Photo: Matthew Rolston/Getty Images; Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Brandyis the latest celebrity to react to the tragic death of basketball legendKobe Bryant, who she went to prom with over 20 years ago back in 1996.
The “Freedom Rings” singer shared a shot of Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, who also died in the Jan. 26th helicopter crash, to herofficial Instagram accounton Friday.
“Never will I understand,” she captioned the shot of Bryant and his young daughter. “My condolences to @vanessabryant, and all families who are in paring during this tragic time.”
The R&B crooner and the NBA legend first connected back in 1996 when he was just a high school senior and she was already a famous artist and star of the sitcom,Moesha.
Thepair initially met at the 1996 Essence Awards, and Bryant knew right away that she was the perfect girl to take to prom.
“He came home … and said, ‘I met such a nice, beautiful, intelligent, sweet person,'” his mother Pam Bryant told the Philadelphia Daily News at the time, according tothe Philadelphia Inquirer.
And Brandy was just as excited to go with him. Speaking to theNew York Daily Newsat the time, she said, “He asked me to go to the prom with him, and since he was a nice guy … I asked my mom, and she said yes.”
News of Bryant’s famous date got around fast and Lower Merion High School in his native hometown of Philadelphia had to hire extra security for the event that was held at Bellevue Hotel.
Brandy wore a sleeveless champagne Moschino dress and matching shawl while Kobe wore a black tux with no tie. In 2016, Brandyshared with TMZthat she still has the dress she wore on that special night.
Three years later, Bryant would go on to meet his future wife, Vanessa, whom he married in 2001.
Matthew Rolston/Getty Images; Kevin Winter/Getty Images
On Wednesday, Vanessa, 37,shared an emotional message on Instagram, telling fans she’s “devastated” over the loss of her “adoring” husband and their “beautiful, sweet” daughter Gianna.
Vanessa also thanked “the millions of people” for their support and love.
“My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time. Thank you for all the prayers,” Vanessa wrote.
If you would like to help the families of the victims of the crash, consider donating to theMamba on Three Fund. Contributions to theMamba Sports Foundationwill help support youth sports.
source: people.com
