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On Monday, February 24, the world gathered at the Staples Center in Los Angeles (home of the Los Angeles Lakers) to celebrate the lives of Kobe and Gianna Bryant . The memorial celebration, which is open to the public, is looking to honor the legacy of the former NBA player, his Mambacita and the seven others that lost their lives in the early morning of Sunday, January 26, in Calabasas, California. Kobe and Gianna are survived by Vanessa Bryant and her three daughters Natalia, 17, Bianka, three, and Capri, eight-months-old. Proceeds of the memorial celebration’s ticket sales will be going to the Mamba & Mambacita Foundation.
© @t_simien / TIDALBeyoncé kicks off the celebration memorial
Beyoncé beginnings the service by singing Kobe’s favorite song XO and falled it with an updated version of her song Halo.
© GettyImagesJimmy Kimmel gives an emotional speech
The comedian shared that he struggled to find something positive to share, but shared, that gratitude was the one feeling that resonated with him.
“Gratitude. Seems to me that all we can do is be grateful for the time we had with them and the time we have with each other” explained Jimmy.
© GettyImagesVanessa Bryant honors Kobe and Gianna
The mother-of-four goes into detail about life she shared with her “amazingly sweet” daughter and her “MVP of Girl Dads” hubby.
© @vanessabryantVanessa reveals Gianna\'s sweet hobby
In her speech, Vanessa revealed that “Gigi” loved to bake and how she could bake “professional looking” cakes. For one of Kobe’s birthdays, Gianna baked him a cake with fondant and lots of decorations. Vanessa shared that the 13-year-old loved watching Cupcake Wars.
© GettyImagesDiana Taurasi remembers her relationship with Kobe and Gigi
Kobe had named Diana the White Mamba and shared a close relationship with her. The basketball player shares how Kobe inspired her to play basketball and reveals how Gigi was the “future of the WNBA.”
© GettyImagesBest friend Rob Pelinka gives insight on Kobe and Vanessa’s love
“Kobe’s love for Vanessa was the energy of his life,” revealed Rob. He shared how Kobe would confide in him about all the romantic things he would plan for Vanessa.
© GettyImagesAlicia Keys plays Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight Sonata’
Alicia took to the stage to play Vanessa and Kobe’s favorite song Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven — a song that Kobe learned to play by ear for Vanessa.
© GettyImagesMichael Jordan remembers his ‘big brother, little brother’ relationship with Kobe
The former Chicago Bulls player reminisced on how his relationship with Kobe had developed throughout the years. “When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died,” revealed Michael.
Side note: He even made a joke about how there would be another “crying meme” about him after today.
© GettyImagesShaquille O\'Neal promised to “not teach [Kobe’s daughters] his freestyle techniques”
Kobe’s former L.A. Lakers partner-in-crime shared a poignant speech about his “little brother” and how he would watch over his girls.
© GettyImagesChristina Aguilera sings ‘Ave Maria’
The Latinx songstress sings an emotion-filled rendition of the song “Ave Maria” in Italian.
© GettyImagesThe memorial ended with Kobe’s ode to his favorite game
The somber event ended with a special screening of Kobe’s Oscar-winning short film, Dear Basketball.
