Marlon Wayans previously opened up about his oldest child’s gender transition, how it affected their relationship and the adjustments he had to make as a father. Some of those experiences later became part of his standup material.

In recent years, Marlon Wayans has spoken publicly about changes within his family, including his child Kai Wayans’ decision to come out as transgender. The development, which he first disclosed in an interview in late 2023, became a point of reflection for him as both a father and a public figure.

At the time, he described the process as a significant shift. Since then, Marlon has addressed the topic in greater detail, including during television interviews and live performances. He has also reflected on earlier moments in Kai’s life, offering context to the change and describing how his role as a father has evolved.

Marlon’s Public Support for Daughter Amai

Born Amai Zackery Wayans in May 2000, to Marlon and his ex-partner Angela Zackery, Kai came out to Marlon as gay at the age of 14. In a 2019 radio interview, Marlon recalled how Amai shared the news, saying, “Dad, I kissed a girl, and I think I liked it.”

Marlon responded by joking, “Really? [Expletive], you’re going to break the news to me in the form of a Katy Perry song? Why Katy Perry?” He added that he didn’t judge Amai and believed it was his job to offer support, not criticism.

In that same interview, Marlon said, “I love them. It teaches you, like, unconditional love.” He spoke about the importance of parents embracing their children, so they don’t feel alone or judged. “It’s my job to love my kid now,” he said. He also addressed religious views, saying, “Only God can judge.”

In June 2019, during Pride Month, he posted a photo of Amai wearing rainbow-colored shoes. His caption read, “Happy pride 🌈 to my pride and joy. I wouldn’t change one effing thing about you. Love you to the moon around the sun through the galaxies and back again.”

Two years later, in May 2021, he shared a throwback photo of himself holding Amai as a baby. “21 years ago today you made me a father,” he wrote. “Amai, you’re nothing short of exceptional. [You’re] intelligent, wise, weird, off-beat, strange, perfect, different, soulful, eclectic, sweet, talented, beautiful and so much more.”

In the same post, he thanked Amai for helping him grow and added, “I love you purely, humbly, wholly and infinitely… To the moon and back around the stars through every galaxy. For 2 4evers times Infinity plus 1 day.”

The following year, on May 24, 2022, Marlon again marked Amai’s birthday with a photo and message. “Man, time flies! You were just in my arms 22 years ago… I love you unconditionally and always will… I’m forever holding you in my arms,” wrote the actor.

It wasn’t until November 2023 that Marlon publicly revealed during an appearance on “The Breakfast Club” that Amai had transitioned. He stated, “My daughter Amai is now Kai Truth.” Marlon acknowledged that it had been a painful period but said the experience led to personal growth.

“I think there’s a lot of parents out there that need to hear that message,” he said. In the months that followed, Marlon reflected further on his adjustment as a parent, describing how he navigated this change both privately and in front of an audience.

Adjusting as a Parent: From Private Growth to Public Conversation

Following Kai’s transition, Marlon spoke about how the experience led him through a period of personal growth. In a 2024 interview, he said, “I went through the five stages of grief to get to the music—the beautiful, magical place called acceptance.”

He described the shift as something that happened while many things were changing in his life at once, but said it eventually brought him peace. “Once you accept, you release, you give yourself to God… everything is all right. Everything is all right. It’s better,” he added.

Marlon credited his siblings with preparing him to be a source of support. “I learned I’m a lot stronger than I thought I was,” he said. “My brothers and my sisters[…] they raised me. I had a village raise me to be this—this thing that you can… I got us, you know what I mean.”

Marlon also emphasized that his child had not changed in essence, “Through this journey, my child is the same child they were before—they just got a beard now.” He continuously support edKai in everyday matters, including teaching him to drive.

In a light-hearted moment, he shared, “We’re going to have to learn new habits and make wider turns.” As he navigated these changes, Marlon began speaking more openly about the experience—not only in interviews but also in his live performances.

Turning Experience into Material: Marlon Brings the Journey to the Stage

During his November 2023 appearance on “The Breakfast Club,” he said he was developing a comedy special, tentatively titled “Rainbow Child,” wherein Kai’s transition is addressed.

“I talk about the transition—not her transition, his transition, their transition—but my transition as a parent, going from ignorance and denial to complete unconditional love and acceptance,” he stated. He described the subject matter as difficult but also meaningful.

“It was a very painful situation for me, but man, it’s one of the best, funniest hours I probably could ever imagine,” he shared. He explained that he regularly uses humor as a tool for processing life events. “That’s my therapy. Life happens, and I go, ‘What’s funny about it?’ I’m literally trying to rescue myself,” Marlon told People magazine.

He has also had a longstanding agreement with his children, saying, “Whatever you do in life, just know that there’s a possibility I’m going to find some humor and talk about it.” Marlon first performed material about Kai’s transition at an event attended by government officials and other public figures.

It was important to him to deliver that set in such a setting, as he wanted those in leadership roles to think about the next generation. “Please embrace the new,” he advised.

Later that year, Marlon released his comedy special “Good Grief” in June 2024, which included personal reflections drawn from his experiences as a father. Outside of comedy, Marlon has continued to speak about parenting, often sharing how he approaches family life, support, and co-parenting.

Parenting with Openness: Marlon’s Approach to Family and Support

Marlon has often emphasized the importance of openness and communication with his children. In a 2017 interview, he explained that he shifted from a traditional fatherly role to one based on friendship.

“I stopped being their dad a long time ago. I was like, ‘We’re going to be friends,'” he said. His goal was to foster trust, especially as his children entered their teenage years. “At a point when they become teenagers and they’re dealing with real stuff, you have to have real conversations,” he explained.

Marlon shares two adult children, Kai and Shawn, with ex-partner Angela Zackery, and he has spoken publicly about their continued respect and close co-parenting relationship.

“At the end of the day, the person that you had those children with, you love and love dearly. And I always will,” he said. “I’ll always have nothing but love and respect for that woman. I think of her as my family.” In a 2020 social media post, Marlon thanked Angela for her role in raising their children and for her support through life’s challenges.

He has also expressed his belief in maintaining peace within the family, especially when discussing parenting younger children. Referring to a custody matter involving his youngest daughter Axl, whom he shares with Brittany Moreland, Marlon said, “I don’t do public battles. You don’t have to be together to let your child grow up in peace. Every child deserves that.”

As his children have grown older, Marlon has continued to maintain a close connection with them, often sharing moments from their lives and achievements while highlighting the ongoing bond they share.

Family Moments: Milestones and Marlon’s Continued Bond with Kai

Marlon has consistently highlighted milestones in his children’s lives, both privately and publicly. In 2018, he celebrated Amai’s acceptance into the University of Southern California with a social media post, writing, “When your daughter gets accepted to #usc go Trojans!!! #proudpapa congrats my love. I told you … you’re amazing!”

Years later, after Amai transitioned to Kai, Marlon continued to show his support and pride through public tributes, including birthday messages and reflections on fatherhood. These messages reflected Marlon’s bond with Kai, both before and after the transition, and his view of that relationship as continuous and grounded in love.

Marlon has also spoken about the dynamics of having his adult children live with him, describing himself as both supportive and, at times, embarrassing. In one conversation, he said, “I’m a great father. I’m super supportive, but I’m also very embarrassing.”

He spoke about family events like graduations and day-to-day life at home. Marlon has also remained active in celebrating his son Shawn’s accomplishments, including sharing highlights of Shawn’s basketball games and his graduation.

During a 2024 interview, Marlon spoke about his adult children living at home, specifically referencing Shawn, who had moved back in after graduating. He joked about their similarities, saying they accidentally swapped AirPods, which led him to tell Shawn, “Oh, so this ain’t going to work out. See, you got to get out.”

Through public comments, comedy, and personal moments, Marlon has offered insight into his relationship with Kai. It is shaped by change, adaptation, and continued support. His approach to parenting remains centered on presence, respect, and the belief that love should remain constant, regardless of the circumstances.