Photos: Stars Pay Tribute to NBA Legend Kobe Bryant at Staples Center
By Whitney Irick ••
Twenty-thousand mourners -- including fans, professional athletes, musicians and more -- paid tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna at Staples Center on Monday morning.
Joined by a choir, Beyoncé took the stage to kick off the celebration of life ceremony. Described as "a very close friend of the Bryant family," she performed her hit song "XO" followed by "Halo."
Bryant's widow and Gianna's mother, Vanessa Bryant, delivered a tearful eulogy remembering the two who were killed in a Jan. 26 helicopter crash along with seven others.
"He was the most amazing husband," Vanessa Bryant said. "Kobe loved me more than I could ever express or put into words. I was fire. He was ice. Vice versa at times. ... He was my everything."
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' General Manager and Bryant's longtime agent, also spoke, detailing how he texted with Kobe minutes before the fatal crash. Bryant explained how he wanted to help a friend -- Lexi Altobelli, the surviving daughter of John Altobelli, who was also on the helicopter, get an internship.
"Kobe's last human act was heroic. He wanted to use his platform to bless and shape a young girl's future," Pelinka said.
Below, a look in photos at the family and friends who paid tribute to the late NBA legend in the "House That Kobe Built" during his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Singer, Beyonce performs during the Kobe Bryant Memorial Service on Feb. 24, 2020 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California.
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Jimmy Kimmel speaks during a celebration of life for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images
Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa Bryant speaks during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. – Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Vanessa Bryant is helped off the stage by former NBA player Michael Jordan after speaking during a celebration of life for her husband Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Former Los Angeles Lakers watch during a celebration of life for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Kobe Bryant’s parents Joe and Pam Bryant arrive for a celebration of life for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: Diana Taurasi speaks during The Celebration of Life for Kobe & Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on February 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: Mark Parker attends The Celebration of Life for Kobe & Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on February 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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US basketball executive Rob Pelinka speaks during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. – Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
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US musician Alicia Keys performs during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. – Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry and others during The Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on Feb. 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
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FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images
US-Italian basketball coach Geno Auriemma speaks during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. – Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Retired US basketball player Michael Jordan cries as he speaks during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. – Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Retired US basketball player Shaquille O’Neal speaks during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. – Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Christina Aguilera performs during a celebration of life for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles.
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: Jerry West and Steve Ballmer attend The Celebration of Life for Kobe & Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on February 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
LL Cool J attends The Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on Feb. 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
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Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez depart after The Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on Feb. 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
