Taylor Swift’s influence reaches far beyond the stage, and a small wardrobe choice recently made a big impact on Vanessa Bryant. After spotting Swift wearing Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation apparel, Bryant shared her appreciation for the singer’s continued support of Kobe and Gianna Bryant’s legacy.
While watching Taylor Swift: The End of an Era on Disney+, Bryant noticed the pop superstar rehearsing in a royal blue Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation crewneck. The sweatshirt honors Bryant’s late husband, Kobe Bryant, and their daughter Gianna, and seeing it worn so casually and sincerely struck a deep chord.
“What a gift. We love you @taylorswift,” Bryant, 43, wrote on Instagram Stories on Tuesday, Dec. 30, sharing a screenshot from the series. She paired the message with a blue heart emoji and Swift’s song “Opalite.”
In a follow-up post, Bryant shared another image of Swift in the same sweatshirt, again tagging the singer and adding a second song selection, “The Fate of Ophelia.” In another slide, Bryant included a “We heart you” sticker and an illustration of hands forming a heart, a gesture closely associated with Swift’s Fearless era.
The moment was brief onscreen, but its meaning extended far beyond wardrobe. The Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation was created by Bryant following the deaths of Kobe and Gianna in a January 2020 helicopter crash that also claimed six other lives.
Proceeds from the foundation’s merchandise go toward creating positive opportunities for underserved athletes and young people in sports. Swift, 36, wore the crewneck during a rehearsal scene as she prepared an acoustic mashup ahead of one of the final Eras Tour shows in Canada.
The connection between Swift and the Bryant family spans more than a decade. In 2015, Kobe surprised fans by joining Swift onstage during her 1989 Tour stop in Los Angeles. That same year, he presented her with a banner honoring her record-breaking 16 sold-out shows at the arena where the Lakers played their home games.
Years later, Kobe publicly praised Swift’s work ethic and artistry. Reflecting on her success, he said it was “important to listen to people who do great things.” He added, “You can’t have that level of consistent success and not be a killer. It’s impossible.”
After Kobe’s death in 2020, Swift shared her heartbreak publicly. “My heart is in pieces hearing the news of this unimaginable tragedy. I can’t fathom what the families are going through,” she wrote at the time. “Kobe meant so much to me and to us all. Sending my prayers, love, and endless condolences to Vanessa and the family.”