Celebrities share grief after the untimely death of Kobe Bryant: 'I cannot believe this is real'
Basketball legend Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash on Sunday morning in Calabasas, Calif., Yahoo Sports has confirmed. TMZ was the first outlet to report the 41-year-old star’s death.
A father of four daughters — one of whom, 13-year-old Gianna, was also reportedly on board the fatal flight, along with her teammate and another parent — and winner of a Best Animated Short Oscar in 2018, Bryant’s death has sent shockwaves across the world, with stars like Cardi B, Ellen DeGeneres, Drake and Idris Elba sharing their tributes and messages of grief and shock. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, called reports of the athlete’s death “terrible news.”
Please don’t let this be True. I’m shaking 💔
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) January 26, 2020
Speechless... Praying for your soul and your family King! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾This s**t is surreal! 😢😢😢 Rest in Paradise Kobe!
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/iJDq0JCarb pic.twitter.com/YR573xoyqZ— OMAR EPPS (@omarepps) January 26, 2020
Rest In Peace Kobe! My heart broken ??
— Gucci Mane (@gucci1017) January 26, 2020
rest in peace Kobe 🕊 pic.twitter.com/YtlMAVJHIJ
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) January 26, 2020
I cannot believe this is real. My god. Oh my god.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) January 26, 2020
Downtown right now and nothing feels more unimportant than what we are doing today. This is absolutely terrible. Everyone is numb.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) January 26, 2020
We miss you already Kobe ????🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 26, 2020
Just got the AWFUL news about Kobe..... Man!!!!! I’m speechless.
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) January 26, 2020
rip :( pic.twitter.com/9wL6OdSSlv
— nope (@LilNasX) January 26, 2020
This is heartbreaking. Rest In Peace Kobe.
— Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) January 26, 2020
Kobe is G. Will always be remembered @kobebryant A Sad day.
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) January 26, 2020
Please dear god let this #kobe news not be real. I’m rocked
— MARIA MENOUNOS (@mariamenounos) January 26, 2020
Jesus this is heartbreaking.
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) January 26, 2020
RIP Kobe. This is heartbreaking
unbelievable— Khalid (@thegreatkhalid) January 26, 2020
Love is forever. pic.twitter.com/AtPuLwqtKf
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) January 26, 2020
To watch Kobe for hundreds of hours over the course his career, every highlight & triumph, every agony of defeat, to see such joy & discipline & talent & humanity, is to feel a part of his story in a deeply emotional way. Our family grieves for his. #ripkobe
— Sean Astin (@SeanAstin) January 26, 2020
I am completely speechless and devastated at the unexpected passing of my dear friend, @kobebryant. Kobe had a big heart and an even bigger love for the community of Los Angeles. Through his foundation, he changed the lives of so many people and families with his wife, Vanessa. pic.twitter.com/4zs4zcjcfe
— Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul) January 26, 2020
RIP Kobe! My thoughts and prayers are wirh your family.
— octavia spencer (@octaviaspencer) January 26, 2020
Like everyone, I’m stunned and saddened by the news about Kobe Bryant. My heart is broken for his wife and family.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 26, 2020
Just devastated to hear about #KobeBryant .💔An extraordinary athlete, and a genuinely kind, wonderful man. Sending love, prayers & compassion to his family. To his entire @NBA family as well.
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) January 26, 2020
He was great,charismatic & among the hardest-working athletes ever,but what impressed me most was how deeply-involved Kobe was with his 4 daughters. Pray for them, Vanessa, his parents & his fellow passengers' families on this sad and shocking day. We will never forget you Kobe
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) January 26, 2020
.?@JoeBiden? reacts to the news of ?@kobebryant?’s death at a campaign event in Des Moines
“It makes you realize you gotta make every day count.” pic.twitter.com/sYVQCSl2kp— Johnny Verhovek (@JTHVerhovek) January 26, 2020
His legend will live forever.#RIPKobeByrant 💔 pic.twitter.com/bsj37aIfdF
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) January 26, 2020
Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 26, 2020
There are no real words to convey the depth of my sadness. Love and strength to Kobe’s entire family and to the families of all who were lost in today’s crash. pic.twitter.com/HvL2m9NXJU
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) 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
I remember Kobe bringing his daughters to the WRINKLE IN TIME premiere and talking about its meaning for him as a father. He loved his girls so. LA weeps today, as do fans around the world. Goodbye, Kobe and Gianna. Our memories of you will live on and on. pic.twitter.com/rq2kEXPhOQ
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) January 26, 2020
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.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) January 26, 2020
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) January 26, 2020
The world lost a great man and a great champion. I feel so bad for his family. Breaks my heart. Athlete, writer, innovator, role model, #OneOfAKind pic.twitter.com/cp0n9GsAR4
— Sylvester Stallone (@TheSlyStallone) January 27, 2020
I had several celebratory moments with Kobe in 2018. I will treasure them always. He lit up any room he entered with his beautiful smile and spirit. My heart goes out to his family and friends. Rest In Peace 💙 #Kobe pic.twitter.com/ctcPCot8aX
— Allison Janney (@AllisonBJanney) January 27, 2020
So sad to hear about Kobe Bryant, his daughter and their friends. He was a great player and a very impressive human being. Sending many blessings and much love to all his family at this most difficult time. Love Paul pic.twitter.com/vkksHRbeQt
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) January 27, 2020
On Saturday, Bryant sent his last social media message, congratulating LeBron James for surpassing him and becoming third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother 💪🏾 #33644
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020
Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:
Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Entertainment & Lifestyle’s newsletter.
