Dannielynn Birkhead Honors Late Mother Anna Nicole Smith at Kentucky Derby Gala
Dannielynn Birkhead, the 18-year-old daughter of the late Anna Nicole Smith and Larry Birkhead, turned heads and tugged at heartstrings as she kept her mother’s memory alive at the 151st Kentucky Derby. The annual event, a tradition deeply intertwined with her parents’ story, served as a poignant backdrop for Dannielynn to connect with her mother’s legacy.
During the Barnstable Brown Gala on Friday evening, the kickoff to the Kentucky Derby weekend in Louisville, Kentucky, Dannielynn donned a stunning black gown adorned with sparkling diamonds across the back. This was no ordinary dress; it was the very same gown that Anna Nicole Smith had worn to the same gala 21 years prior. The moment marked a powerful and emotional tribute to the late model and actress.
Larry Birkhead, Dannielynn’s father, documented the special occasion on his Instagram, sharing a photo of himself with his daughter at the gala. "Kicking off @kentuckyderby weekend with Dannielynn," he wrote. "First up, The Barnstable-Brown Gala. Dannielynn is wearing Anna Nicole’s dress that she wore 21 years ago to this same event. Life full circle." He added that Dannielynn had chosen the dress herself, simply stating that it was "her Mom’s and super cool."
He further expressed his intention to enjoy the festivities with Dannielynn and his niece Chloe, humorously adding that he would try his best not to embarrass them with his dance moves.
Dannielynn’s appearance was a carefully orchestrated homage to her mother. Not only did she wear Anna Nicole’s dress, but she also emulated her signature glamorous style. With the assistance of stylists Ryan Austin and Janna Allgeier, Dannielynn sported a blonde updo reminiscent of her mother’s iconic hairstyles. Makeup artist Rick Bancroft completed the look, recreating Anna Nicole’s bold red lip and striking eye makeup.
On the red carpet, Dannielynn spoke candidly about the significance of the halter gown and its connection to her mother. In an interview with Access Hollywood, she confessed to holding back tears as she explained the profound emotional impact of wearing the dress. "I feel good in it," she said. "I can’t know my mom, sadly, and this is one of the only reasons and ways I can. This is the closest I’ll ever be getting to a hug from her."
The Barnstable Brown Gala, a renowned Derby eve party, is known for its exclusivity and attracts a constellation of celebrities. The event benefits the Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center at the University of Kentucky, adding a philanthropic element to the glamorous affair.
For Dannielynn and Larry Birkhead, attending the Kentucky Derby festivities has become an annual tradition, a way to honor the past and create new memories together. The Kentucky Derby holds a particularly special significance for the pair, as it was where Larry first met Anna Nicole Smith in 2003. Despite keeping their relationship relatively private at the time, Larry has consistently returned to the historic event, ensuring that it remains a part of their lives.
Larry Birkhead has previously shared with Fox News Digital the importance of the annual tradition. "We had a really great time, and it’s kind of been a tradition that we would go every year," he explained. "That’s where I met Anna Nicole Smith. And it’s something that I’ve taken my daughter back every year since. She’s old enough to kind of understand what it is."
He further elaborated on how the Derby has evolved into a unique way for Dannielynn to connect with her mother’s memory. "Since I did meet her mom there, it started off just kind of me taking her back and showing her around and kind of letting her know the stories that, you know, this is kind of where I met your mom and things. And then it came to kind of people look for my daughter there because I really don’t let her do any public events. And, so, in all honesty, the Kentucky Derby is kind of the growth chart for Dannielynn."
The Kentucky Derby has become a symbolic marker of Dannielynn’s journey, a place where she can connect with her mother’s legacy and experience a sense of continuity.
Anna Nicole Smith tragically passed away in 2007 at the young age of 39, when Dannielynn was just 5 months old. Larry Birkhead fought tirelessly to establish his paternal rights after Dannielynn’s birth in the Bahamas in September 2006. He became a prominent figure in the public court battles that ensued after Anna Nicole’s death on February 8, 2007, as numerous individuals attempted to claim paternity.
Following a DNA test in April 2007, a judge officially declared Larry Birkhead as Dannielynn’s father. Since then, he has dedicated himself to raising his daughter out of the glare of the Hollywood spotlight, providing her with a stable and nurturing environment in his home state of Kentucky. His commitment to raising Dannielynn in a private and grounded setting has allowed her to develop her own identity while still honoring her mother’s memory.
