Marlon Wayans, actor and comedian, is a proud father to two children: Kai and Shawn. He shares them with his ex-partner, Angela Zackery, with whom he was in a relationship from 1992 until 2013. Both kids have accompanied him to various red carpet events and premieres over the years, and Wayans frequently shares touching posts about them on social media. His love for his children shines through in his heartfelt messages, especially as he continues to support and embrace their individual identities.
What Has Marlon Said About Kai Wayans?
Kai Wayans, Marlon’s eldest child, was born on May 24, 2000. Recently, Marlon revealed in an interview on The Breakfast Club that Kai is transgender and uses he/they pronouns. Marlon shared that his journey as a parent has evolved, moving from a place of initial ignorance and denial to one of unconditional love and acceptance. He’s also announced plans to dive deeper into this personal experience in an upcoming comedy special, tentatively titled Rainbow Child.
Marlon has expressed immense pride in Kai’s authenticity and growth. During the interview, he emphasized how vital it was to create a supportive home environment, saying, “If they can’t get that in the household with their father and mother, how the f— do I send them out into the world with that kind of confidence?” His love for Kai remains a guiding force, with Marlon consistently stating that his children’s happiness and freedom to be themselves are paramount.
How Has Marlon Supported Kai on Social Media?
Marlon Wayans has often shared sweet tributes to Kai on Instagram, celebrating their journey and personal milestones. For Kai’s birthday in May 2023, Marlon posted a heartfelt message reflecting on how Kai has taught him the meaning of unconditional love. He wrote, “Be you! Your best you! You’re the gift and I’m wrapping paper… thank you for making me a man.”
Wayans’ support for Kai extends beyond birthdays. During Pride Month in 2019, he posted a picture of the two wearing rainbow-themed shoes, captioning it, “Happy pride 🌈 to my pride and joy. I wouldn’t change one effing thing about you.” Marlon’s open and loving approach has been evident as he proudly embraces his child’s identity, further showing his understanding of what it means to be an ally and parent.
In June 2024, he shared another post for Pride Month, draped in a rainbow flag to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, again showing his continued support for Kai and others. He wrote, “Happy PRIDE to all my LGBTQ+ peoples,” adding a humorous note that he is a “CISGENDER male,” but loves and supports his child and the community fully.
What About His Son, Shawn Wayans?
Shawn Wayans, born on February 3, 2002, is Marlon’s second child. Like Kai, Shawn has been the subject of many tributes from Marlon, who often expresses deep pride in his son’s character and personality. When Shawn turned 21 in February 2023, Marlon shared a sentimental post about fatherhood, calling Shawn “a natural born leader” and commending his humility, confidence, and humor.
Marlon’s relationship with Shawn is one built on mutual respect and friendship. In his birthday tribute, Marlon noted how their bond has evolved from father and son to best friends, remarking on how proud he is of the man Shawn has become.
How Does Marlon Bond with His Kids?
Marlon has made it clear that being a father is the most important role in his life, often celebrating his bond with his children both on and off the stage. Beyond public appearances at movie premieres and comedy shows, Marlon shares moments of everyday life with his kids.
Shawn, in particular, has been a part of his father’s professional journey. In September 2023, Marlon performed in Dallas and was thrilled to have Shawn in the audience. After the show, he posted a picture of them together, noting how performing in front of Shawn was the best part of the night. Similarly, in 2022, Shawn watched his dad perform in Las Vegas, and Marlon couldn’t contain his joy when his son praised the performance as one of his funniest.
How Do They Connect Through Humor?
As a comedian, Marlon has passed down his sense of humor to his kids, particularly Shawn, who also seems to share his father’s ability to laugh at himself. The two regularly bond over jokes and playful antics, often posting humorous videos on TikTok. In one clip, Marlon and Shawn rate each other’s outfits, with Marlon joking about how Shawn gets a kick out of his dad’s quirky sense of style.
Marlon’s playful nature shines in these moments, as he admits that Shawn is “the cool I never could be.” This shared humor strengthens their bond and shows how laughter is central to their relationship.
What Lessons Has Marlon Learned as a Father?
Marlon’s parenting journey has been one of learning and growth. He openly acknowledges that his children have taught him valuable lessons, particularly when it comes to love and acceptance. He reflects on how both Kai and Shawn have helped shape him into a more open and loving individual. In a touching tribute to Kai, Marlon noted that he had once asked people to love him unconditionally, and it was through Kai that he learned what that really means.
Marlon continues to express gratitude for the experiences his children have brought into his life, highlighting how proud he is to be their father. Whether through humorous social media posts, public tributes, or moments of heartfelt reflection, his love for Kai and Shawn is unwavering.
What’s Next for Marlon Wayans as a Dad?
Looking forward, Marlon plans to share more about his experiences as a father, particularly with Kai’s journey as a transgender individual, in his upcoming comedy special Rainbow Child. He hopes that by sharing his story, he can help other families navigate similar situations with love, acceptance, and understanding.
For Marlon, fatherhood is more than a role—it’s a journey of growth, learning, and unconditional love, one that he embraces wholeheartedly. As he continues to support his children in their unique paths, his message remains clear: be yourself, and you will always have a loving home.
