Now, Vanessa is firing back … saying she lawfully selected L.A. as her venue because that’s where the January 26th helicopter crash occurred — and she’s digging in her heels to keep it there. Not only does Vanessa point out the Bryants have lived in Orange County for nearly 20 years and Kobe’s “popularity there is just as strong as anywhere else” — but she also claims it really doesn’t matter where you go, Kobe is beloved all over the U.S.