Marlon Wayans shared his journey of accepting and supporting his son Kai after they came out as transgender.
The 51-year-old entertainer — who previously opened up about Kai’s gender identity — said he found himself in a period of soul-searching when he first learned that his eldest child, now 24, was transitioning.
‘It took me all of a week, and in that week I grew the most that I ever did in my life,’ the Requiem for a Dream actor told People on Friday.
He added that he went from ‘defiance to acceptance’ during that time.
‘You understand the purpose of kids and the beauty of unconditional love,’ Marlon continued. ‘At the end of the day, in my heart, only thing that matters to me is that my child is happy.’
Marlon Wayans shared his journey of accepting and supporting his son Kai after they came out as transgender; (pictured 2023)
The 51-year-old entertainer said he found himself in a profound journey of self-reflection when he learned that his eldest child was transitioning. (Pictured left to right: Kai Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans)
The star is dad to sons Kai and Shawn, 22, with ex Angela Zackery, and daughter Axl, 18 months with ex Brittany Moreland.
He also said that he incorporates Kai’s gender transition into his latest stand-up routine, aiming to provide not just laughter but also impart some valuable lessons.
‘I have a contract with my kids: “Whatever you do in life, just know that there’s a possibility I’m going to find some humor and talk about it,”‘ he explained, noting that Kai is ‘okay’ with their dad discussing their personal life on stage.
Marlon also admitted that his comedy routine won’t touch upon the intense custody dispute with his ex Moreland.
‘I don’t do public battles,’ he explained. ‘You don’t have to be together to let your child grow up in peace. Every child deserves that.’
In November 2023, Marlon first disclosed Kai’s transgender identity during an interview on The Breakfast Club.
‘I have a daughter that transitioned into a son. 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.’
‘It took me all of a week, and in that week I grew the most that I ever did in my life,’ the Requiem for a Dream actor told People on Friday
He also said that he incorporates Kai’s gender transition into his latest stand-up routine, aiming to provide not just laughter but also impart some valuable lessons
In an interview with the New York radio station, Wayans told how he hoped the potential upcoming comedy routine would help other parents whose children are transitioning.
He added: ‘I think there’s a lot of parents out there that need that message and I know I’m dealing with it.
‘It was a very painful situation for me but, man, it’s one of the best hours I could ever imagine.’
The comedian has two children with his ex-partner Angela Zackery – Kai, 23, and Shawn, 21.
Wayans admitted that although he may misstep on the occasional pronoun, he is fully behind his son, Kai, every step of the way.
During the chat, the Little Man actor gets confused with the pronouns, often switching between they, he and she – something he recognises he needs to work on.
He elaborated: ‘They know. They know I love them. They see me try and they’re like, “I’m happy”,’ said Wayans.
The screenwriter divulged that any ignorance he once had about the transgender community were quickly quashed when his son confessed they were transgender.
Kai, Marlon and Shawn pose at the premiere of A Haunted House at the Arclight Theatre on January 3, 2013
Continuing his sentiment, Wayans revealed he was always going to accept his eldest son and love him unconditionally for exactly who he is.
He passionately said: ‘I gotta respect their wishes 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 live your truth, the happier your existence.’
Speaking with DJ Envy, Charlamagne Tha God and Lauren LaRosa, the comedian added: ‘So if they can’t get that in a household with their father and their mother, how the f*** do I send them out into the world with that kind of confidence?’
‘I’m just so proud of them for being them – but that don’t mean that I ain’t got jokes.’
The actor revealed the Kai has no qualms about the jokes he tells in the upcoming skit, quipping that the show will be more meaningful than a few laughs.
Wayans has already performed Rainbow Child for a room full of military generals, world leaders and government officials.
Even though telling jokes about his child in a room of influential people was initially frightening, the comedian persisted because of what the skit represented – progress, his children and comedy.
He remembered his internal monologue saying: ‘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.
‘I see a lot of grey hair here, but these kids that we’re dealing with, they’re different.’
Support: Many viewers took to X, formerly known at Twitter, to express their admiration for the father-of-two
He added: ‘We can’t have our old ways and expect to do new things, so please embrace the new.’
Viewers were moved by Wayans’ openness and unconditional love for his child and commended him on social media.
Viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express their admiration who emitted nothing but unconditional love for his sons,
One commented: ‘What an incredible man and excellent parent. Wow!
‘Love this. The type of dad I strive to be everyday,’ another chimed in.
