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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‘Big Brother’ Host Julie Chen Moonves Reacts to Alum Mickey Lee’s Death

Big Brother 27 player Mickey Lee was born with a hole in her heart, she told host Julie Chen Moonves during a September appearance on her “God 101” podcast. One day after Lee’s death at age 35, Chen Moonves, 55, reflected on their discussion.

“Two months ago I interviewed Mickey Lee on ‘God 101,’” Chen Moonves wrote via Instagram on Friday, December 26. “That’s when she revealed to me that she was born with a hole in her heart, and as an adult she survived an ATV accident that should have killed her, but God kept her alive.”

She continued, “Last night God brought her home 🕊️ Rest In Peace dear Mickey. I will see you again on the other side in eternity. I pray the good Lord comforts and heals your family and loved ones as we grieve your passing. Amen 🙏🏼.”

Lee died on Thursday, December 25, after being hospitalized following multiple cardiac arrests. She had been battling complications from the flu and was in “critical but stable” condition, her family reported on Monday, December 22.

Why Jimmy Blames Morgan Over Mickey for His ‘Big Brother’ Eviction

The family broke the news of Mickey’s death on Friday morning via her Instagram account.

“With profound sadness, the family of Mickey Lee announces her transition on Christmas in the early evening,” their statement read.

Big Brother Host Julie Chen Moonves Reacts to Alum Mickey Lee s Death
Julie Chen Moonves, Mickey Lee. Getty Images (2)

“Mickey captured the hearts of audiences nationwide through her appearance on Big Brother, where her authenticity, strength and spirit left a lasting impression on fans and fellow cast members alike,” the statement continued. “She will be remembered for the joy she brought into the lives of so many and for the genuine connections she formed both on and off screen.”

Mickey spent 59 days in the Big Brother house during the summer of 2025 and was the last player to be evicted before the jury phase began. She was best known for using her “HoH Interrogator” power to dethrone Rylie Jeffries and subsequently nominate him for eviction. She stumbled, however, when she was convinced to also nominate her ally, Jimmy Heagerty, who was ultimately evicted when Rylie, 27, won his way off the chopping block.

‘Big Brother’ Host Julie Chen Moonves Reveals if She’s Going to Retire

Mickey’s family had also launched a GoFundMe when they first revealed her illness in an effort to offset medical costs. As of Friday morning, it had raised more than $32,000.

“Many of you know Mickey Lee from Big Brother (CBS) where she became one of the most talked about houseguests on Season 27,” their statement read at the time. “A vibrant, strategic and unforgettable personality, Mickey captured the attention of fans with her energy, authenticity and bold gameplay. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, and based in Atlanta, Georgia, she brought charm and fierce competition to the Big Brother house as an event curator and creative force.”

Her fellow Big Brother 27 players began posting tributes to their fellow houseguest as the news began to spread.

Reality TV Tragedies: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

“Forever my girl. Rest in power, Micks,” Jimmy, 25, wrote via his Instagram Story over a photo of the two of them having a drink together.

“Was hoping for different news regarding Mickey,” fourth-place finisher Ava Pearl added via her Instagram Story. “A genuine tragedy for anyone to pass as young as she did, wishing her friends and family peace, respect, and privacy during this time. No matter what, we lost a member of the Big Brother family and she will be missed.”

Us Weekly has reached out to CBS for comment.


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Mickey Lee Dead at 35

Beloved “Big Brother” star Mickey Lee has died after being rushed to the ICU earlier this week. Her family shared the heartbreaking update on her IG Friday morning, informing her nearly 30,000 followers she took her last breath during the evening…


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Cape Town Minstrels Carnival 2026 – Everything You Need To Know!

The iconic Cape Town Minstrel Carnival returns to the Mother City on 5 January 2026.

Now known as the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade, this annual event is the longest existing carnival in the city and is an integral part of the city’s cultural heritage. Historically this celebration took place on 2 January aka Tweede Nuwe Jaar and the minstrels were to referred to as the Kaapse Klopse – this celebration the Mother City’s biggest event to usher in the New Year.

What To Expect at the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival

Thousands of minstrels in glittery uniforms from a variety of troupes with face paint, hats and parasols march through the city’s roads, playing their signature “ghoema” music on banjos, trumpets and drums. The troupes are spaced out so that each performance happens separately, allowing onlookers to hear each troupe. There is also a structure to each troupe, with non-instrument playing members called “voorlopertjies” leading the way with extravagant dance moves while the band provides the backing soundtrack.

Among this year’s troupe lineup you will see Original D6 Hanover Minstrels, Mitchells Plain Young Tycoons, Phantoms Community Development, Ashwin Willemse Orient Community Development, Young Wild Comanches, Manenberg Superstars, Carnival Boys Youth Development (also known as Crystal Palace), Wild Apache, Baruch Entertainers, CPT Hawkers, Fabulous Seawind Entertainers, and many more.

Experience The Magic 

The parade is set to attract a crowd of 80,000 to 100,000 spectators, eager to experience over 16 minstrel troupes and 20,000 performers. 

The parade will begin at the corner of Somerset Rd and Dixon St. The route
will follow along Somerset Rd all the way to the DHL Stadium.  

Road Closures 

To accommodate the parade and ensure public safety, several roads will be closed from 6am on Monday, 5 January to Tuesday, 6 January 2026. 

Affected streets include: 

Street/Road  Restriction    Between  Closure Time  Opening Time 
Main Rd  Full Closure (residential access lane between Upper Portswood Rd & Highfield Rd)  York Rd  Buitengracht Street  06h00  23h59 
Prestwich Street  Full Closure  Alfred St Granger  Chiappini Street  06h00  23h59 
Somerset Road  East Bound closure  Bay Blvd Granger  Granger Bay Blvd  06h00  23h59 
Fritz Sonnenberg  Full Closure  Bay Blvd Granger  Rd Portswood  06h00  23h59 
Somerset Road  Full Closure  Bay Blvd  Buitengracht St  06h00  23h59 
Ebenezer Road  Full Closure (Hotel Access only)  Prestwich St Javis  RD Somerset  06h00  23h59 
De Smit Street  Full Closure  St Napier St Javis  Somerset RD  06h00  23h59 
Moreland Terrace  Full Closure  St Schiebe St  Somerset RD  06h00  23h59 
Napier Street  Full Closure  Dixon St  Somerset RD  06h00  23h59 
Alfred Street  Full Closure  Prestwich St  Somerset RD  06h00  23h59 
Dixon Street  Full Closure  Strand St  Javis St  06h00  23h59 
Chiappini Street  Full Closure  Prestwich St  Somerset RD  06h00  23h59 
Chiappini Street  Full Closure  Napier St Liddle  Somerset RD  06h00   23h59  
Alfred Street  Full Closure (Hotel Access only)  St Beach Rd  Schiebe St  06h00  23h59 
Prestwich Street  Full Closure  Portswood Rd  St Alfred  06h00  23h59 
Cobern St  Full Closure  Granger Bay Blvd  Somerset Rd  06h00  23h59 
Granger Bay Blvd  East Bound Carriage Closure  Helen Suzman  Helen Suzman  06h00  23h59 
Fort Wynyard St  Full Closure  Blvd  Granger Bay Blvd  12h00  23h59 
Fritz Sonnenberg  Full Closure    Beach Rd     
Vlei Road  Full Closure    Fritz Sonnenberg Rd  12h00  23h59 

 Local access and permit holders: 

Street/Road  Restriction    Between  Closure Time  Opening Time 
Main Road  Permit Holders Only  Granger Bay Blvd  Three Anchor Bay Blvd  06h00  23h59 
Granger Bay Blvd  Permit Holders Only  Helen Suzman Blvd  York Rd  06h00  23h59 
Ebenezer Road  Permit Holders Only  Port RD  Prestwich St  06h00  23h59 
Bennett Street  Permit Holders Only  Port RD  Prestwich St  06h00  23h59 
Hudson Street  Permit Holders Only  Waterkant Street  Somerset RD  06h00  23h59 
Hudson Street  Local Access Only  Hudson St  Strand St  06h00  23h59 
Vos Street  Local Access Only  Vos St  Strand St  06h00  23h59 
Rose Street  Local Access Only  Rose St  Strand St  06h00  23h59 
Waterkant  Local Access Only  Buitengracht St  Waterkant St  06h00  23h59 
Cavalcade Road  Local Access Only  York Rd  Upper Portswood Rd  06h00  23h59 
Thornhill Road  Local Access Only  Cavalcade Rd  Upper Portswood Rd  06h00  23h59 

 Entry 

The HollywoodBets Cape Town Street Parade is free for the public. Follow Cape Town Street Parade on FacebookInstagram, and X, for the latest updates on the start route and other information. 

Related Articles 

The post Cape Town Minstrels Carnival 2026 – Everything You Need To Know! appeared first on Cape Town Tourism.


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Elementary Teacher Who Sent Teen 35K Texts in 3 Months Cries in Court

A recently engaged Wisconsin woman will spend the next six years in prison after allegedly admitting to kissing an 11-year-old boy in her classroom — and later sending him 35,000 explicit text messages.

Madison Bergmann, 26, was working as a fifth grade teacher at River Crest Elementary School in Hudson, Wisconsin, until the victim’s father discovered the deluge of texts.

The boy’s dad told the court during Bergmann’s sentencing on Friday, December 19, that he found the messages “disturbing.”

The messages were sent over just three months, meaning she sent an average of over 2,000 messages to the victim every day. In the texts, Bergmann allegedly professed her affections for the boy and expressed her eagerness at touching him and “making out” with him again.

Her former coworker at the school, Abigail Faust, is also facing charges for inappropriate relationships with children, including a child whom she nannied in Washington County.

Bergmann pleaded guilty to one count of child enticement and two counts of sexual misconduct by school staff back in September.

After the father brought the text messages to the police, officers searched her classroom and found a folder with the victim’s name on it containing handwritten love letters that indicated they had kissed.

Bergmann was supposed to get married in 2024. It is unclear when she got engaged.

Former Teacher Accused of Having Unlawful Sexual Relations with Student

She started to cry as soon as she entered the courtroom for her sentencing. The state had been seeking a 12-year sentence for the disgraced teacher.

Bergmann’s lawyers had been pushing for a one-year sentence.

“I want to make it absolutely clear that I take full accountability for every boundary that was crossed,” she said through tears. “I hope that your family has been able to begin to heal and find some peace in your lives again. I know the journey will be long for your family.”

She cried louder when she learned her sentence, according to KSTP.

“To his own credit, [my son] is like ‘I have to live with this forever. Whatever punishment she receives should be forever,’” the victim’s father said, according to KARE11. “When I review the texts too, it’s very deliberate — talking about touching his leg, talking to my 11-year-old son about her period, talking about his erections … to me it’s very disturbing stuff.”

Bergmann pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal from prosecutors that saw a number of charges against her dropped, including first-degree sexual assault of a child, using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime, exposing a child to harmful descriptions, and additional counts of sexual misconduct by school staff and child enticement.

When she is released from prison in six years, Bergmann will need to register as a convicted sex offender. She will also be placed on six years of extended supervision and is barred from having contact with minors without approval. The court has also placed restrictions on her internet use, according to KARE11.


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