Featured Image Credit: Twitter
Topics: Music, Taylor Swift, Celebrity, US News, Basketball, Kobe Bryant
Katherine Sidnell
Topics: Music, Taylor Swift, Celebrity, US News, Basketball, Kobe Bryant
The Eras Tour might be coming to an end in the US, but Taylor Swift still has a few surprises up her sleeve.
Last night (Aug 3), the ‘Anti-Hero’ singer shared a special moment on stage when she gifted Kobe Bryant’s daughter, Bianka, her ‘22’ hat in front of thousands.
Even more touchingly, mom Vanessa Byrant was in the audience to capture the sweet gesture.
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It happened at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, as Swift performed the latest of her sold-out shows.
Performing to thousands of Swifties, the 33-year-old wore a sparkling white t-shirt dress, black shorts and pork pie hat as she sang ‘22’ to the huge crowd.
The iconic outfit was inspired by the music video of the same name and has become one of her most recognisable looks thanks to the massive pop hit.
Understandably, Kobe’s daughter Bianka was a little in awe of watching the star perform the track mere feet away from her.
However, the night was set to get even more special as Swift recognised the little girl in the crowd.
Stopping to kneel down, she placed the ‘22’ hat on Bianka’s head before giving her a huge hug and a sweet peck on the cheek.
It’s even more touching given that the Bryant family have long been Swifties, with mom Vanessa, even getting in on the act.
Prior to the sell-out concert, she posted her outfit on Instagram with the 41-year-old showing off a jean jacket she planned to wear.
It had ‘Swift’ in bedazzled letters alongside a photo of the super-star and Byrant’s late husband, Kobe.
Taken before his tragic death, it showed the basketballer and Swift on her 1989 tour – at the Staples Centre.
The NBA star had even shared a photo from the night, back in 2015, and recalled the moment Swift’s banner was commemorated at the venue.
In the Instagram caption, he wrote: "Friends hang from time to time but banners hang forever @taylorswift”.
Tragically though, it would be the last time the pair met as Kobe died just five years later in a helicopter crash with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna.
Upon hearing the news, Swift gave a touching tribute, which read: “My heart is in pieces hearing the news of this unimaginable tragedy. I can’t fathom what the families are going through. Kobe meant so much to me and to us all.”
Since then, the singer has remained close to Kobe’s family.