KEY POINTS

  • Netizens were furious that Kobe Bryant wasn't mentioned in the “In Memoriam” segment at the 2020 VMAs 
  • Several twitter users questioned Bryant's absence in the segement since it also featured late artists not part of the music industry like Chadwick Boseman
  • Bryant's family and fans celebrated what would have been his 42nd birthday last week

Kobe Bryant's fans were not pleased that the NBA legend wasn't recognized during the 2020 VMAs "In Memoriam" segment.

The 2020 MTV Video Music Awards took place in New York on Sunday and the "In Memoriam" segment honored the stars who passed away in the recent months. Travis Barker mentioned late rappers Juice Wrld and Pop Smoke in the introduction and noted that the segment would honor “other brilliant artists we lost.” However, the segment ended without any mention of the late NBA superstar.

Also, not everyone mentioned in the segment was part of the music industry like Chadwick Boseman, so Bryant's fans got mad while watching the show. They believe that he deserved a mention and should have been included in the segment, so they took to social media to voice their complaints.

"Can’t believe Kobe Bryant was missing from the memoriam segment at the VMAs! WHAT?! #KobeBryant," @AbbyAbbyb1 wrote.

"They mentioned #ChadwickBoseman at the beginning of the #VMAs #VMA #VMAStanCam #VMAs2020 but they didn't mention #KobeBryant in the memoriam segment," another added.

"Someone please correct me if I’m wrong why did not the @vmas not mention @kobebryant and his daughter as they mentioned others who passed in 2020 #VMAs #KobeBryant," @CynChic tweeted.

"@MTV @vmas How DARE you guys Not pay tribute to KOBE BRYANT!!!! He is an Academy Award winner and Legend!!! And you choose to leave him out of your 2020 tribute! #BoycottVMAs #VMAs," another online user wrote.

"Who at the #VMAs forgot to include Kobe Bryant in the In Memoriam section?!? You added Naya and Chadwick, you weren't sticking to just music," another unhappy netizen posted on the micro-blogging site.

In related news, Bryant’s wife Vanessa, daughter, sister, NBA colleagues and more celebrated what would have been his 42nd birthday last week. They remembered the NBA legend’s special day and shared sweet messages on social media to commemorate his natal day.

"To my baby~ Happy birthday," Vanessa wrote. "I love you and miss you more than I can ever explain. I wish you and Gigi were here to celebrate YOU! I wish I could make you your fav food or a birthday cake with my Gigi,” Vanessa wrote.

"Thank you for growing up with me and teaching me how to be strong. How to try to see the best in people but cutout the bs. Your thoughtful gestures and the amazing way you made us all feel is extremely missed. I picture your smile and wide big welcoming hugs daily," she added.

"Happy Bithday Dad [red heart emoji] I miss your smile, laugh and big bear hugs," Vanessa and Bryant's 17-year-old daughter Natalia wrote.

Alex Rodriguez, LeBron James and Bryant's Nike and Lakers family also paid tribute to him on his birthday.

Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant was killed in a January helicopter crash. GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / David Becker
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