Marlon Wayans opens up about transgender child Kai

Marlon Wayans opened up about fatherhood to his transgender child Kai in a candid interview on Tuesday's The Jennifer Hudson Show.

The Scary Movie star,  52, first revealed in November that his eldest child was transgender, saying 'I have a daughter that transitioned into a son.'

Discussing how he had adapted to Kai's transition, a doting Wayans said Kai is 'the same child they was before — they just got a beard now. Okay! Same baby.'

The father of three - who is also dad to son Shawn, 22 and daughter Axl, 21 months added: 'Those are my babies. I went through the five stages of grief to get to the beautiful, magical place called acceptance.'

Asked what he had learned through the experience, he said: 'I learned that I'm a lot stronger than I thought I was. I learned that my family — my brothers, my sisters — have prepared me to be a rock in our family.'

The star has been battling grief in recent years - losing both his parents within the space of three years.

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Marlon Wayans reveals his initial reaction to son Kai, 24, coming out as transgender

His mom Elvira Alethia died aged 81 in July 2020, while his father Howell Stouten died at 86 in April 2023.

He said: 'All this was happening to me at one time, and then it was just like this universal thing: acceptance. And once you accept, you release, give yourself to God and then everything is all right. It's better, actually.'

Wayans previously said he found himself in a period of soul-searching when he first learned that his eldest child 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.' 

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.'

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.' 

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.

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.'