Larry Birkhead, father of Anna Nicole Smith’s only daughter, Dannielynn, is treading carefully when it comes to his 18-year-old stepping into the spotlight.
As someone who’s seen the entertainment industry from behind the camera, the 52-year-old photographer admits he’s “hesitant” about the idea of his daughter entering showbiz full-time.
“I’m hesitant,” Birkhead told E! News. “I’ll support her if she chooses it, but it’s not my first choice. Then again, it’s not my life.”
He acknowledges the pressure and public judgment that could come with Dannielynn following in her late mother’s footsteps. “People are quick to judge. They’ll say, ‘Oh, here she goes, following in her mom’s footsteps.’ And because her mom passed away, people attach a negative connotation to it.”
Anna Nicole Smith died of a drug overdose in 2007, just five months after giving birth to Dannielynn. That experience left a lasting impression on Birkhead, who now tries to guide his daughter with the caution of someone who’s seen both the glamour and the fallout of fame.
“As a dad, my job is to say: ‘Here’s what you might face.’ I worked as a reporter and photographer. I’ve seen the industry from the other side. I know what Anna went through. I just throw all that into a pot and say, ‘Are you sure this is what you want to do?’ I want her to make an informed decision.”
Instead of pushing her into entertainment, Birkhead has been encouraging a more balanced approach. He wants her to prioritize academics and view modeling or acting as something secondary for now.
“I always tell her: have an academic foundation as your main focus. Do modeling or acting on the side, and if it takes off, then reassess. I had a lot of educators in my family, principals, teachers, so I’m trying to pass that along.”
Currently, the two are looking at colleges, and Dannielynn already has a few favorites in mind. “We’re looking at touring some colleges. She has some ideas about where she wants to go and what she wants to do. There are a couple she’s really focused on.”
With Father’s Day around the corner, Birkhead shared that the annual tradition is all about quality time and letting Dannielynn take the lead. “I let Dannielynn pick how we spend the day. She always asks what I want to do, but we can never decide on anything. So, I flip it back to her, and it usually ends up being a theme park or some kind of fun adventure.”
And this year? “I think we’re doing Disney World, and probably hitting a water park too since it’s so hot.”
While the future is still open for Dannielynn, one thing’s for sure: she has a dad who’s rooting for her to make thoughtful choices, whatever path she decides to take.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
