An attendee of a recent comic convention in China has sparked internet outcry for wearing a Kobe Bryant helicopter crash costume following the loss of the NBA legend and eight others, including his teenage daughter, in the tragic 2020 incident.
Footage of the shocking look made the rounds on social media this week and features the individual wearing Bryant’s Lakers uniform and a mask with his face on it as cardboard and plastic bottles make up the remainder of the insensitive piece.
X users have widely condemned the outrageous costume as “tasteless” and “vile.”
“That’s vile. It honestly hurts my heart to see this. I hope the person feels shame and regret for this ‘costume,'” one user posted Tuesday.
“Nothing is funny about any of the women, men, or children that lost their lives in that helicopter crash. I have nothing else to say that would be remotely positive regarding this,” a separate user wrote.
One X user also expressed: “Out of line and disrespectful for this mockery of Kobe.”
Social media video of the convention scene also captured onlookers watching the individual dressed as Bryant as some took photos.
Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine people who perished in a helicopter crash en route to a youth basketball game in California four years ago.
He was 41 years old.
Bryant is survived by wife Vanessa, whom he wed in 2001, and daughters Natalia, 21, Bianka, 7, and Capri, 4.
In February 2023, Vanessa and her family were awarded $28.85 million following a lawsuit over photos from the horrific crash, which had been taken by responders at the site and shared with law enforcement officers and others.
Bryant, a five-time NBA champion and 18-time NBA All-Star, retired after the 2015-16 season.