News | Entertainment
2 Jul 2025 9:30
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
     02 Jul: Ryan Reynolds was "adult diaper nervous" before Wrexham's latest promotion
     02 Jul: Bobby Berk "lost money" during the first two seasons of Queer Eye
     02 Jul: Dame Anna Wintour is stepping down as the editor-in-chief of American Vogue
     02 Jul: Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been accused of being the "leader of a criminal enterprise"
     02 Jul: Winnie Harlow won't "rush" her wedding plans
     02 Jul: Heidi Montag's music success has given her a renewed sense of "hope"
     02 Jul: Christopher McDonald thinks Travis Kelce is a "good actor"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The spectre of a second-string opponent is just something the All Blacks have to deal with More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Commerce Commission's issued a warning to Foodstuffs North Island, over an alleged breach of the Grocery Supply Code More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Ryan Reynolds was "adult diaper nervous" before Wrexham's latest promotion 9:06

    Tennis:
    Tennis' version of a combine harvester has threshed seeds out of Wimbledon this morning 8:37

    Entertainment:
    Bobby Berk "lost money" during the first two seasons of Queer Eye 8:36

    Health & Safety:
    Toxic fungus from King Tutankhamun’s tomb yields cancer-fighting compounds – new study 8:27

    Politics:
    Memo to Shane Jones: what if NZ needs more regional government, not less? 8:17

    Health & Safety:
    Another iconic Kiwi food treat is being discontinued 8:17

    National:
    Why frequent nightmares may shorten your life by years 8:07

    Auckland:
    Fire crews have extinguished a fire at an apartment building in Auckland's CBD 8:07

    Entertainment:
    Dame Anna Wintour is stepping down as the editor-in-chief of American Vogue 8:06

    Business:
    The Commerce Commission's issued a warning to Foodstuffs North Island, over an alleged breach of the Grocery Supply Code 7:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd