A powerful public memorial service was held at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles Monday to honor NBA great Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, nearly one month after the helicopter crash that took their lives.
Former teammate Shaquille O’Neal told the 20,000 mourners that “Kobe and I always held a deep respect and love for one another,” calling him “Heaven’s MVP.”
Also among the speakers was Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, who emotionally opened up about her memories of her husband and daughter.
Christina Aguilera sang a stirring rendition of “Ave Maria” and the Staples Center fell silent as Alicia Keys performed Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata.”
Beyonce’s rendition of XO and Halo had the whole place in tears: