Natalia Bryant Makes Her Creative Director Debut with Short Film on Lakers ‘Pride’ — with Nods to Dad Kobe (Exclusive)
Natalia Bryant’s debut as a creative director captures the heart of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Natalia, 22, the daughter of late Lakers star Kobe Bryant, conceptualized the NBA team’s new short film titled Forever Iconic: Purple and Gold Around the World, and shared exclusively with PEOPLE.
The recent USC grad enlisted some of the Lakers’ famous fans for the film, which marks the start of the 2025-2026 season, like actress and superfan Brenda Song and designer Jeff Hamilton.
Retired Lakers great and former minority owner of the team, Magic Johnson, as well as Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani also make cameos in Natalia’s short film debut.
Brenda Song and Natalia Bryant. Los Angeles Lakers
In a statement to PEOPLE, Natalia says, “This project was an amazing, collaborative environment with such creative people and we all came together to try and portray the Lakers’ impact, not only in LA but around the world.”
“Everyone has their own connection to the Lakers,” she continues. “I hope those who already love this team watch this project and remember what that pride feels like. And if you’re not a Lakers fan yet, I hope you watch this, and it makes you want to be.”
Natalia Bryant on set of her short film for the Lakers. Los Angeles Lakers
The short film follows Lakers fans repping their team gear around the city, from bike riding under the palm trees to yelling at their televisions during games. Hamilton, who designs iconic NBA and NFL gear, is seen carefully crafting a Lakers jacket in the spot.
Current Lakers stars LeBron James and Luka Dončić (who came to Los Angeles from Dallas in a blockbuster trade last season) also appear in the film.
Luka Dončić in Natalia Bryant’s short film. Los Angeles Lakers
In one scene, Dončić is seen shooting a hand towel into a garbage can at the Lakers practice facility as he yells, “Kobe!” and hits the shot.
In another moment from the film, Natalia included a clip of her dad hitting a game-winning shot as the announcer says, “Bryant for the win!”
Natalia also cleverly nodded to basketball fans with the inclusion of one of the more viral moments from James’ tenure with the team, when he overreacted, yelling, “It’s our ball, ain’t it?!” to a call that gave his opponents possession.
Song, 37, appears when she’s also yelling “It’s our ball” at the screen as the game is played, and she’s seen again excitedly reacting to the clip of Kobe’s buzzer beater.
Brenda Song for Natalia Bryant’s short film. Los Angeles Lakers
Natalia, who graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California in May with a degree in film, also honored her father on that day with her graduation gown. Sewn into her sash was a message that read, “Thank you Mom & Dad,” in USC’s signature yellow and red colors, as seen in a video shared by Vanessa.
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Natalia’s graduation sash also included her father’s sheath logo on the top left. In a 2014 interview with Esquire, Kobe explained that the symbol is inspired by a samurai sword. The sword is the “raw talent,” Bryant explained, and the sheath is “the package it’s kept in — everything you go through, your calluses and your baggage, what you learn.”
In January 2024, Natalia spoke to Town & Country about the importance of carrying on her father’s legacy.
“In terms of legacy, my main goal is just to be the best version of me that I possibly can,” she said, adding, “I just need to know that I have to keep learning, because there’s no finish line. You just have to keep pushing and being the best person you can be and soaking everything up like a sponge… The job’s never done.”