Los Angeles, June 3, 2025 – Vanessa Bryant, widow of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, has broken her silence on a recent wave of online speculation suggesting she might be expecting another child — and she did it in the most iconic way possible: with a meme.
In a now-viral Instagram Story, Vanessa posted a widely-circulated meme of Rihanna giving a side-eye glance during an interview, with the caption: “When people keep asking if you’re pregnant but you just had an extra taco.”
Fans were quick to catch the reference, with many praising Vanessa for her humor and grace in handling what she later described as “invasive and completely false” rumors.
“Let a Woman Live!”
In a follow-up post, Vanessa added, “I know people mean well, but please — let a woman live without constant speculation. I love food, I love my family, and no, I’m not pregnant. I’m just happy.”
The rumors appear to have started after Vanessa was photographed at a charity gala in Los Angeles last weekend wearing a flowing floral gown. Several tabloid outlets ran headlines speculating about a potential baby bump, with phrases like “Is Baby Bryant #5 on the way?” trending briefly on social media.
Support from Fans and Celebrities
Vanessa’s lighthearted response was met with overwhelming support. Singer Ciara commented under a repost of the meme, “Girl SAME 
” while actress Gabrielle Union added, “Say it louder for the people in the back!”
Even the original meme queen herself, Rihanna, seemed to co-sign the moment by liking a fan account post that featured Vanessa’s story.
A Life in the Public Eye
Vanessa Bryant has long maintained a dignified presence in the public eye, especially after the tragic loss of her husband Kobe and daughter Gianna in 2020. Since then, she has devoted herself to family life, philanthropy, and honoring Kobe’s legacy through the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
Despite her privacy, she remains a frequent target of speculation — something she subtly addressed in another story: a quote card reading, “Peace is not needing to explain yourself.”
The Final Word
As of now, it seems clear: there’s no baby on the way — just a woman enjoying her life, her food, and her sense of humor.
And in the words of Vanessa herself: “Y’all wild. But thanks for the compliments.”