Vanessa Bryant Reacts to Taylor Swift Wearing Kobe Merch in ‘Eras’ Doc

Vanessa Bryant is reacting to Taylor Swift subtly supporting Kobe Bryant and her family in her End of an Era docuseries.

“What a gift,” Vanessa, 43, wrote via her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, December 30, sharing a screenshot from End of an Era. “We love you @taylorswift 💙!!!!!!”

As Swift, 36, practiced an acoustic section mashup ahead of one of her last Eras Tour concerts in Canada, she was dressed in a blue Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation sweatshirt. (Kobe’s widow founded the organization after her husband and daughter Gianna tragically died in a 2020 helicopter crash, along with six other people.)

In a follow-up slide, Vanessa posted another pic of Swift wearing her Mamba merch and added a “We [heart] you” sticker, alongside one of an illustrated pair of hands making a heart like Swift’s Fearless symbol.

Vanessa Bryant Reacts to Taylor Swift Wearing Kobe Quote on Her Necklace

Swift has a long history with the Bryant family, starting in 2015 when she enlisted Kobe to join her onstage during the Los Angeles stop on her 1989 Tour. Kobe even presented the pop star with a banner honoring her record 16 sold-out shows at the same venue where his Lakers played home games.

Kobe died at age 41 five years later in a helicopter crash alongside 13-year-old daughter Gianna. (Kobe and Vanessa also shared daughters Natalia, Bianka and Capri.)

“My heart is in pieces hearing the news of this unimaginable tragedy. I can’t fathom what the families are going through,” Swift tweeted in 2020 after the NBA icon’s death. “Kobe meant so much to me and to us all. Sending my prayers, love, and endless condolences to Vanessa and the family and anyone who lost someone on that flight.”

Swift remained close to Vanessa and her family in the years since Kobe and Gianna’s deaths. When the Bryants attended Swift’s Eras show in L.A. in August 2023, Bianka received the “22” hat.

Vanessa Bryant Responds to Taylor Swift Wearing Kobe Bryant Merch in Eras Tour Docuseries
Taylor Swift Courtesy of Vanessa Bryant/Instagram

“Every person in that audience, hopefully, is being shaped positively in some way by something that they see or something that they hear,” Swift explained of the tradition in her Disney+ docuseries. “The ‘22’ moment stems from a hat that I wore on the Red Tour, so I wanted to really bring back that moment of just kinda, like, [having] a moment with a fan where I actually get close with them.”

While performing “22,” Swift sashayed down her catwalk to give her Red-inspired fedora to a waiting concertgoer.

Taylor Swift’s Sweetest ‘22’ Hat Moments on ‘The Eras Tour’ So Far

“What’s so interesting about that moment every night is I never know what kid I’m gonna meet,” the Grammy winner said. “I’ve got people in the audience, scouring the crowd for the first couple of eras, trying to find a kid who knows every single word to the songs and having the time of their lives at this show.”

According to Swift, the lucky child chosen is “basically a representative of every kid in that crowd.”

“It could be, like, a little kid that gets really shy when all of a sudden they’re seeing 60,000 people for the first time or, it could be, there are kids that bloom under the bright lights and they’re just, like, ‘I’m a pop star now.’ It’s always wild to be in this moment with this person that I’ve never met before, this little kid, and everything’s going on around us and somehow we’re able to just have this moment be completely between us.”

Taylor Swift: The End of an Era is now streaming on Disney+.


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Michigan Athletic Director Calls Out ‘Untrue’ Rumors About Sherrone Moore

University of Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel spoke publicly for the first time since the firing of football head coach Sherrone Moore, who was terminated earlier this month over an “inappropriate relationship” with a staff member.

“There’s not much I can say,” Manuel, 57, told reporters on Sunday, December 28. “There’s an investigation continuing into Coach Moore — there’s a cultural evaluation around the department — and so we will we obviously know some facts. There’s some things that are out there that I can’t comment on, that are untrue, and there may be some things that they find, but that’s why we do an investigation, and I’m very open to that.”

Earlier this month, it was reported that Chicago-based law firm Jenner & Block is conducting an investigation into the University of Michigan athletics department, with Moore’s firing being “a particular focus.”

“I asked the President to help with a cultural analysis and have somebody come in,” Manuel explained. “So yes, I am very supportive of that, because as a leader, I face reality. There are things that happen. I don’t step away from it. Never have, never will. So we need to get better, and that’s part of it, getting somebody to come in and to assess.”

Details Emerge About ‘Weird Dynamic’ Between Sherrone Moore and Staff Member

Manuel fired Moore, 39, on December 10 after a university internal investigation uncovered evidence of Moore’s relationship with the female staffer. 

“Listen man, it’s hard,” Manuel said on Sunday. “It’s hard when you have a colleague that is going through something personally, professionally, in his family and [knowing the] people and impact that it has on so many staff, student-athletes and the Michigan community.”

Manuel added, “Personally, I’ve known him for seven or eight years, so it was difficult to see him, as a person, go through what he went through. But professionally, it was an easy decision to make because of the expectations that we have for everyone on our side.”

Hours after his termination, Moore allegedly broke into the staff member’s apartment and threatened to harm her and take his own life. 

Moore was arrested on December 10 and subsequently charged with one count of third-degree felony home invasion, one count misdemeanor stalking related to a domestic relationship and one count misdemeanor breaking and entering.

The former coach was released on $25,000 bond and ordered to wear a GPS tracking monitor, in addition to dropping all contact with the staff member. 

Sherrone Moore’s Accuser Lived at Same Complex as Michigan Football Players

Moore is expected back in court on January 22. 

Former University of Utah coach Kyle Whittingham was officially named as the University of Michigan’s new head football coach on Friday, December 26. 

“Kyle Whittingham is a well-respected and highly successful head coach who is widely recognized as a leader of exceptional character and principled leadership,” Manuel said in a statement. “Throughout our search, he consistently demonstrated the qualities we value at Michigan: vision, resilience, and the ability to build and sustain championship-caliber teams.”

The statement continued, “Kyle brings not only a proven track record of success, but also a commitment to creating a program rooted in toughness, physicality, discipline and respect — where student-athletes and coaches represent the university with distinction both on and off the field. We are excited to welcome Kyle to the University of Michigan family as he takes the helm of our football program.”


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Christmas In Bethlehem, Honduras Election Result, Immigration Crackdown

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p dir=”ltr”>After two years of not celebrating because of the war in nearby Gaza, Christmas festivities have returned to Bethlehem. Election officials in Honduras have named the winner of the country’s presidential election, after more than three weeks of counting the votes. And, in a year of record breaking immigration enforcement, deportations and detentions are separating families and in some cases that means the oldest children become the family breadwinner.

<

p dir=”ltr”>Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

<

p dir=”ltr”>Today’s episode of Up First was edited by James Hider, Didi Schanche, Eric Westervelt and Lisa Thomson.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Zo van Ginhoven. Our technical director is David Greenburg.

<

p dir=”ltr”>And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.

(00:00) Introduction
(03:11) Christmas In Bethlehem
(06:58) Honduras Election Result
(10:40) Immigration Crackdown

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Trump’s Defends Affordability, SCOTUS & Presidential Power, Indiana Redistricting

President Trump heads to Pennsylvania to defend his record on affordability as polls show voters increasingly blame his policies for high prices.
The Supreme Court appears poised to grant presidents far greater power over independent agencies, signaling a major shift in how the federal government operates.
And Indiana lawmakers move toward a congressional map that could eliminate the state’s last two Democratic seats, intensifying a nationwide battle over mid-cycle redistricting.

Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

<

p class=”readrate”>Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Rebekah Metzler, Krishnadev Calamur, Kelsey Snell, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.

<

p class=”readrate”>

<

p class=”readrate”>It was produced by Kaity Kline, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.

<

p class=”readrate”>

<

p class=”readrate”>We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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p class=”readrate”>

<

p class=”readrate”>And Our Senior Supervising Producer is Vince Pearson.

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Ray J’s Family Guide: From Sister Brandy to Estranged Wife Princess Love

Singer Ray J comes from a family filled with musicians and performers, including his father and his sister, Brandy.

Ray J released his debut single “Let It Go” in 1997, but his family’s history in the music industry dates back to at least the 1970s, when his father Willie Norwood joined The Composers. His mother, Sonja, has worked as the manager for both Ray J and Brandy since they began their own music careers.

Ray J has created his own family with estranged wife Princess Love, who he married in 2016. The pair welcomed daughter Melody in 2018 and son Epik in 2020. In May 2020, the pair announced they were separating, and have since rescinded and then re-filed for divorce three more times. They are currently still married.

In November 2025, the “One Wish” singer was arrested after he allegedly pulled a gun on his estranged wife during an argument on Thanksgiving Day.

Billy Ray Cyrus and His Kids: Where They Stand

Video footage from the livestream allegedly showed Ray J saying, “Y’all wanna drive drunk? Y’all wanna drive drunk? Drive drunk. Drive drunk, Princess,” before Love interjects, “Ray, you just pointed a gun–.”

“Drive drunk, princess. Go ahead,” Ray J also appeared to say. “You wanna take my kids? You and your drunk cousin? Cuz y’all drunk at the alcoholics? Take my kids then, go ahead. Who’s gonna drive? Tony, he’s been drinking too.”

Keep scrolling to learn more about Ray J’s relationships with his family, including Love and their two children.

Willie Norwood

Willie Norwood
Willie Norwood Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BMI

Ray J’s father Willie is a singer, coach and teacher. As shared via Kovocals, Willie joined the singing group The Composers in the 1970s. The band made the decision to move to Hollywood after opening for Chaka Khan & Rufus, and Willie lived there with his family until he and wife Sonja decided to move back to Mississippi.

Willie took the family back to California to serve as a minister of music and become a music coach. He put together Brandy’s first tour and released his own album, Bout It, in 2001.

Willie also appeared on Brandy and Ray J’s reality series, Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business. The series aired on VH1 for two seasons, from April 2010 to February 2011.

Sonja B. Norwood

Sonja Norwood
Sonja Norwood Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for WE tv

Sonja has worked as Brandy and Ray J’s manager throughout their music careers, and is also the CEO of the family’s management company, Norwood & Norwood. As shared on her website, Sonja cut her career at H&R block short to focus on her children’s musical pursuits. This allowed her to help Brandy and Ray J navigate music contracts, Brandy’s foray into music and beauty deals and running the Norwood Kids Foundation.

“Being Black, a woman, a mom, and coming into this industry in the `90s was not easy,” she says on her site. “When I’m teaching, it’s important for people to understand the practices of the entertainment industry. I appreciate all of the good and bad attitudes, the no’s and yes challenges and deceptions that came my way. They have made me the business person I am today. I have earned my way – fearless, confident, and passionate about who I am and how I can change things. I want up-and-coming mom managers and females especially to know that if they are willing to put in the work to not only master their craft but also to wholly understand who they are as a person, establish boundaries and keep God first – they can accomplish anything.”

Brandy Norwood

Brandy Norwood
Brandy Norwood Derek White/Getty Images

Brandy is Ray J’s older sister, known to audiences around the world as a singer and actress. She rose to fame after securing a role on the ABC series Thea, which aired from September 1983 to February 1984, but her breakthrough moment came with the release of her first self-titled album in September 1984.

Brandy led the cast of Moesha in 1996, and the series became a hit soon after its debut. Her acting career spawned several more roles, including in the 1997 movie Cinderella.

The release of her follow-up album Never Say Never in 1998 introduced Brandy to wider audiences after the single “The Boy is Mine” hit number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Brandy has continued to act and sing in the years that followed.

Sy’Rai Smith

Sy'Rai Smith
Sy’Rai Smith Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Lifetime

Sy’Rai is the daughter of Brandy and producer Robert Smith. She made her debut as a singer on her mom’s 2020 record B7 and released her own song, “On My Own” in 2023. She is also the host of the “I Shouldn’t Have Said That” podcast.

Princess Love

Princess Love
Princess Love Unique Nicole/Getty Images

Ray J and Princess Love married in August 2016, and have since welcomed two children together. The pair’s relationship has been tumultuous, and they have filed for divorce several times (in May 2020, September 2020, October 2021 and most recently in February 2024).

“After much reflection, discussion, and counseling, we have come to the difficult realization that our paths have diverged, and it is in the best interest of both of us to part ways,” Love wrote in a since-deleted post shared via Instagram in February 2024. “We want to reassure you that this decision was made thoughtfully and with mutual respect and consideration for each other’s well-being. While our relationship as spouses may be coming to an end, we remain committed to co-parenting our children and maintaining a positive and supportive family dynamic.”

Princess was a cast member on seasons 3 through 6 of Love & Hip Hop: Miami (the series aired from 2014 to 2019) and frequently documents her cooking on Instagram.

A Guide to Quincy Jones’ Family: 7 Children, Grandkids and More

Melody Love Norwood

Ray J Family
Ray J Family esse Grant/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

Ray J and Love welcomed their first child together on May 23, 2018. Soon after her birth, Ray J shared a video of himself with Melody with OK! Magazine, telling the outlet that he and Love were considering a move to London with their daughter.

“I’m here with the love of my life,” he said in the video. “I love you. I’ll always be there for you. You’ll never have to want for nothing, baby.”

He added of the potential move, “I like the people, the opportunities, and the values are a little different. I’ve been in Hollywood so long, I know what it comes with, I want my daughter to have a peaceful, happy life. I want to be consistent in being there for the baby. We’d love to move in the next year and a half.”

Epik Ray Norwood

Love and Ray J’s son Epik joined the family on December 30, 2019.


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Kevin Spacey Calls Out Media For Perpetuating Homeless Rumor

Kevin Spacey’s setting the record straight … telling fans he isn’t homeless … and blaming a misleading headline for all the confusion. The actor took to social media to clear up the issue … telling fans he doesn’t like to spend his time…


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