Actor Marlon Wayans described how he navigates his relationship with his transgender child alongside his ongoing friendship with comedian Dave Chappelle, who faced heavy criticism for anti-transgender jokes in his 2021 special, The Closer.
In an interview with Variety, the 53-year-old “White Chicks” star defended Chappelle’s intentions, stating that he would not “hang with Dave if he was full of hate.”
Wayans explained his perspective on the comedian’s approach to his work.
“I don’t hang with people like that. I know Dave’s heart, and his intention isn’t to punch down,” he said. “Dave wants to freely tell his jokes, and if you’re going to be anti-comedy, then he’s going to keep attacking you until you learn to have a sense of humor. He’s just standing there and defending his front line as a comedian.”
Wayans described himself as being caught in the middle, explaining that he is able to balance his support for both his friend and his child.
“As a comedian, I respect his journey. And as a friend, I respect his journey. And for my child, I respect their journey,” he said. “And as the father of my child, I can appropriate my feelings toward my friend and my feelings toward my child, and how we can put those two things together and I can explain both sides to each other.”
Wayans announced in November 2023 that his eldest child, 26-year-old Kai, is transgender and uses they/them pronouns. Kai Wayans is Marlon Wayans’ child with former partner Angela Zackery, with whom he also shares a 24-year-old son, Shawn Wayans.
Although Marlon Wayans acknowledged that adjusting to Kai Wayans’ transition was initially difficult, he said he quickly chose “unconditional love and support” over hesitation.
The actor has consistently used public platforms to protect his family from online hostility.
“All of my kids are gifts, and our love is the wrapping paper,” Marlon Wayans told Variety. “I’m not here for hate. Transphobia is a form of hate. Homophobia is a form of hate. Racism is a form of hate. All those small-hearted, small-minded people, there’s a hell for you. And if you think you’re gonna bully my child, go somewhere else. It’s not going to happen. I won’t stand for it.”
These remarks follow multiple high-profile instances where Marlon Wayans confronted figures over anti-transgender or homophobic behavior.
On an episode of the “Club Shay Shay” podcast in 2024, he criticized Tesla CEO Elon Musk for disowning his transgender daughter, Vivian.
“I have a Tesla that I’m about to drive over a cliff,” he said. “I don’t like what he be saying about his trans child. You don’t treat them babies like that. You don’t disown your babies.”
Additionally, in 2025, Marlon Wayans responded to a homophobic slur directed at Kai Wayans by rapper Soulja Boy. Writing on X, Marlon Wayans posted: “If @souljaboy had a career he could get canceled for this type of slander. Luckily he ain’t been relevant since 2007.”
