Natalia Bryant Reveals How Late Father Kobe 'Inspired' Her Love For Filmmaking: 'I Want To Win An Oscar'
While Kobe Bryant was best known for his unrivaled skills on the basketball court, he also had a love for film, becoming the first African-American to win the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 2018 for Dear Basketball.
His adoration for behind-the-camera work is something he passed down to his eldest daughter, Natalia.
Now a freshman at USC, the 18-year-old opened up about her and her late father's mutual adoration for the entertainment industry in an interview with IMG Models, the industry she signed with in February.
"My dad and I would always watch as many movies as we can and we'd go on movie marathons. And then we'd always analyze as many movies as we can and we'd talk about it for months," she shared. "Anywhere we'd go we'd just keep talking about different films and how it, like, reminds us of where we are."
Their deep discussions "really inspired" the student, and soon enough, she said she had a realization of, "I want to do this forever."
Though the NBA superstar and his daughter Gianna passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020, Natalia is determined to keep his film legacy alive.
"In 10 years, I want to win an Oscar. I'm not sure for what, or for what Oscar category, but that's on my list," she declared. "And I want to make a film where I can incorporate fashion and those fashion aspects, and I think combining my two passions, that's just amazing. I want to be able to do that."
For the time being, the budding star is focusing on her classes and making new friends at USC. When mom Vanessa dropped her off on campus last month, the matriarch admitted that it was an emotional day.
Gianna, Vanessa, Kobe, Bianka and Natalia in 2017.
"Today was rough. (This was before the tears came down)," she captioned a set of photos on Instagram from move-in day. "Missing ✌🏽forever. I love you @nataliabryant BE EPIC and FIGHT ON. ❤️💛."
Vanessa was over the moon when in March, Natalia was accepted to USC.
"Tears of joy. I’m SO happy for you Nani! I know daddy is so PROUD OF YOU," she declared. "I am so PROUD OF YOU!! Your hard work and dedication was so worth it."
"You pushed through the most excruciating pain imaginable and you succeeded," she continued. "I wish Daddy and Gigi were physically here to celebrate but I know they’re here in spirit. We love you so much! #USC #Trojan #FightOn."