Beyoncé opened Kobe and Gianna Bryants memorial event with a performance of the songs, “XO” and “Halo.” The basketball legend and his daughter were killed in a helicopter crash a month ago with seven others.

The singer started to sing the opening of “XO” before she spoke to the audience and restarted. “I’m here because I love Kobe and this as one of his favorite songs, so I want to start that over, but I want us to do it all together and I want you to sing it so loud they hear your love,” she explained.

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Beyoncé respectfully altered some lines to her songs for the memorial performance. She swapped  “And I’m crashing into you” to “And I’m laughing into you” and she changed the line “You kill me boy XO” to “Just kiss me boy XO.”

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After a rendition of “Halo” backed by a choir of singers and musicians, Beyoncé finished her set with the added line, “He will be your, she will be your halo.”

“I love you,” she told Vanessa Bryant, widow of Kobe Bryant, before exiting the stage.

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Later during the program, Beyoncé was seen comforting Vanessa during Michael Jordans heartfelt speech. The two held hands during the tribute until Vanessa could collect herself.

 

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