Current:Home > MarketsMarlon Wayans talks about his 'transition as a parent' of transgender son Kai: 'So proud' -Core Financial Strategies
Marlon Wayans talks about his 'transition as a parent' of transgender son Kai: 'So proud'
View
Date:2025-04-22 06:00:13
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! (7)
Related
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- Spoilers: How deaths gave 'House of the Dragon' big 'Game of Thrones' energy
- 'Bluey' and beyond: TV shows for little kids parents love (and some we hate)
- Motorcyclist dies in Death Valley from extreme heat, 5 others treated
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Department of Education and Brown University reach agreement on antidiscrimination efforts
- The 2025 Toyota Camry SE sprinkles sporty affordability over new all-hybrid lineup
- Cherokees in North Carolina begin sales of recreational marijuana to adult members
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Moulin Rouge's iconic windmill sails restored after collapse just in time for the Olympics
Ranking
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- NASA's simulated Mars voyage ends after more than a year
- Keanu Reeves, girlfriend Alexandra Grant hop on motorbike at Grand Prix in Germany
- Glen Powell's Thirst Trap Photo Will Make You Sweat
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Ice Spice Reacts to Festival Audience Booing Taylor Swift Collab
- Kesha Addresses Body-Shamers in Powerful Message
- American citizen working for drone company injured in Israel
Recommendation
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
Who is Emma Navarro? Meet the American who advanced to the Wimbledon quarterfinals
Justice Department files statement of interest in Alabama prison lawsuit
The US housing slump deepened this spring. Where does that leave home shoppers and sellers?
Travis Hunter, the 2
Candidates in pivotal French legislative elections drop out in tactical move ahead of final vote
What is the best retirement age for Social Security? Here's what statistics say
Brad Pitt appears at British Grand Prix with girlfriend Ines de Ramon as 'F1' teaser drops