News | Entertainment
19 Sep 2025 14:25
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Vanessa Bryant has shared the heartwarming story behind Kobe Bryant gifting her Rachel McAdams' dress from 'The Notebook'

    The 37-year-old model gave an emotional speech in honour of the late NBA star and their 13-year-old Gianna at their memorial at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles this week, after they were among nine people to tragically lose their lives last month when Kobe's private helicopter crashed


    And during one part of the eulogy, Vanessa recalled how her late husband - who gave her a present for each year they were married - got her the denim dress and matching shoes from the 2004 rom-com to dec lare his eternal love.

    Vanessa added how she and Kobe - who also had 17-year-old Natalia, three-year-old Bianka, and eight-month-old Capri together - were "two perfectly imperfect people making a beautiful family", and just like Allie (Rachel) and Noah (Ryan Gosling) who were madly in the movie, they saw themselves "growing old together".

    She shared: "He gave me the actual notebook and the blue dress that Rachel McAdams wore in 'The Notebook' movie.

    "When I asked him why he chose the blue dress, he said it was because it's the scene when Allie comes back to Noah.

    "We had hoped to grow old together like in the movie.

    "We really had an amazing love story.

    "We loved each other with our whole beings.

    "Two perfectly imperfect people making a beautiful family and raising our sweet and amazing girls."

    Vanessa had shared the sweet 'Notebook' gift with her Instagram followers in 2013, and said Kobe - who she tied the knot with in April 2001 - gave them to her on Valentine's Day "years ago".

    She posted alongside pictures of the gift at the time: "One of my favorite Valentine's day gifts from my husband was the blue dress, shoes and THE notebook from the Notebook Movie he gave me years ago.

    "(The notebook is a prop but it still has sentimental value). Happy Valentine's Day! #tbt #Valentinesday #LoveStory #TheNotebook #Love (sic)"

    'The Notebook' tells the story of two young lovers who become separated because of their social differences, but Allie soon realises she cannot be without Noah.

    During the poignant speech, Kobe's widow also reflected on the devastating impact Kobe and Gianna's deaths have had on her other children as she vowed to make sure they remember the "amazing person, husband and father" Kobe was.

    She said: "God knew they couldn't be on this Earth without each other. He had to bring them home to have them together. Babe, you take care of our Gigi. I got Nata, Bebe and KoKo. We love and miss you, boo and Gigi. May you both rest in peace, have fun in heaven until we meet again one day. We love you both and miss you forever and always. Mommy."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     19 Sep: Mary-Margaret Humes secretly battled colon cancer in 2007
     19 Sep: Keke Palmer is convinced she would have won American Idol
     19 Sep: 40 years ago, the first AIDS movies forced Americans to confront a disease they didn’t want to see
     19 Sep: Scarlett Johansson has praised "warm and kind" Robert Redford for teaching her "what acting could be"
     19 Sep: Charlie Sheen has claimed Bill Clinton once tried to hit on his girlfriend
     19 Sep: Ed Sheeran has "real conflict" in his marriage to Cherry Seaborn
     19 Sep: Marisa Abela has married Jamie Bogyo
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Kyle Preston is happy to wait for his next opportunity to wear an All Blacks jersey More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    A belief the economic savings from Transmission Gully come from people taking quicker, more efficient trips More...



     Today's News

    National:
    Political witch hunts and blacklists: Donald Trump and the new era of McCarthyism 14:17

    Motoring:
    Oscar Piastri says McLaren has clarified team orders after controversy at F1 Italian Grand Prix 14:17

    Business:
    A belief the economic savings from Transmission Gully come from people taking quicker, more efficient trips 14:07

    Entertainment:
    Mary-Margaret Humes secretly battled colon cancer in 2007 14:01

    Rugby League:
    Victor Radley's hopes of playing for England in the upcoming Ashes series are still alive despite being caught up in the Brandon Smith drug charge 13:57

    Entertainment:
    Keke Palmer is convinced she would have won American Idol 13:31

    Cricket:
    Australian wicketkeeper Josh Inglis has been ruled out of next month's T20 series against the Black Caps with a calf strain 13:27

    Law and Order:
    Woolworths says it takes food safety responsibilities seriously, as it faces a hefty fine for failing to control a rat infestation 13:07

    Basketball:
    A basketball culture shock for Breakers guard Izaiah Brockington ahead of tonight's NBL season opener against the Brisbane Bullets in Auckland 13:07

    International:
    After deadly floods in Bali, its people want answers. Many are blaming overtourism 13:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd