Marlon Wayans reveals eldest child is transgender: ‘It was a very painful situation for me’
Actor and comedian Marlon Wayans revealed Saturday that his eldest child has come out as transgender.
Appearing on “The Breakfast Club” podcast, the “White Chicks” star spoke openly about his child’s transition and how it has affected him.
“I have a daughter that transitioned into a son,” Wayans, 51, said on the podcast. “My daughter Amai is now Kai, and so, I talk about the transition.”
“Not his … their transition, but my transition as a parent, going from ignorance and denial to complete unconditional love and acceptance,” the actor continued.
The Post reached out to Wayans for additional comment.
Wayans told the podcast that his upcoming comedy show — which he revealed was operating under the working titles “Rainbow Child” or “Skittles” — is intended to help other parents in the same situation that he found himself in as a father.
“I think there’s a lot of parents out there that need that message and I know I’m dealing with it,” the “Scary Movie” actor told the outlet. “It was a very painful situation for me but, man, it’s one of the best hours I could ever imagine.”
Wayans, who shares Kai, 23, and Shawn, 21, with his ex-partner Angelica Zachary, said that though he occasionally uses the wrong pronouns, he is dedicated to doing better and learning.
“They know. They know I love them. They see me try and they’re like, ‘I’m happy,'” the “Dance Flick” actor said.
“I gotta respect their wishes,” the comic continued. “And as a parent I just want my kids to be free — 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,” Wayans continued. “So if they can’t get that in a household with their father and their mother, how the f – – k do I send them out into the world with that kind of confidence?”
Wayans added that he was “just so proud of them for being them.” However, the seriousness of the topics wouldn’t prevent him from poking fun at it. Kai has since given their father approval to perform the jokes.
Wayans has already performed the show in front of a seemingly unlikely audience: high-ranking military and government officials and even a few world leaders.
“All you world leaders in this summit, I want you to think about these people and this synapse and how to be inclusive of this next generation,” Wayans recalled saying. “I see a lot of grey hair here, but these kids that we’re dealing with, they’re different.
“We can’t have our old ways and expect to do new things, so please embrace the new,” he added.
Several viewers praised Wayans’ remarks about his eldest child via social media.
“What an incredible man and excellent parent. Wow,” one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote in response.
“Love this,” another user wrote. “The type of dad I strive to be every day.”
“Beautiful. Absolutely phenomenal fatherhood,” a third person gushed.
