Beyoncé Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant and His Daughter Gianna After Tragic Deaths

Beyoncé took to Instagram on Wednesday to pay tribute to the late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. Kobe and Gianna died in a helicopter crash earlier this week

By Elyse Dupre Jan 30, 2020 1:17 PMTags
Watch: Kobe Bryant Mourned By Celebrity Friends

Beyonce is mourning the deaths of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.

The 38-year-old singer took to Instagram on Wednesday to pay tribute to the late Lakers legend and his 13-year-old daughter. The Grammy winner posted a picture of the NBA star planting a kiss on Gianna's head.

"I will continue to diligently pray for your Queens," Beyonce captioned the picture. "You are deeply missed beloved Kobe."

She also shared separate photos of Gianna and a young Kobe.

Beyoncé knew Kobe during his lifetime. They saw each other at events, Kobe brought his daughters to her concerts and he even appeared in the music video for Destiny's Child's "Bug-A-Boo."

Kobe and Gianna died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif. earlier this week. Seven others were killed in the tragic accident, as well: John Altobelli, a baseball coach  at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa; his wife, Keri Altobelli; their daughter, Alyssa Altobelli; Christina Mauser, an assistant basketball coach at Kobe's Mamba Sports Academy; Payton Chester, who played on the team; her mother, Sarah Chester; and Ara Zobayan, the pilot.

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Kobe Bryant: Life in Photos

Like Beyoncé, several celebrities paid tribute to Kobe on social media after news of his death broke. Many athletes did, as well.

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Kobe is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and their daughters: Natalia, Bianka and Capri. On Wednesday, Vanessa thanked the "millions of people who've shown support and love during this horrific time."

"There aren't enough words to describe our pain right now," Vanessa wrote in part of an Instagram post. "I take comfort in knowing that Kobe and Gigi both knew that they were so deeply loved. We were so incredibly blessed to have them in our lives. I wish they were here with us forever. They were our beautiful blessings taken from us too soon. I'm not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it's impossible to imagine life without them. But we wake up each day, trying to keep pushing because Kobe, and our baby girl, Gigi, are shining on us to light the way."