Earlier this week the L.A. Times Mag released their exclusive photo shoot with NBA Star Kobe Bryant and let’s just say he was roasted all over the net because of them. They were going for high fashion, but fell a little short.
On Monday, James Valeri (the stylist of the shoot), sat down with L.A. Times to explain the concept and to defend Kobe.
“Kobe was amazing to work with because he was cool with everything. He trusted us. We took a picture and he liked it so we kept going. We wanted to do a picture with a hat because the photographer wanted to do everything in white. I didn’t want to use accessories that would look too retro. Let’s do it in a cool, young way because that’s what Kobe is. He’s a cool, young and successful athlete. I wanted to give a modern approach. I was thinking of [rapper] Tupac [Shakur] where I put a band underneath in the hat to make it look hip-hop, but … it translates in a surreal look where it creates a strong image. It was something that hasn’t been done before. It’s mixing the inspiration of Tupac and a gentleman with a white hat … a mix of a hip-hop and a conservative look.” [ READ MORE ]
Kobe Bryant = Real MVP/Best player in the NBA Hands down
some are nice…others not so much.
Imma need for him & whoever styled this shoot to have a seat. Please and thank you.
UHM………..NO!
Not saying he GAY but the pictures are GAY!
He should of known better to let them shoot him like this. PERIOD!
He is still responsible for his image. SMH
These pictures are a little…ummm sweet and fruity I dont think they should have made him where that hat something about the whole thing is too much..lmao..I cant even explain this..still lmao!!!!
LOOOOOL
\A MESS
I see…So are all the NBA players are going to start coming out of the closet…this is the new trend
These pictures are quite homosexual aren’t they!
These are the fugliest pics of Kobe. Some of them don’t even look like him.
I like the third and the fifth picture. That is all.
How can pictures be gay? Explain.
He just needs to have a mustache. That is all.
LMAO. It’s not even so much of him looking gay, he just looks like a fool.I died when I saw these. HILARIOUS!
uhm…that stylist is really reaching…there is nothing “cool” “young” “Hip-Hop” or “Tupac” about this…really it screams homosexual…and the make-up is just atrocious.
Lawd who in the world thought of this Tomfoolery? No maam, Kobe have a sit right this damn minute. LOL
Typo error. I meant have a seat.
OHH LORDY..NOT THIS MESS AGAIN..I DNT THINK I COULD EVER STOP LAUGHING AT THIS
The pictures look feminine that is what looking gay means, his poses are feminine he does not look masculine and to let someone take pictures like that makes me wonder about his sexuality, because a real man would have been like I do not feel comfortable with this pose lets do another, but Kobe apparently liked it……
hahahaha!!! he looks like a fool!!!! hahahahahahahahahahaha
oh my. aweful. i will say i like the hood looking one, and the one where he is standing near the ladder. but that hat etc. NAH!!!!!!!!!!!! C’MON SON.
Feminine and “looking gay” are not synonymous, so don’t make it to be. “Looking gay” is not even a real term. Spare me. Try again.
God forbid someone do something a little different.
I would say that the pictures are a little …dazzled n fresh. just to say the least! Its obvious that the photographer had a image that he was sicking too…That Alice n Wonder land hat with that ban is far far away from being anybody’s conservative! Try Again.
It makes him look gay…:-/
What the EFF? he is so gross and ugly..
I thought these pics were a freaking joke! I’m still LMAO! It’s pure comedy! Kobe is the most uncoolest guy in the world. WHY??
He would look better in our gear
Kobe look good in whatever he wears! Don’t be mad.
LOL…… dats all
This is not a good look, Kobe!
LOL!
I agree with Brandi that we have to be very careful saying that something “looks gay” (whatever that means) and comparing that to femininity. Do we make this leap because we do not have any other language to talk about actual gay men. This shortage of language, I believe, is quite problematic and deserves some attention.
Did the stylist feel the need to explain? Or is he just following up as self-promotion? I don’t understand. I hope this isn’t motivated by homophobia. Yes, the shoot is ugly as fuck but beyond his inability to model what’s the issue?
I know damn well they did not put Kobe in Tupac in the same breath. He needs to go back to the drawing board on that. NEXT
GAY GAY GAY! I could careless how Brandi wants to explain this mess. He looks gay as hell!
LMAO! I CAN’T…
Dammit Kobe wtf? Please don’t ever do anything like this again. Jeez.
Wow lmao! this is pure comedy!
Is he serious?????
LMFAO @ these GAY ass pictures! I cannot believed Kobe approved this fruity looking shit. It is definitely not a good look! All I can think of is peaches gay friend from low down dirty shame when i look at these!
wow…this is lowkey scary & creepy. like whoa buddy.
WTF Tupac gotta do with this monstrosity? Can’t defend these “high fashion” photos…lmao
Kobe looks sooo stupid!!! Why would he let the artist do that to him? smh
Uh…….I don’t see anything Tupac-related about these photos, what is this stylist talking about. I wouldn’t say the pictures look gay, but they just don’t look cool at all.
Damn. He looks so gay. Not that that’s a bad thing but.. I don’t know. These photos are just NOT working. I don’t even know what else to say. Horrific.
I KNOW THIS MOFO DID NOT BRING TUPAC’S NAME INTO THIS BULLSH!T. I WISH I COULD REACH INTO THIS COMPUTER AND B!TCH SLAP THAT FOOL RIGHT NOW.
JAMES VALERI B!TCH DON’T YOU EVER!
they look horrible . i m a stylist myself , no matter what the concept behind this was, it s horrible !!
All these stupid ass comments are… well, just stupid. Why do all americans have some obsession with gays? Everything different is gay. People will comment with anger with discrimination when there’s an incident against hate, but will then make comments
Shut up dev !
i haven’t seen tupac since 1996 anf he damn sho aint in these pics either! lol
He’s off the chain!!Kobe can model 4 sure!!
LMAO!!! Stop it! HAHAHAHAA these pictures are fucking hilarious, I’m dying right now!
Ditto NIkki ! ! !
he is not gay but the pictures were shot in a very gay-way…if that is even a term…
THAT AINT IT.
FAIL
WTF. This isn’t art this is just gay
Please note; I am not homophobic or have any problem with gay people.
I LOVE these pics! Very Chic!
KOBE IS FOOOOIIINNNNE. I LUV A MAN WHO IS SECURE ENOUGH TO BE CONFORTABLE WIT HIS FEMINIME SIDE……….SEXY
fareal yall, dat’s sexy, kobe’s da hottest dude out there, hes got money, fame n power…..dat’s a real man n hes gud looking
LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Interesting….I’m not hearing anyone complain Arabic look…I remember when Rachel Ray wore a scarf around her neck in arabic style…She was talked about and the scarf was removed from the photo for the magazine. Google it….OMG
Looks stupid as shit. I can’t stand his ass.