News | Entertainment
17 Nov 2025 18:41
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
     17 Nov: Caroline Flack: Search for the Truth raises questions about assault charges and British tabloid ethics
     16 Nov: Kim Kardashian has branded a group of psychics "pathological liars"
     16 Nov: The Jonas Brothers do a "healthy" amount of "bullying" one another
     16 Nov: Aaron Paul doesn't use his phone in front of his children
     16 Nov: Prince William has implored young people to wear a poppy on Remembrance Day
     16 Nov: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, joked she was "a bit rusty" on her return to acting
     16 Nov: Paris Jackson has been left with a perforated septum due to drug use
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The All Blacks have arrived in Wales, battered and bruised mentally and physically More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    A quick turnaround for the newly announced changes to vehicle imports - to be law by week's end More...



     Today's News

    Law and Order:
    Warnings from Worksafe after serious company failures led to a man dying when his crane touched powerlines 18:37

    Business:
    A quick turnaround for the newly announced changes to vehicle imports - to be law by week's end 18:17

    Entertainment:
    Caroline Flack: Search for the Truth raises questions about assault charges and British tabloid ethics 18:07

    Business:
    Inflation is still running hot - with the price of food, gas and electricity all high 18:07

    Business:
    Prices are soaring for food staples - with prices up 4.7 percent on a year ago 17:47

    International:
    Donald Trump calls on Republicans to vote to release Epstein files 17:07

    Law and Order:
    An inmate who broke out of Mount Eden has been arrested after a week-and-a-half on the run 16:57

    Accident and Emergency:
    A home in Manawatu's Sanson - where three young children and a man died on Saturday - is severely fire-damaged 16:47

    Netball:
    Shooter Grace Nweke's yearning for a successful finish to the 2025 season after one of the most turbulent years in Silver Ferns history 16:17

    Law and Order:
    Southland Police are looking for two people who lured a man in his 50s out of his house and assaulted him, after claiming to have a flat tyre 14:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd