The 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards had a somber feel to night as news of Kobe Bryant’s death swept through the red carpet.
Kobe Bryant, the 5-time NBA champion and MVP, who spent his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, was killed Sunday morning when the helicopter he was traveling in crashed and in Calabasas. His daughter Gianna (Gigi) 13, was also on board and perished along with seven others.
On the red carpet, actress, director and choreographer Debbie Allen’s eyes filled with tears speaking about the tragedy to media. She couldn’t finish giving interviews because she was so overcome with emotion.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft had this to say:
“He was a champion on the court, but he did great things off the court. It’s a very sad day, my heart goes out to the families. Especially with the loss of their 13-year-old daughter.”
Digital media stagiest Karen Civil was attending the ceremony which featured a tribute to her late friend and business partner Nipsey Hussle. She reflected on the legacy of both, and what losing them in less than a year.
“I’m really here for the Nipsey tribute. This was the last place we celebrated him, here at the Staples Center, so it’s great to be here, to celebrate him one more time.”
On Kobe:
“Kobe Bryant is LA, he is Los Angeles, he is California. It’s just hard. I can’t even fathom and put words together but it just happened. But thinking of Vanessa, to lose a husband and a child… to us he’s the GOAT. But you have to remember his wife and his family, who are probably devastated right now.”
Rapper Yo Gotti had this to add that summed up the feelings of the night on the carpet:
“Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest to ever do it, so everybody is in mourning right now, everybody is confused, it’s so fresh that it doesn’t even feel real yet. I just send my prayers do his family.
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