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'For Vanessa and the family, peace and love' | Spike Lee's suit honors Kobe Bryant at Oscars

Spike Lee is honoring Kobe Bryant at the Oscars on Sunday with a custom suit displaying Los Angeles Lakers colors.
Tonya Lewis, left, and Spike Lee, dressed in in a jacket in honor of late Kobe Bryant, arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

LOS ANGELES — Spike Lee is honoring Kobe Bryant at the Oscars on Sunday with a custom suit displaying Los Angeles Lakers colors.

The filmmaker was spotted on the red carpet ahead of the 92nd Academy Awards in Los Angeles wearing a purple tuxedo with gold trim. One of the late Lakers legend's numbers, 24, was stitched on the back of the jacket and lapels. Lee topped his ensemble with a purple cap.

The “BlacKkKlansman” director was also wearing a pair of Bryant’s Nike sneakers.

In an interview during ABC's coverage before the show, Billy Porter asked Lee about honoring "one of the greatest humans who ever lived."

"We just gotta love each other man," Lee said, mentioning that the community has to support and rally around Bryant's wife Vanessa Bryant. "For Vanessa and the family, peace and love," he said adding that spreading love is the Brooklyn way.

It's not the first time Lee has walked the red carpet in a purple suit. He wore one last year too as a nod to late musical artist and close friend Prince.

Roots frontman Questlove said Bryant was “a great person, a stand-up guy.” The Philadelphia native recalled the waves Bryant made in 1996 when he convinced Brandy to be his date at prom. Bryant and Questlove had since struck up a friendship based in part on their Philly upbringings.

“Anytime I saw him or his family there’s always been love,” Questlove said. “It’s very devastating. We’re all grieving right now.”

Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas Jan. 26 along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others. The basketball great will be part of the Oscars' In Memorium segment.

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