Larry Birkhead says people want daughter Dannielynn to follow Anna Nicole Smith’s 'footsteps'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Dannielynn Birkhead, now 19, is carving out her own future instead of stepping into her mother’s spotlight. The daughter of Anna Nicole Smith and Larry Birkhead is choosing her own direction as she enters adulthood.

At the Barnstable Brown Gala ahead of the 2026 Kentucky Derby, Larry shared that many have suggested Dannielynn follow in her mother’s footsteps. Still, he stressed that nothing is decided and that her path will depend entirely on what she wants. “I’m all about whatever she wants,” he said, making it clear the choice is hers alone.

For those unaware, Dannielynn was just 5 months old when Smith died.

Larry Birkhead says Dannielynn faces modeling pressure

Speaking at the Barnstable Brown Gala on Friday, May 1, Dannielynn shared that she is currently in college. “I'm majoring in forensic science,” she said, adding, “I might double major, possibly, in something regarding culinary, because I love baking... I don't know," as per PEOPLE.

For now, she seems more interested in forensics and criminal studies than stepping into the entertainment world, though she is still figuring things out.

Larry, 53, stood proudly beside his daughter at the star-studded charity event. He and Anna Nicole Smith welcomed Dannielynn in 2006, a year before Smith’s death at 39.

The photographer said he fully supports whatever path Dannielynn chooses.

“I'm excited for her to just follow any path that she wants,” he shared. “A lot of people want her to follow in her mom's footsteps, and she's thought about that, and maybe she might switch back to that one day, but right now, she's kind of wanting to do her own thing with the forensics and the criminal studies.”

Dannielynn has just completed her first semester of college and, according to Larry, did well. He admitted it wasn’t always easy, but she pushed through in the end.

“You know, it was a little bit of a struggle to get across the finish line, like these horse races, but she got the steam at the end, and she pushed it across. She did a great job,” he said, adding that he is proud of her in every way.

Above all, Larry said he is happy to see his daughter staying true to herself. “I'm excited that she's just being her own individual self.”

Dannielynn Birkhead embraces own style, honors mother

This year, Dannielynn debuted a different look, saying it reflects her desire to shape her own style. At the same time, she doesn’t mind being compared to her late mother, Anna Nicole Smith. “It always makes me feel good, because I love my mom,” she shared.

“She's super pretty, and I like being compared to her in the sense of like, ‘Oh, I'm pretty too.’ But I also like being known as my own person,” Dannielynn continued.

 "Because it's always like, ‘Anna Nicole Smith's daughter,' and never just Dannielynn. So I'm hoping my look right now will kind of help with that in a way.”