Vanessa Bryant has joined forces with a Los Angeles gym owner to save a mural of Kobe Bryant and their daughter, Gianna. The mural was painted on the side of the owner’s gym following the tragic helicopter crash that took their lives in January 2020.
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Vanessa Bryant, the widow of the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, has joined forces with Los Angeles gym owner Cecelia Moran to save a mural of Kobe and his daughter, Gianna.
The mural, which depicts the father-daughter duo with angelic wings, was painted on the side of Moran’s gym following the tragic helicopter crash that took their lives in January 2020.
Moran, the owner of Hardcore Fitness, received a letter from her landlord stating that she had until September 30 to remove the mural. Determined to keep the artwork intact, Moran called for help from Vanessa, the city, and the Lakers, pleading for their support. She expressed her belief that the mural should remain as a tribute to Kobe’s legacy.
In response to Moran’s plea, Vanessa took to her Instagram story on September 16, and shared a link to a petition on Change.org, urging her followers to sign and save the beautiful Kobe and Gianna mural. The post garnered significant attention and support from fans who wished to preserve the artwork.
The gym near the Crypto.com Arena, where Kobe played for 20 seasons, holds deep sentimental value for Vanessa and Moran. The mural serves as a lasting symbol of Bryant’s impact on the city of Los Angeles and his enduring legacy in the basketball world.
Moran, an immigrant from Peru, emphasized the importance of preserving the mural and her business, stating that it would be “scary” to lose her gym.
While the landlord’s motives for removing the mural were not disclosed, Moran expressed her concerns that the wall space would be used for advertising. As of now, the landlord has not made a statement to NBC Los Angeles regarding the matter.
In related news, plans are underway to erect a statue in honor of Kobe Bryant outside of the Crypto.com Arena. The Los Angeles Lakers, in collaboration with Vanessa Bryant, announced that the figure would be unveiled on February 8, 2024, which would have been Kobe’s 45th birthday.
This tribute is a testament to Bryant’s lasting impact and place among the legends of Los Angeles sports history.
Additionally, fans can look forward to the relaunch of The Kobe Brand sneaker line. After a collaboration between Kobe’s estate and Nike, the highly sought-after shoes are set to return to the market.
This mural preservation effort brings to light a larger issue in Los Angeles, as another celebrity mural featuring Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur, and Kobe Bryant faces potential demolition. The artist responsible for the mural, known as sloe_motions on Instagram, received a notice from the city to remove the artwork.
