Vanessa Bryant is not here for the internet’s gossip games.
The 43-year-old widow of NBA legend Kobe Bryant has broken her silence after days of wild online speculation suggesting she’s pregnant with her fifth child, allegedly by a 27-year-old unidentified basketball player.
But instead of posting a formal statement, Vanessa responded with a savage Rihanna meme on her Instagram stories that effectively shut down the rumors.
Over the weekend, Vanessa shared a hilarious meme of Rihanna floating in water wearing a snorkel and giving the middle finger.
The caption read: “Me protecting my peace, not pregnant & having fun all summer.” It was a direct, cheeky message saying, “Stop the nonsense.”
She followed up with another Rihanna meme captioned: “I mean, I am not just the only one,” seemingly addressing those scandalized by the idea that Vanessa, after losing Kobe five years ago, might be moving on and dating again.
Her memes were a bold middle finger to the trolls — without her having to say a word.
The rumors started after some blurry, unverified photos surfaced online, prompting gossip and conspiracy threads claiming she was showing a baby bump.
One person on X wrote: “Vanessa Bryant is pregnant by a 27-year-old basketball player. Kobe gave his life and ruined family relationships behind this woman, and just 5 years after the death of the man she spent over 20 years with, she got pregnant by another professional player 16 years younger than her. There are no rules out here, fellas.”
Another added: “So rumor has it that Vanessa Bryant (Kobe Bryant’s widow) is pregnant, which I don’t believe, but even if it were true, the vows say ‘til death do us part.’ Kobe passed away 5 years ago!!!!”
The internet was in full Judge Judy mode.
To top it off, Vanessa followed her meme spree with a classy clapback quote: “The only way to impress me is by being a good person. I don’t care what you have… I just have deep respect for people with pure hearts and good intentions.”
For the record, Vanessa is already a mom of four. She shares Natalia, Bianka, and Capri with Kobe. Their daughter Gianna, affectionately known as Gigi, tragically passed away alongside her father in the 2020 helicopter crash that shocked the world.
Since then, Vanessa has largely kept her private life out of the spotlight, focusing on raising her girls and continuing Kobe’s legacy through the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
The boyfriend in question has not been identified, and Vanessa hasn’t confirmed if she’s even seeing anyone.