Marlon Wayans opened up about fathering his transgender son Kai in a candid interview on Tuesday’s The Jennifer Hudson Show.
The 52-year-old Scary Movie star first revealed in November that her eldest child was transgender, saying: “I have a daughter who became a son.”
Speaking about how he’s adjusted to Kai’s transition, a doting Wayans said Kai is “the same kid he was before, he just has a beard now. It’s 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.”
When asked what she had learned from this experience, she said, “I learned that I am much stronger than I thought. I learned that my family, my brothers, my sisters, have prepared me to be a pillar in our family.”
Marlon Wayans opened up about fathering his transgender son Kai in a candid interview on Tuesday’s The Jennifer Hudson Show; pictured together in March 2023
The star has been battling grief in recent years – she lost both of her parents within a three-year span.
His mother Elvira Alethia died at age 81 in July 2020, while his father Howell Stouten died at age 86 in April 2023.
She said: “All of this was happening to me at one point, and then it was like a universal thing: acceptance. And once you accept, you let go, you surrender to God, and then everything is fine. It’s better, actually.”
Wayans previously said he found himself in a period of introspection when he learned his eldest son was transitioning.
“It took me a whole week, and in that week I grew more than I have in my life,” said the Requiem for a Dream actor. People on Friday.
He added that during that time he went from “challenge to acceptance.”
“You understand the purpose of children and the beauty of unconditional love,” Marlon continued. “At the end of the day, in my heart, all I care about is that my son is happy.”
He also said that he’s incorporating Kai’s gender transition into his latest comedy routine, with the goal of not only generating laughs but also imparting some valuable lessons.
The 52-year-old Scary Movie star first revealed in November that her eldest child was transgender, saying, “I have a daughter who became a son.” Kai, Marlon and Shawn pose at the premiere of A Haunted House at the Arclight Theatre on January 3, 2013.
“I have a contract with my kids: ‘Whatever you do in life, know that there’s a chance I’ll find some humor in it and talk about it,'” he explained, noting that Kai is “okay” with his father talking about his personal life on stage.
Marlon also admitted that his comedy routine will not touch on the subject of his intense custody battle with his ex Moreland.
“I don’t get involved in public fights,” she explained. “You don’t have to be together for your child to grow up in peace. Every child deserves that.”
In November 2023, Marlon first revealed Kai’s transgender identity during an interview on The Breakfast Club.
“I have a daughter who became a son. My daughter Amai is now called Kai, and that’s why I talk about transition.”
‘It’s not your… your transition, but my transition as a parent, moving from ignorance and denial to complete, unconditional love and acceptance.’
In an interview with the New York radio station, Wayans said he hoped the possible upcoming comedy routine would help other parents whose children are in transition.
She added: ‘I think there are a lot of parents who need that message and I know I’m dealing with it.
Speaking about how he’s adjusted to Kai’s transition, a doting Wayans said Kai is “the same kid he was before, just now he has a beard. It’s okay! Same baby.”
Wayans is seen with Kai and his son Shawn in 2023
“It was a very painful situation for me but, man, it is one of the best hours I could imagine.”
Wayans admitted that while he may make occasional pronoun mistakes, he fully supports his son, Kai, every step of the way.
During the chat, the Little Man actor gets confused about pronouns, often switching between he, she and him, something he admits he needs to work on.
Wayans explained: “They know that. They know I love them. They see me trying and they say, ‘I’m happy.'”
The screenwriter revealed that any ignorance he had about the transgender community was quickly dispelled when his son came out as transgender.
Continuing his sentiment, Wayans revealed that he would always accept his eldest son and love him unconditionally for exactly who he is.
He said passionately: “I have to respect their wishes and as a father I just want my children 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 will be.’
Speaking to DJ Envy, Charlamagne Tha God and Lauren LaRosa, the comedian added: ‘So if they can’t get that in a home with their father and mother, how the hell do I send them out into the world with that kind of confidence?’
“I’m very proud of them for being themselves, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t jokes.”
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