Kobe and Gianna Tribute

A public memorial to honor Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna Bryant and the seven other people who died in a helicopter crash last month took place at the Staples Center on Monday.

Many celebrities, athletes and artists were invited to participate in the event and pay their respects.

Beyonc got things started, performing moving renditions of her hit songs “XO” and “Halo.” One of Kobe’s favorite songs was “XO” and Beyonc asked the room to join her in singing. She started her performance with a message for the crowd:

“I’m here, because I love Kobe and this was one of his favorite songs. So I want to start that over, but I want us to do it all together and I want you to sing it so loud they hear your love. Are y’all ready? Love you.”

Alicia Keys took the stage for a performance during the Celebration of Life. Seated at a purple piano, Keys was joined by a string quartet to perform Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata.” Before Alicia took the stage, Kobe’s longtime friend and current General Manager for the Lakers Rob Pelinka shared a story about how Kobe taught himself “Moonlight Sonata” on the piano just so that he could perform it for wife Vanessa.

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: How to reduce food waste in Kamloops during the festive season

6h ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 12, 2024

Dec 12, 2024

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: North Shore BIA working hard to develop a 'happening place'

Dec 12, 2024

Christina Aguilera was the final performer to take the stage. She was joined by an orchestra to perform “Ave Maria.” The solemn performance concluded with the singer blowing a kiss to Bryant’s family.

The public memorial also included words from Jimmy Kimmel, Michael Jordan, Sabrina Ionescu and an emotional speech from Vanessa Bryant.