- Beyoncé performed a previously unannounced set at Kobe and Gigi Bryant's memorial service in Los Angeles.
- She sang emotional renditions of "XO" and "Halo," backed by a choir and orchestra.
- Kobe and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna died in a helicopter accident in January. The crash resulted in nine fatalities in total.
Beyoncé began the memorial service honoring Kobe and Gianna "Gigi" Bryant, and their friends, in Los Angeles today with emotional performances of her songs "XO" and "Halo." In a previously unannounced set, the singer took the stage backed by an orchestra and gospel choir to pay tribute to the late father-daughter duo, who passed away in a tragic helicopter crash last month.
"I'm here because I love Kobe, and this was one of his favorite songs," she told the audience, interrupting her song, "XO." "So I want to start that over, but I want us to do it all together, and I want you to sing it so loud that they hear your love."
Next, Beyoncé transitioned into a powerful gospel rendition of "Halo." She wore a golden-hued suit and showed off purple nails and jewelry, a nod to the team colors of the L.A. Lakers, the NBA team Kobe called home.
She was also photographed after the performance:
A handful of tributes were given for the Bryants at the Staples Center today, including a eulogy from Vanessa Bryant, who experienced the loss of her husband and teenage daughter. "God knew they couldn't be on this earth without each other. He had to bring them home to heaven together," she said during her heartrending speech.
Kobe and Gigi were two of the nine victims who died in the helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on January 26. They are survived by Vanessa, as well as the couple's three other daughters, Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3, and Capri, 8 months.
From: Harper's BAZAAR US
