News | Entertainment
20 Jan 2026 7:20
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."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     19 Jan: Roger Allers, co-director of The Lion King, dies aged 76
     18 Jan: Teddi Mellencamp is "really sick" - months after she revealed her cancer had become "undetectable"
     18 Jan: Ashton Kutcher is "so proud" of his ex-wife Demi Moore in The Substance
     18 Jan: Lo Bosworth has given birth two weeks early
     18 Jan: Chase Infiniti botched Leonardo DiCaprio's beard when she cut it whilst they bonded before shooting One Battle After Another
     18 Jan: A shark has been named after Kelly Clarkson
     18 Jan: Jennifer Lawrence's marriage is kept "alive" with a compromise to her struggle with timekeeping
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Don't be surprised if the coaching nous of Scott Robertson is lured to the UK More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    China's population has fallen for a fourth consecutive year, and at a greater clip More...



     Today's News

    Politics:
    Donald Trump links Greenland takeover threat to Nobel Peace Prize snub, amid tariffs row with Europe 7:17

    Business:
    China's population has fallen for a fourth consecutive year, and at a greater clip 7:17

    Lower South Island:
    Tour of Southland leader Tom Sexton is crediting his home race as a career inspiration 5:57

    Law and Order:
    A search for answers - after a body was found on the rocks at a beach on Auckland's North Shore 4:37

    International:
    Tensions over Greenland escalate as US threatens tariffs after European troop deployment 21:27

    Business:
    Consumers could soon spot cocoa-free chocolate on shelves - as producers scramble to find cheaper alternatives 21:17

    International:
    At least 39 dead after two high-speed trains derailed in Spain 20:17

    International:
    What has caused a 'smack' of jellyfish to wash up on Melbourne's eastern beaches? 19:37

    Business:
    A word of caution as calls grow to fund weight-management drugs 18:57

    Motoring:
    Tired legs have caught up with New Zealand cyclist Ally Wollaston in the Tour Down Under 18:37


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd