By Meg Wagner, Veronica Rocha, Mike Hayes and Rachel Bowman, CNN
Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant's widow and Gianna Bryant's mother, started her remarks at the memorial by remember her "baby girl."
She said Gianna Bryant — also known as Gigi — would kiss her good night and good morning daily. Even on mornings when Vanessa was still sleeping, Gianna would kiss her while she was asleep.
"She was so thoughtful to remember to kiss me every day," Vanessa Bryant said. "She was daddy's girl but I know she loved her mama."
Vanessa Bryant fought back tears as she took the stage at her late husband and daughter's memorial service at the Staples Center.
"Thank you all so much for being here. It means so much to us. Love you, too," she said as the crowds applauded and cheered.
"First I'd like to thank everyone for coming today. The outpouring of love and support that my family has felt from around the world has been so uplifting. Thank you so much for all of your prayers. I'd like to talk about both Kobe and Gigi, but I'll start with my baby girl first. My baby girl," Vanessa said.
She is speaking on stage right now.
Jimmy Kimmel gave a heartfelt speech before introducing Vanessa Bryant.
Despite holding back tears, Kimmel managed to get a laugh out of the audience saying, "In places where you would be booed on the court, Kobe is missed. Even the great Boston Celtic Bill Russell wore No. 24 on a Lakers Jersey to yesterday's game. I knew he would come to us eventually."
Kimmel ended his speech encouraging everyone to embrace each other, "So since we are here today to celebrate, I'd like to invite you right now to take a moment to say hello to the people around you, whether you know them or not, to be grateful for life and for the fact that we are all here together."
Beyoncé opened memorial service for Kobe and Gianna Bryant by singing "XO" — one of his favorite songs.
"I'm here because I love Kobe, and this is 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 that he hears your love. Are you all ready? Love you," she told those in attendance.
A memorial service for Kobe and Gianna Bryant has now started at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Beyoncé opened the service by singing Kobe's favorite song, "XO."
Before the service started, photos and videos of Kobe and Gianna were shown on the scoreboard. Then Vanessa Bryant and her family walked in to standing applause.
From CNN's Paul Vercammen
The scene outside the Staples Center this morning buzzed with fans, vendors, and a heavy police presence. Fans, many in a purple or gold Kobe Bryant jerseys, lined up along Figueroa Street to honor the late basketball legend.
Brothers Anthony and Edward Mercado woke at 5 a.m. and arrived hours early to pay respect to their "icon" and "hero" whom they say they have idolized since they were children.
"As a kid, whatever it was, in the park playing basketball, you want to be Kobe, the greatest," Edward said, admitting he would probably cry once inside of Staples Center.
"It’s a blessing to be here," Edward said. "This is a part of history going down now and I'll talk to my sons about this moment. I got chills right now as we talk."
Anthony said he was inspired by Bryant's “mamba mentality" to be better.
"Kobe always made sure he was great at anything he did and he inspired us," Anthony said. "He inspired everybody around the world to be great at what you do and inspire other to do the same."
From CNN's Omar Jimenez
The programs all attendees received at today's memorial concluded with a heartfelt quote from Kobe Bryant to his daughters.
Here's what the program said:
“Lastly to our daughters … You guys know that if you do the work, you work hard enough, dreams come true. You know that, we all know that. But hopefully what you get from tonight is that those times when you get up early and you work hard; those times when you stay up late and you work hard; those times when don’t feel like working – you’re too tired, you don’t want to push yourself – but you do it anyway. That is actually the dream. That’s the dream. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey. And if you guys can understand that, what you’ll see happen is that you won’t accomplish your dreams, your dreams won’t come true, something greater will. And if you guys can understand that, then I’m doing my job as a father.”
The memorial service for Kobe and Gianna Bryant will start soon. Here's what it looks like inside the Staples Center in Los Angeles:
From CNN's Eric Levenson
Every guest who enters Staples Center for today's memorial will get a shirt of Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, a ticket, a small pin and a “Celebration of Life” booklet.
Here's what it looks like:
