”, “the cheek kiss I’m sobbing”, and “I am definitely crying like a baby”. Swifties have long been a part of the Bryant family. Swift sent Natalia Bryant a replica of the “folklore” cardigan in 2020. Natalia posted the cardigan on Instagram, saying she was “obsessed” with the album. Swift sent Vanessa Bryant a special Midnight present in response to the release of her new album.
Vanessa uploaded a photo of a tailored jacket she intended to wear on Instagram last night, before of the presentation in Los Angeles. It read ‘Swift’ in bedazzled letters and featured a portrait of her and Bryant’s late spouse, Kobe Bryant. The front featured a line from Swift’s 1989 single “Wildest Dreams”: “Say You’ll Remember Me.” The photo of Taylor Swift and Bryant was shot in 2015, during the 1989 tour, when the five-time champion took the time to thank Taylor Swift for breaking the record for most sold out shows’ in the history of the Staples Centre, now known as the Cryto.com arena. The NBA player even posted a photo from the event, recalling the moment Swift’s banner was honored at the stadium. “Friends hang from time to time, but banners hang forever @taylorswift,” he said in the post. Unfortunately, it would be the last time the two met, as Kobe died in a helicopter crash with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, just five years later.
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