Natalia Bryant graduates from USC with honors — and her family couldn’t be prouder

Natalia Bryant just reached a major milestone — and she did it in style.

The 22-year-old model and daughter of Vanessa Bryant and the late Kobe Bryant graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California, and she marked the moment with a radiant Instagram post on Friday, May 16. “25’❤️🎓,” she captioned a stunning portrait of herself in a white dress and a red-and-gold USC stole embroidered with her sorority letters (Kappa Kappa Gamma) and her academic honors.

“We’re so proud of you @nataliabryant! ❤️🎓🎉#USC ✌️#GRAD,” the 43-year-old wrote alongside a collection of family photos celebrating the special day. In another post, she added, “4 ever 🫶🏽❤️👑🐍 @nataliabryant ❤️🎉 #USCGRAD #CumLaude.”

The achievement is even more inspiring considering Natalia’s full plate — she’s not only a college grad but also a rising star in the modeling world. She opened up to PEOPLE last year about the challenges of balancing school with a growing career.

“Anyone who says being a full-time student isn’t hard is lying — it really is,” she said candidly. “That in itself is a full-time job...Having a great team around me — family, friends — that’s been the most important thing.”

In 2024, Natalia made her high-fashion debut walking for Versace during Milan Fashion Week, where she hinted at pursuing fashion full-time after graduation. One of her biggest style icons? Her younger sister Bianka, 8.

“She has such a bold personality and always knows what she wants. She’ll wake up and already know what she’s wearing and how to style it. Honestly, she could style me too,” Natalia said with a laugh.

The Bryant family’s journey hasn’t been without heartbreak. In 2020, they endured the devastating loss of Kobe and 13-year-old Gianna Bryant in a helicopter crash — a tragedy that shaped the years that followed. Vanessa has often spoken about Natalia’s quiet strength during that time. In a 2021 interview with PEOPLE, she called her daughter her “right-hand woman,” praising her resilience through unimaginable grief.

“While mourning her dad and sister, she finished her senior year of high school, applied to colleges, cared for her younger sisters, and even signed a modeling contract with IMG,” Vanessa said at the time. Now, with a degree in hand and the runway at her feet, Natalia Bryant continues to honor her family’s legacy.