The internet is ablaze. For five years, the world has mourned Vanessa Bryant, a global icon of strength and resilience in the face of unimaginable loss. The outpouring of support following Kobe’s death was, frankly, overwhelming. But something has shifted. The whispers have turned to accusations, the empathy to judgment, the support to outright hostility. It began with the confirmation of the “Grinch” Nike Vapor Edge Kobe 6 cleats—a seemingly innocuous detail, yet it ignited a furious debate surrounding her choices after Kobe’s passing.

The speculation has spiraled. Allegations of “weirdness” and “disrespect” are rampant, fueled by claims about her relationships, her decisions surrounding her family, and particularly, her perceived lack of restraint in moving on. A particularly virulent segment of the internet is fixated on her personal life, dissecting every interaction, every photograph, constructing narratives of betrayal and a failure to honor Kobe’s legacy. Remember that time she was photographed posing with a well-known basketball player? Or the rumors of a “prolonged pregnancy” – swiftly and definitively debunked, but nonetheless fueling a maelstrom of outrage.

The narrative has become a twisted obsession, a collective projection of anxieties around grief, loss, and the perceived sanctity of mourning. The constant barrage of opinions, the relentless scrutiny—it’s a chilling echo of the very real struggles Vanessa Bryant has faced. The online mob demands she adhere to an impossible standard, frozen in time, perpetually mourning. Yet, can a woman truly be held accountable for a life that continues, for a legacy that evolves alongside the passage of time? Consider the speculation surrounding the possibility of a “prolonged pregnancy,” a conversation so invasive, so deeply rooted in societal anxieties about women’s choices after loss.

The most alarming aspect isn’t just the hostility—it’s the chilling demonstration of how readily the internet can transform grief into a weapon. The claims of controlling her body, dictating her happiness, reminding her of the permanence of death – it is almost monstrous. Where do we draw the line? Isn’t it time we treated Vanessa Bryant, and everyone struggling with loss, with a little bit more compassion and less like the internet. It’s a brutal reminder that grief is not a linear process, nor is Vanessa Bryant’s journey through it.

The internet isn’t built for a generation to get to see, her or anyone, for all the hate and online arguments. However, we need to treat her with as much respect as Kobe Bryant deserved to be treated.

**Discover now** how the world will be remembering Vanessa Bryant.