Looks like USC has another celebrity daughter among its graduates. First, Sasha Obama graduated in 2023, with a degree in sociology. Now Natalia Bryant, the eldest daughter of the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant, has graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California’s prestigious School of Cinematic Arts.
The 22-year-old, who was the first of Kobe’s four daughters with his wife Vanessa, paid tribute to her father during the commencement ceremony. She wore a red graduation stole embroidered with his Black Mamba sheath logo and the message, “Thank you Mom & Dad.” Her mother, Vanessa, 43, was by her side and documented the event on her Instagram page.
Vanessa shared photos of her daughter in her graduation look, “We’re so proud of you!” Natalia responded with a simple, “Love you!!!”
In a further nod to her father, Los Angeles Lakers president and the team’s majority owner, Jeannie Buss, handed Natalia her diploma, drawing a thank you from Natalia on her mother’s page.
Natalia also included her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, on her graduation sash. A very low-key Ciara attended the graduation to support Vanessa, her longtime friend. Celebrities in Vanessa’s and Natalia’s comments celebrating her accomplishment included La La Anthony, Michael B. Jordan, Tina Knowles, Monica, Ava DuVernay, fellow USC graduate Storm Reid, USC basketball star JuJu Watkins, Matt Barnes, Kris Jenner, Zoe Saldana, and Apollonia Kotero.
“If someone says [being a full-time student] is not difficult, they’re lying, because it is,” Natalia told People in 2024. “That in itself is a full-time job.” She added, “But I do think that having a great support team, family and friends, has been the most important thing.”
Natalia lost her father and 13-year-old sister, Gianna, in a helicopter crash in January 2020 that killed seven others. Vanessa and Kobe shared two other daughters, Bianka, now 8, and Capri, 5. Gianna would have turned 19 this month.
With her newly minted degree, Natalia has said that she wants to make movies exploring coming-of-age themes surrounding young women. She told Town & Country last year that Sofia Coppola and Barbie director Greta Gerwig were among her inspirations. She already has a side hustle while pursuing her filmmaking dreams – Natalia is signed to IMG Models and made her runway debut with Versace at Milan Fashion Week in 2024.
“Natalia has always been able to accomplish anything she sets her mind to,” Vanessa told T&C. “Whether she’s at home with us, with her friends, at work, or at school, Natalia always stays present and passionate in the face of any challenge. I’m so proud of everything she’s achieved and impressed by the kind, smart, and beautiful young woman I’ve seen her become.”