Kobe Bryant’s legacy isn’t just about basketball—it’s about inspiration, creativity, and pushing boundaries. Remember his jaw-dropping 2008 commercial where he appeared to leap over an Aston Martin? That stunt was so iconic that even now, it continues to inspire bold moves. Just ask 19-year-old YouTuber Darren Watkins Jr., or as most of us know him, IShowSpeed.

The YouTuber with 33.4 million subscribers recently took the internet by storm with a daring stunt, jumping over his Cristiano Ronaldo-themed Lamborghini Huracan, with his own father behind the wheel. What could possibly inspire such a heart-stopping act? Yep, none other than Kobe Bryant’s legendary commercial, as revealed by him in a conversation with Shannon Sharpe.

“Yes, that’s what gave me the idea,” he admitted. But here’s the kicker–after pulling it off, he learned Kobe’s jump wasn’t real. “After I did it, my manager told me the video was fake. I was like, damn,” Speed revealed. Despite that, the 19-year-old stands by his own leap, calling it easy and saying he could do it again.

The stunt, however, didn’t come without its critics. Many accused Speed of faking the video, but he wasn’t having it. “I hate when people say that. When I put my life on the line… I genuinely did it,” he said on Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast.

Being aware of the possible backlash, Speed had shared multiple videos from different angles on Instagram and YouTube. And after the successful jump, he celebrated in style, pulling off Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature ‘Siu’ celebration. But what about Kobe’s iconic jump? Turns out, it was all Hollywood magic.

In 2022, an eyewitness named Frank spilled the beans, revealing the Aston Martin was computer-generated. As per his claim, it was his stepmother, who directed the commercial and crafted the illusion perfectly. “I was fortunate enough to go on set and hang out with him,” Frank shared, confirming the stunt was fake. But still, this remains an iconic commercial from Bryant, like many others he did.

Kobe Bryant’s star-studded collab for Guitar Hero

As mentioned earlier, the LA Lakers icon wasn’t just a legend on the basketball court, but his charisma off it was just as captivating. And one of his most memorable moments came in a star-studded Guitar Hero commercial. Picture this — Kobe teaming up with Alex Rodriguez, Tony Hawk, and Michael Phelps, not for sports, but to rock out like a boy band.

The ad was pure magic. Dressed in business shirts and ties, the four icons grooved to the game’s music, showing off moves you wouldn’t expect from athletes of their caliber. It was playful, unexpected, and downright hilarious, making it an instant hit.

You’ve probably seen plenty of Kobe’s iconic partnerships with brands like Adidas, Nike, and McDonald’s, but this one stands out for its sheer fun. Clearly, Kobe Bryant did not rely on fake stunts to make something iconic. His sheer presence with his aura did the job.