Vanessa Bryant has responded to criticisms about her marriage to Kobe, following a rare interview that the mother of two did with New York magazine.
The 29-year-old NBA wife boasted about her privileged lifestyle and said 'I certainly would not want to be married to somebody that can't win championships.' Her comments were blasted as being shallow and critics flocked to social networking sites where she was slammed as being a 'gold digger' although Bryant insists that her words were taken out of context.
'I'm sad to hear that comments in my New York Magazine interview are being misconstrued and taken out of context. I have and will continue to support my husband's dreams,' Bryant told TMZ.com.
'I have been with Kobe for 13 years. I accepted his marriage proposal PRIOR to him winning any of his 5 championships with his teammates. For anyone to think otherwise is wrong. It is not about being married to a 'winner' it is about our sacrifice as a family,' she added.
Bryant accepted Kobe's marriage proposal in May 2000, which was one month before he went on to win first ever championship in June of 2000, according to TMZ.
In the controversial interview, Bryant discussed designer labels, her marriage, and at one point bragged about getting preferential treatment from the Lakers organization whenever she attends her husband's basketball games..