Natalia Bryant, daughter of the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant, is a rising star forging her own identity in the world of storytelling and film. At 21, she’s not just walking in the shadow of her father’s towering legacy but is trailblazing a unique path, setting her sights on becoming a renowned director in Hollywood.

In a recent candid conversation with Town & Country, Natalia, a film student at the University of Southern California, shares how her early childhood experiences shaped her creative vision. She fondly recalls her parents nurturing her imagination, encouraging her to weave her own bedtime stories. “I remember my parents often asking me, ‘Do you have a story for tonight?’ and I’d excitedly begin with ‘Once upon a time…’,” she reminisces. “Those moments of creativity in my childhood have deeply influenced my passion for storytelling.”

Natalia’s journey at USC has been one of exploration and growth. She aspires to create narratives that reflect the nuances of girlhood and the complexities of coming of age. Drawing inspiration from the works of directors like Greta Gerwig and Sofia Coppola, she aims to bring fresh perspectives to the silver screen.

For her junior thesis, Natalia crafted a poignant narrative short film. The story, spanning five and a half minutes, delves into the lives of fictional sisters grappling with the absence of their parents during a significant life event – their school graduation. “This story, while entirely fictional, allowed me to explore the intricate dynamics of sisterhood,” she explains. “It’s a reflection of my storytelling aspirations, independent of my personal life narrative.”

Natalia’s journey isn’t confined to the world of film alone. Last summer, she ventured into the realm of music and entertainment, securing an internship with Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment. Here, she contributed to the visual narrative for the iconic Renaissance Tour. “Working with Parkwood was an eye-opening experience. It was a privilege to contribute to such a monumental project,” she says.

With her foot firmly planted in both the realms of fashion and film, Natalia is keen on not limiting her artistic expression to a single genre. “Both fashion and film are collaborative art forms. They’ve made me realize how interconnected our world is,” she observes.

As she steps into the limelight, Natalia Bryant is determined to honor her family’s legacy while etching her distinct mark in the creative world.

Ntianu Obiora
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Ntianu Obiora is a versatile creative professional with over a decade of experience in publishing, marketing, communications, and digital strategy. She is the Online Editor at THEWILL DOWNTOWN