Social media has a way of blurring the line between truth and illusion. Sometimes things can go far when baseless stories and viral speculation turn into a harmful controversy. One of the latest targets of such a false story was, late NBA star, Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant. The 42-year-old, who continues to look after her family away from the spotlight, herself at the center of a storm after her fake pregnancy rumors involving Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown had spread across the internet.
Vanessa Bryant takes a dig at her pregnancy rumours with Jaylen Brown
Vanessa Bryant, entrepreneur and philanthropist, had maintained silence after fake rumours about her pregnancy brought her criticism. But after a long wait, she has again put the chatter to rest with her signature wit. Vanessa, who recently attended the US Open final on September 7, 2025, shared an Instagram Story enjoying a honey deuce while watching the action. However, more than her drink, the caption of her picture stole the limelight where she joked:
“Enjoying my honey deuce. Keep me posted on how this imaginary pregnancy rumor is coming along. 24 years later … same rumour.”
She was accompanied by her younger daughters, Capri and Bianka, at the high-stakes match. The simple gesture of casually enjoying her drink made it clear that there is no truth behind the claims of her pregnancy. However, this wasn’t the first time Vanessa had to shut down such baseless rumours. Just a few months ago, she clapped back at similar speculation with humor by pop icon Rihanna memes. In one of those pictures, the singer floated in water with a drink in hand, flashing a middle finger, where the caption read:
“Me protecting my peace, not pregnant & having fun all summer. I’m not mean, I’m just not the one.”
How did rumours about Vanessa Bryant’s fake pregnancy with Jaylen Brown make it to the internet?
Vanessa Bryant’s fake pregnancy rumours began when an AI-generated photo surfaced online. It showed Vanessa with what appeared to be a baby bump standing next to Jaylen Brown. The manipulated image quickly went viral and fuelled false claims that they had a romantic relationship with a pregnancy. Although the story was fabricated, the deepfake fooled many at first glance. Instantly, it turned into online commentary about Vanessa’s private life. The incident was a prime example of how the advancement of Artificial Intelligence can be used to create misleading stories with real consequences for the people involved.
What is Vanessa Bryant now?
Away from these rumours, Vanessa Bryant continues to focus on her life. She has divided her time between her entrepreneurship ventures, honoring Kobe’s legacy, and raising their daughters. Kobe and Vanessa were married for nearly two decades before his tragic passing in 2020, when the NBA star and their daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash with seven others. Since then, Vanessa has dedicated herself to initiatives like the Kobe Bryant Sports Foundation, which provides scholarships and opportunities for young athletes. Recently, on Kobe’s birthday, she penned a heartfelt note for him that read:
“We love and miss you and Gigi so much. Sending our love to you. Happy birthday, baby.”
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