The Last Famous Person Kobe Bryant Cold-Called Was Anna Wintour

Anna Wintour is the last famous person Kobe Bryant cold-called.

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

Kobe Bryant likes to call people out of the blue just to pick their brains. We know this because, during NBA TV's Kobe: The Interview earlier this month, he talked about how he once cold-called legendary coach Tex Winter just to talk about the intricacies of the triangle offense.

"I cold call people all the time," he said. "If I'm curious about something and I want to learn something, I'll call and I'll ask."

With that in mind, USA TODAY reporter Sam Amick decided to ask Kobe about the last person he's cold-called during a recent interview. And he revealed that his last cold-calling victim was none other than Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. He wanted to learn more about how she's created "such a culture of excellence," and rather than just speculate about it, he decided to go straight to the source.

"We exchanged e-mails," he told USA TODAY. "She has a reputation in her industry similar to mine, and we drive people. But I was really curious to understand how she's able to create such a culture of excellence, of glamour, in her publication and be able to do it consistently year after year after year after year after year. How is that culture created within that company, and how is it sustainable?"

Kobe also revealed that famous people like Wintour are always surprised when he calls or e-mails.

"It's funny because the reaction is always the same," he said, "where everybody is a little taken aback because nobody has really had a chance to think about their own process and how they do things. It winds up being a therapeutic experience. You get a chance to think, 'How did I do this?' I don't know."

We love the idea of Anna Wintour getting an email from Kobe with a subject like, "Thoughts on leadership?" Now, who else has he randomly cold-called? The idea of him doing this on a regular basis is so fascinating to us.

1.

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Send all complaints, compliments, and tips to sportstips@complex.com.

[via USA TODAY Sports]

Latest in Sports