Natalia Bryant, the eldest daughter of the late great Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa, just snagged a major win, proving that brilliance runs in the family. This week, she proudly walked across the stage at the University of Southern California, not just with a degree in hand but with honors!
The 22-year-old model and a proud Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority member shared her joy with a simple yet powerful Instagram post: “25′ 
.” The accompanying photo showed Natalia radiant in a white dress, beaming with her red and gold stole draped around her shoulders. That stole wasn’t just any stole, though; it proudly displayed “cum laude,” marking her academic achievement.
Of course, no celebration would be complete without the unwavering support of her incredible mom, Vanessa Bryant. Vanessa took to Instagram with her own heartfelt posts, overflowing with pride. “We’re so proud of you @nataliabryant! 
#USC 
#GRAD,” she wrote alongside a series of photos. In another post featuring a close-up of Natalia’s special stole, Vanessa added, “4 ever 
@nataliabryant #USCGRAD #CumLaude.” That “4 ever” and the inclusion of the snake emoji, a nod to Kobe’s “Black Mamba” persona, definitely tugged at the heartstrings.
But the sweetest tribute to her late father? Natalia made sure Kobe was right there with her in spirit. Her cardinal red and gold stole wasn’t just adorned with her sorority letters and “Class of 2025”; it also featured Kobe’s iconic “Sheath” logo. This symbol, made up of those distinctive mirrored quadrilateral trapezoids, was placed right above “School of Cinematic Arts,” “USC,” and the Trojans’ rallying cry, “Fight On!” Talk about an academic slam dunk with a touching personal touch!
Natalia, who is the first in her family to attend college, was showered with congratulatory messages from a whole host of celebrities, including Michael B. Jordan, Jennifer Garner, Storm Reid, and Ciara.
And it’s not like Natalia hasn’t been busy outside of her studies! This impressive young woman has already interned for Beyoncé and walked the runway for Versace in Milan. Balancing a thriving career with the demands of being a full-time student is no easy feat. As she previously told PEOPLE, “Being a full-time student… is a full-time job,” and she credited her “great support team” for helping her navigate it all.
Congratulations, Natalia! You absolutely nailed it!
