Vanessa Bryant Responds To Mother's "More Than Painful" Accusations: Report

BY Erika Marie 36.5K Views
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Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant, Sofia Laine, Gianna Bryant, Univision, Interview
She & Kobe reportedly supported her mother for 20 years & gave her monthly alimony, but Vanessa claims her mother wasn't supportive after Kobe and Gianna's deaths.

An already tragic year has become even more upsetting for Vanessa Bryant. In January, the basketball wife lost husband Kobe Bryant and their 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant in a helicopter accident that also took the lives of seven other people. Last week, we reported on the news that Vanessa's mother, Sofia Laine, sat down with reporters and accused her daughter of not only kicking her out of her home, but taking Sofia's car away from her, as well. Today (September 21), Sofia's full interview aired on Univision, and Vanessa Bryant reportedly issued a statement regarding her mother's allegations.

“My husband and daughter passed away unexpectedly, and yet my mother had the audacity to do a television interview speaking negatively of me while shedding tears for a car and a house that were not in her name,” Vanessa reportedly said. “She has removed all her diamond jewelery, emptied the apartment I provided, and put away the furniture to make it look like she doesn’t have my support. My husband and I have supported her financially for the past 20 years, and continue to do so, in addition to her monthly alimony."

Vanessa also added that her mother "has not been physically present or emotionally supportive" since Kobe and Gianna passed away. “Now I see what is most important to my mother and it’s more than painful." Her statement closed with Vanessa Bryant hoping that this interview would be the last that her mother gives and the disclosure of their "personal information ends here."

[via]


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.