Clutch Magazine: Vanessa Bryant and the Baller Wife's Lament
Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at 10:01AM
Vanessa Bryant in New York Magazine.Monday for Clutch Magazine Online, I touched on a recent article by New York Magazine regarding the lives of actual pro-basketball player wives (not the drink-throwing, Vh1 variety). Reading the article gives you insight on why those on the losing end of the baller wife game would turn to reality TV to mourn their loses and salvage their egos. Because if you get that glass slipper in the form of a wedding ring, there seems to be a lot of fashionable perks for a woman newly flush with basketball cash. Case in point, the tale of Vanessa Bryant who stood by her husband Kobe Bryant -- even through a rape charge -- and reconciled with her hubby after considering divorce last year. Maybe it's love. Maybe it's love of "the life."
You be the judge.
Here's a snippet:
In the article Bryant says she and her baller husband are “working on things.” Last year she filed for divorce, but it appears the two have reconciled. Still, it’s easy to speculate that their life has been about a negotiation (or war) between love and money for years. From that long ago press conference after her husband was accused of rape, to the cheating allegations that still pop up today, you can’t help but wonder how much that desire to work things out is rooted in what’s best for her children and her love of the life – and not-so-much love towards her husband.
Reader Comments (4)
i mean the proverbial undercurrent is the fact that most people feel that anyone of her race marrying a black man would not stay if it werent for the money. the issues that the spanish community always has with blacks even tho they are black, is always anissue. i mean no one would care if she were nene leakes they would simply let it pass. perhaps she's LOVES him perhaps she doesnt whose to say.
I may be showing my age here, but there's an expression..."Women who marry for money earn every cent." I don't think Vanessa or Kobe are happy. That aside, they have 2 lovely daughters who will soon be exposed to what the internet says about their Mom and Dad. I am not envious at all.
I don't think anyone is under the impression that these marriages are NOT quid pro quo. Since they live in California and have no prenup, she'd get half of his money since he married her early in his career (and therefore only a couple of years of his salary wouldn't be divided in half to give to her).
These guys like non-black trophy wives, and the wives usually put up with their garbage to live the life. She's gotten plastic surgery on her nose and implants and wears extensions and lots of makeup to fulfill her part. I'm guessing she likes being a public figure since money wouldn't be much of an issue. Why else stay with an accused rapist and admitted cheater.
I think the comment about liking champions says it all, although I'm not sure why anyone is paying attention to anything she has to say...but I guess that kind of proves why so many women clamber for this lifestyle and tolerate lots of humiliation. There is a price on pride for some people, and for her it is measured in carats and dollars.
The pity is she isn't her own person and never will be.