3 Years Before Meeting His Future Wife Vanessa, a 17-Year-Old “Shy” Kobe Bryant Gave Away His Heart to a Grammy Award-Winning Artist

In May 1996, teenage boys in Philadelphia were gushing, suited up to take their dates to the prom. Many 17-year-olds were going to dance the night away. It was truly a special night, especially for Kobe Bryant. All set to graduate from Lower Merion High School, Bryant too, was aiming to spend a splendid night with his prom date. But what was so special about Kobe “Neo” Bryant’s date? His date that night went on to become a Grammy Award-winning artist!

The Los Angeles Lakers legend married Vanessa Bryant née Laine in 2001 after meeting her in 1999. The couple was happily married, with four daughters, until Kobe’s untimely demise in 2020. However, Kobe had someone else on his mind during his high school days.

Brandy Norwood Believed the Black Mamba Was Going Somewhere In Life 

The Black Mamba was only 17 when he met the then-popular sitcom Moesha star, Brandy Norwood. While his classmates were prepping up for life in college, Kobe was all set for bigger things in life. He was all set to be drafted by the NBA. So, it comes as no surprise that Kobe wanted his prom date to be extremely special. 

He and the Grammy-award-winning Norwood were truly the talk of the town when he took the latter to his high school prom in 1996. Obviously, it was Kobe who asked Norwood to be his date to prom. As per EOnline, Brandy found Kobe cute. She believed that Kobe was really going somewhere in life. This was the prime reason why she was willing to go on a date with him to his high school prom. 

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Of course, the pair were all people could talk about. Brandy and Kobe arrived fashionably late in a white limo, along with some friends, including his teammate Jermaine Griffin, and Philadelphia 76ers’ coach John Lucas’ daughter, Travia Lucas. 

Kobe Bryant Was A Bit Shy At First

Brandy Norwood was a teen pop star in 1996. Her popularity was off the charts as a star on the TV sitcom, Moesha along with selling over 6 million copies of her first album. 

Bryant and Norwood met for the first time at the Essence Awards in April of that year, leaving him instantly smitten. The singer and actress truly took his breath away that night at Madison Square Garden. However, Mr. 81 was a little shy. So much so that Kobe had to ask for help in getting in touch with Brandy and check if she was willing to go out with him to his prom. 

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At the time, Brandy moved to California with her family, leaving behind the Hollywood High School. She was tutored privately for most of her high school education, which meant that she would never have the opportunity of her own prom night. So, when she heard Kobe was interested in taking her, she definitely said yes! 

Up until his demise, Kobe and Brandy were close friends and shared an endearing bond personally. So, what do you think of this adorable young love story? Let us know your comments on them below.