Inside Dannielynn Birkhead’s Surprisingly Normal World

As a seasoned observer of human drama, I find the story of Dannielynn Birkhead and her unique upbringing to be quite captivating. The young lady has navigated through a complex web of circumstances that most of us can hardly imagine. Her father, Larry Birkhead, has skillfully guided her through this labyrinth, providing explanations tailored for her age while maintaining the dignity and memory of Anna Nicole Smith.


It’s quite appropriate that Dannielynn Birkhead has a fondness for rollercoasters given the tumultuous ups and downs she experienced during her initial year on earth.

Sadly, half-brother Daniel Smith tragically died due to an overdose during a visit to mom Anna Nicole Smith and her newborn daughter at a Bahamian hospital. Not long after, the death of the famous model Anna Nicole Smith, who was once a prominent figure in Playboy magazine, occurred under strangely similar circumstances.

Additionally, a drama unfolded over the custody issue involving Larry Birkhead, Smith’s lawyer Howard K. Stern, Zsa Zsa Gabor’s husband Frédéric Prinz von Anhalt, and others, each making a claim for the 5-month-old child. This lengthy spectacle came to an end in April 2007 when Larry, armed with paternity test results, emerged from the Nassau courthouse to announce to the gathered reporters, photographers, and onlookers, “I’m sorry to say this, but…I told you so.

As a devoted follower, I can confirm that Larry’s description of his daughter, now an adult who celebrated her 18th birthday on September 7, as fearless – someone who welcomes the unexpected challenges, curves, and even the heart-stopping drops in life – certainly resonates with me. It fits her persona perfectly.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, the father declared his daughter was his whole heart, celebrating her special day filled with a ‘Beetlejuice’ theme. His affection for her transcends words; he simply adores her more than language can convey. He wishes her continued growth, always remaining humble and kind, spreading love generously to others. He is incredibly proud of the amazing person she has become.

Similar to many parents, particularly single ones, a University of Louisville graduate, aged 51, shared that his days are often spent juggling multiple roles. He jokingly told Us Weekly in 2017 that some days he feels like a bodyguard, while other days he feels like a chauffeur. The role he prioritizes, however, is being a dad, and he believes he’s done a commendable job. His child has adapted well and lives as an average kid.

Larry found himself unexpectedly a father with a simple DNA test, and to ensure his daughter lived a typical childhood instead of being trapped in the spotlight like many celebrity offspring, he made swift decisions. His initial step was to return to his hometown of Louisville, which is approximately 2,000 miles from the glare of Hollywood. In an interview on the Today Show in 2016, he explained that living in the Midwest removes the chase, eliminates intrigue, and prevents the spread of false stories.

In Kentucky, “life has been intentionally peaceful and wonderful” according to Larry, who now resides in Florida. He added that this environment has also provided a strong foundation for Dannielynn, with her focusing on her education and even earning a spot on the Honor Roll!

For many years now, Larry has made an effort to guarantee that Dannielynn experiences rollercoasters in their literal sense only.

Regardless of the extraordinary circumstances of her birth and early life, this teenager lives a rather ordinary existence: completing high school, learning to drive, attending comic book conventions, enjoying Duran Duran music (they attended a Duran Duran concert for Father’s Day last year), and she often takes the most awkward selfies with her dad.

The two of them continue to be close enough to coordinate matching Halloween costumes (back in 2018 they opted for an “Exorcist” theme), take family vacations to Dollywood and Walt Disney World, and attend the annual Kentucky Derby together. In fact, Larry humorously mentioned in a 2023 birthday tribute that when asked if his friend could live in his basement forever, he said yes, although he neglected to mention there are no basements in Florida.

In their home, they never let a day pass without discussing Anna Nicole’s enduring legacy. While they typically celebrate the anniversary of her death on February 8 with cake and his most cherished anecdotes, he shared with TopMob News in 2019 that “every day is Anna day” for them. They frequently chat about her and keep her memory alive.

Speaking about Anna Nicole, Larry often reflects on the joyful times they shared together. In an interview for a 20/20 special in February 2021, he noted that their relationship had many happy moments initially, which came before any challenges or difficulties.

Larry went on to say, “Anna ought to be honored as a towering personality, but one with a heart full of care and generosity. She was a stunning woman who cherished her followers and adored her family.

Similar to many parents, particularly single ones, a University of Louisville graduate, aged 51, shared that his days are often a blend of different responsibilities. He humorously told Us Weekly in 2017 that one moment he feels like a bodyguard, and the next like a chauffeur. The role he plays depends on the day, but his primary duty is being a father. He believes he’s done a commendable job as a parent, as she has adapted to the situation and is now just an ordinary child.

Plunged into parenthood following a DNA test, Larry opted for swift choices to ensure his daughter lived a typical childhood instead of the high-profile lifestyle often experienced by celebrity offspring. His initial action was a return to his hometown, Louisville, situated approximately 2,000 miles from the glare of Hollywood. In an interview on the Today Show in 2016, he described life in the Midwest as removing the pursuit, the speculation, and the unfounded stories.

In Kentucky, as Larry explained to TopMob News after his move to Florida, life there was intentionally peaceful and wonderful. This tranquil environment also provided a strong foundation for Dannielynn, who is focusing on her studies and has even earned a spot on the Honor Roll!

He might nonchalantly bring up this milestone to Howard K. Stern, who used to be an adversary but are now quite close. According to Larry, the two fathers soon understood that they needed to act maturely in their situation, and subsequently, Anna Nicole’s former attorney and partner abandoned any claims of custody.

Larry mentioned that, during an interview with ABC News’ 20/20, he recounted him saying, “See, you need to be strong. You need to support Dannielynn,” following the paternity test. As soon as the test was concluded, he began assisting me in changing Dannielynn’s diapers and showed me how to feed her. Since then, it has been a continuous endeavor.

Over time, their connection, initially a cautious friendship, has evolved into something stronger. As they frequently collaborate on various projects, Larry expressed this sentiment to TopMob News: “We work together constantly,” he said. “He offers guidance and stays in touch with us. Some might find it unusual, but he’s an excellent friend who has provided consistent support.

As for Larry, his paternal instincts kicked in pretty quickly and he learned to listen to his gut. 

Similar to when Guess asked if his 6-year-old daughter might model for their brand, which made her mom famous in many households. Facing accusations of exploitation from critics, Larry clarified that this experience was primarily about fostering a connection with the mother she had never met, rather than exploring future career prospects.

Dannielynn has consistently admired her mother’s likeness, and it seems this is how she chooses to honor her mother uniquely. In an interview on Good Morning America in 2012, he mentioned that seeing her mother’s photo alongside hers as a Guess model might be one of the few ways Dannielynn feels connected to her mom, since they were both Guess Kids models.

To this very moment, that event stands as a unique occasion. Since then, various companies have reached out to him, expressing an interest in her modeling, but he has declined every time because she shows no inclination towards it and wishes to continue being a child.

It was reported by her teacher that Dannielynn delivered an incredibly convincing performance in the school play. This was shared during a September 2019 interview with Jesse Palmer for Daily Mail TV. If she chooses to pursue acting when she grows up, I’ll have my own thoughts about it.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I can certainly attest to the thrill of stepping into a character’s shoes for a school play. It’s an exhilarating experience, almost like becoming someone else temporarily. The joy it brings is undeniable!

As a devoted follower, it’s evident that she’s no ordinary teenager. For instance, when we’re out shopping and she glances at herself on the tabloid cover in the checkout line or casually inquires about having her own YouTube channel yet again, these actions underscore her unique spirit.

Instead of other kids her age carelessly uploading videos on the sharing platform or dreaming about clips to boost their popularity, Larry’s daughter needs to be cautious because anything she posts would gain significant attention. As he explained to Us Weekly, “Yes, your friend might have a YouTube account, but if you have a YouTube account, it’s different. People recognize who you are.

Instead, she often visits a site for makeup tutorials and harbors aspirations of launching her own cosmetics or fashion brand, or even solving crimes. Larry shared with People magazine in 2023 that she took a forensic class in high school and enjoyed it, which sparked discussions about her interests. He added, “As kids often do, she may be talking about this today, but tomorrow, she might be interested in something else.

Just as any concerned father might, Larry restricts his daughter’s internet usage (allowing her to browse TikTok under a false identity) while sharing numerous posts on their joint Instagram account. He also keeps most public appearances at bay, except for when the Kentucky Derby visits the town.

The main event and the Barnstable Brown Party the evening prior are time-honored traditions, primarily because it was the same gathering where Larry initially met Anna Nicole, but also because it’s a local event that’s filled with enjoyment. In an interview with TopMob News at the 2015 event, he referred to her as his good luck charm, stating that she selects all the winners.

If Dannielynn had her preference, Larry would discover someone special on his own. One of her delightful pastimes often involves proposing potential suitors for him. “Dannielynn tries to set me up,” he shared with TopMob News back in 2013, referring to her as a matchmaker.

She doesn’t merely desire her father to be content and involved in a relationship for over a decade since his relationship with Anna Nicole concluded; she definitely wants that as well. However, from Larry’s perspective, what she really yearns for is another woman in her life.

And it not like he’s uninterested in finding love…

He had earlier declared to TopMob News that he had been on several dates, but clarified he wasn’t using dating sites or similar platforms. However, being a single parent makes dating challenging, and it becomes even harder when potential partners are well-acquainted with his past relationships, particularly exes. This difficulty was evident when he agreed to appear on The Millionaire Matchmaker in 2014.

Instead, he prefers keeping discussions about Anna Nicole private, sharing them only with his daughter.

They’ve certainly had some awkward ones, like the time Dannielynn asked why her Wikipedia page says her surname was Stern when she was a baby. Really, any time you’re discussing your Wikipedia page, you’ve ventured far away from the standard father-daughter talking topics.

Primarily, Larry tends to convey his accounts of Anna Nicole and her passing in a simple, uncomplicated manner. In other words, he usually says something like, “I told Dannielynn that your mom may have misunderstood or improperly used certain medications, and unfortunately, the doctors couldn’t save her despite their best efforts.

In 2017, he explained to Wendy Williams that he had restricted her computer access. He would then have a conversation with her, explaining, “You might find things about your mom, not all of it is accurate.” Each chat serves as a learning opportunity for him, using pieces of Anna’s life to teach lessons.

It’s clear that the teenager deeply yearns for a connection with the mother she never had, as evidenced by her asking Larry to bring an adoption brochure home unexpectedly and choosing the best one. Yet, it appears she has come to terms with the unique nature of her bond with her mom.

In her personal space, she often perceives her presence in a portrait made by Anna Nicole and in the playful butterflies that seem to follow her (her family friend once mentioned these could be messages from her mother). At times, it feels as if she’s seeing her on video calls. Watching the “My Heart Belongs to Daddy” music video of Anna Nicole, Larry notes that she would cheerfully exclaim, “You’re killing it, Queen!

Her backstory is a lot for anyone to handle, much less an 18-year-old who has to worry about things like entering adulthood and planning for college.

“I’m going to double major in forensic science and Japanese studies,” Dannielynn told TopMob in May. “I really have loved forensics ever since I was a kid. I would watch Dateline all the time. So I just find it really interesting, and I also love Japan and the culture and the language. So I was like oh, I can do those two things I love.”

So outside of a sojourn they made to the Bahamas in late 2017 to mark what would have been Smith’s 50th birthday, Larry works to keep the focus on normal teen drama.

“She’s a good kid,” he said, “and we laugh and have the best times and she wears me out.”

Just as Mom fearlessly embraces life’s adventures, she too dives headfirst without hesitation. On amusement park roller coasters, she tackles 200-foot drops with an air of nonchalance, even when he clings to her for dear life. “I told you last time not to hang on!” she exclaims, but he marvels at her spirit. At times, one must learn to let go and allow others their independence. Sometimes I’m in awe of how she manages situations.

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2024-09-09 18:49