Current:Home > reviewsMarlon Wayans talks about his 'transition as a parent' of transgender son Kai: 'So proud' -TrueNorth Capital Hub
Marlon Wayans talks about his 'transition as a parent' of transgender son Kai: 'So proud'
View
Date:2025-04-15 15:26:44
Marlon Wayans is opening up about his "transition as a parent" to a transgender child.
The actor and comedian, 51, revealed on "The Breakfast Club" radio show Friday that his oldest child is transgender and goes by they/them pronouns.
"I have a daughter that transitioned into a son," he began. "My daughter Amai is now Kai."
Wayans shares that he plans to talk about "my transition as a parent, going from ignorance and denial to complete unconditional love and acceptance" in an upcoming comedy special. "I think there's a lot of parents out there who need to have that message, and I know I'm dealing with it.
The "Scary Movie" star said initially his 23-year-old son's transition was "a very painful situation for me" but it's led to one of his "funniest" specials. The comedian is considering the titles "Skittles" and "Rainbow Child" for the comedy special, he said.
Wayans admitted that although he isn't always a perfect parent – and occasionally mixes up Kai's pronouns – his eldest child knows he's "trying and that I'm happy. … I gotta respect their wishes."
"I just want my kids to be free. I want them to be free in spirit, free in thought, free to be themselves. The more you know yourself, the more you can govern yourself; the more you live your truth, the happier your existence," he declared. "So, if they can’t get that in the household with their father and their mother, who do I send them out into the world with that kind of confidence?"
Wayans added: "I'm just so proud of them for being them. But that don't mean that they ain't got jokes!" He also shared that Kai was made aware of the comedic take on transitioning.
The comedian previously supported Kai when they came out prior to their transition.
"Happy pride to my pride and joy," he wrote on Instagram during Pride Month in 2019. "I wouldn’t change one effing thing about you. Love you to the moon around the sun through the galaxies and back again."
In the photo, Wayans' oldest sat with one leg stretched out in front, displaying a rainbow etched on the bottom of their sneaker.
Wayans shares sons Kai and Shawn, 21, with his ex Angelica Zachary.
Marlon Wayans' luggage disputecase dismissed; actor says he was targeted
veryGood! (27)
Related
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Atlanta is the only place in US to see pandas for now. But dozens of spots abroad have them
- Lander ‘alive and well’ after company scores first US moon landing since Apollo era
- More MLB jersey controversy: Players frustrated with uniform's see-through pants
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- Meet the cast of Netflix's 'Avatar The Last Airbender' live action series
- Dunkin' adds new caffeine energy drink Sparkd' Energy in wake of Panera Bread lawsuits
- Anti-doping law nets first prison sentence for therapist who helped sprinters get drugs
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Why the largest transgender survey ever could be a powerful rebuke to myths, misinformation
Ranking
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- Kitty Black Perkins, who designed the first Black Barbie, reflects on her legacy
- Dunkin' adds new caffeine energy drink Sparkd' Energy in wake of Panera Bread lawsuits
- Taylor Swift announces new song 'The Albatross' on 'Tortured Poets' album
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Hydeia Broadbent, HIV/AIDS activist who raised awareness on tv at young age, dies at 39
- Trial of ‘Rust’ armorer to begin in fatal film rehearsal shooting by Alec Baldwin
- Dolly Parton praises Beyoncé for No.1 spot on country music chart
Recommendation
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
Americans have more credit card debt than savings again in 2024. How much do they owe?
What is the hottest pepper in the world? Pepper X, Carolina Reaper ranked on the spice scale
Inside the enduring movie homes of Jack Fisk, production design legend
What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
Wind farm off the Massachusetts coast begins delivering steady flow of power
College basketball bubble tracker: Several Big East teams hanging in limbo for men's tournament
A look at Nvidia’s climb to prominence in the AI world, by the numbers