'Weak People Spread Rumors': Vanessa Bryant Slams Pregnancy Speculation With Brutal Message

Since the tragic passing of Kobe 2020, Vanessa had frequently found herself at the center of unfounded romance rumors. One of the earliest whispers following his husband’s passing involved longtime friend and former Lakers teammate Pau Gasol. Neither he nor Vanessa ever acknowledged any romantic involvement.

Prior to the demise of Kobe Bryant, Vanessa Bryant was intermittently associated with other public figures during significant junctures of her life. In 2011, she was erroneously rumored to be romantically involved with boxer Victor Ortiz, which the latter easily denied. Most recently, a congenial social media birthday tribute extended to Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka ignited renewed speculation of a clandestine affair.

Did Vanessa Bryant and Jaylen Brown Date?

Earlier this year, rumors that said Vanessa Bryant, the widow of the late Kobe Bryant, was in a romantic relationship with NBA All-Star Jaylen Brown, and was purportedly pregnant with his child, went viral on social media. The rumor grew legs when a series of viral images of an alleged Vanessa emerged with a baby bump, reportedly holding hands on the street with Jaylen Brown.

Rather than issuing a formal press release, Bryant took to her Instagram Stories in early June to quash the gossip with two playful Rihanna memes. One snap featured Rihanna in a pool giving the middle finger, captioned “Me protecting my peace, not pregnant & having fun all summer,” while the follow-up read, “I’m not mean, I’m just not the one.”

Subsequently, numerous media outlets confirmed that the images circulating online were deepfakes produced by artificial intelligence. Brown has maintained her silence regarding the issue. Support for Bryant emerged from unforeseen sources, including Renaldo Wilson, brother of WNBA star A’ja Wilson, who publicly defended her against the unsubstantiated speculation.

Vanessa Bryant concluded her social media refutation by reiterating her conviction in kindness over celebrity, then re-entered the public sphere the following day, attending a New York Liberty vs. Chicago Sky game with her three daughters.