Vanessa Bryant has ushered in the year 2026 with a striking display of personal style and family warmth, captivating her social media followers. The widow of basketball legend Kobe Bryant shared a series of posts that highlighted both her fashion-forward sensibility and her close-knit family bonds, drawing enthusiastic reactions from her famous friends and, most importantly, her eldest daughter.
Natalia Bryant's Heartfelt Reaction to Mother's Glamorous Shoot
On the first day of 2026, Vanessa Bryant took to Instagram to share a solo portrait that showcased a bold, Western-inspired aesthetic. The photograph, shot by renowned photographer Brian Bowen Smith, featured Vanessa in a luxurious fur coat paired with sturdy brown cowboy boots. The ensemble was elevated with elegant diamond jewelry, creating a look that was both rugged and refined.
In her caption, Vanessa revealed the motivation behind the post, writing, “My girlfriends are always encouraging me to be in more pics- making an effort to do that this year. 2026.” The post quickly garnered hundreds of comments, but the response from her eldest daughter, Natalia Bryant, stood out for its simple affection. Natalia commented, “So gorgeous ❤️,” a two-word testament to her pride and love for her mother.
A Wave of Celebrity Admiration on Social Media
The glamorous New Year's portrait did not just resonate with family. A host of well-known figures from the worlds of entertainment and sports flooded the comments section with praise. Reality TV star Khloe Kardashian exclaimed, “Well, you’re a vibe! That’s why!!” Actress Jessica Alba and singer Ciara both cheered with “Yasssssss!!!”
Fellow musician Kelly Rowland wrote, “HOTTTTTTTMAMAMAMAMA!” while friend La La Anthony humorously claimed credit, commenting, “Girlfriends meaning ME!!! ??it’s about time!!!!” Vanessa playfully replied to her with “@lala ??”. WNBA stars also joined the chorus, with Sabrina Ionescu writing “Yes, please,” and Candace Parker adding “Beautiful V!!!” followed by fire emojis.
Family Takes Center Stage in New Year Celebrations
Prior to the solo photoshoot, Vanessa Bryant had already shared a meaningful family moment to mark the beginning of 2026. She posted a group photo featuring her three daughters: Natalia, Bianka, and Capri. The picture, set against a ranch-style backdrop with a vintage red pickup truck, saw the family dressed in coordinated Western outfits complete with cowboy hats and boots.
Her caption for this family photo read, “Happy New Year. Year of the horse ?.” This message referenced the upcoming Chinese Zodiac Year of the Fire Horse, which begins on February 17, 2026. This post followed a warm Christmas family photo shared days earlier, where the family, including their dog in a plaid accessory, posed in coordinated green outfits at home, framed by a grand doorway.
Through these posts, Vanessa Bryant has painted a picture of a new year focused on embracing new experiences, as encouraged by friends, while firmly rooting her celebrations in the love and togetherness of her family.
