Anna Nicole Smith's ex Larry Birkhead said that his daughter Dannielynn faces 'pressure' to follow in her late mother's 'footsteps.'
The 53-year-old photographer, who attended the Kentucky Derby with his daughter over the weekend, opened up about the topic during an interview with People at the Barnstable Brown Gala on Friday.
Smith died at the age of 39 in February 2007 and her death was later ruled as an accidental drug overdose. The late model welcomed her daughter to the world less than one year before her tragic death.
Birkhead talked to the outlet about the 19-year-old's achievements in college and voiced his support for whichever career she chooses to pursue.
'I'm excited for her to just follow any path that she wants,' he expressed.
'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.'
Birkhead added that he is 'all about whatever she wants.'
He further gushed that he is 'proud' of his daughter and revealed that she 'got good grades' during her first semester of college.
Dannielynn offered additional insight into her studies and revealed that she is currently majoring in forensic science.
'I might double major, possibly, in something regarding culinary, because I love baking. I don’t know.'
The teen also shared that she doesn't mind being compared to her late mother, saying it 'always make me feel good, because I love my mom.'
Smith followed a career in modeling and acting which included her appearance in Playboy Magazine and becoming Playmate of the Year in 1993.
She also collaborated with brands such as Guess and H&M.
The late star also took on roles in films including Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994) and the thriller To The Limit (1995).
Last year, Birkhead also discussed his daughter's college plans and which career she was interested in pursuing at the time.
He said to People that Dannielynn is 'actually interested now ... [in]starting to model and act after all these years of people asking her to do it and saying no.'
'Now, she's actually maybe wanting to put her foot in the water and say, "Is this something that I really want to do?"'
Birkhead admitted he has 'mixed feelings' but added that he will be 'a supportive parent.'
Also on Friday, Smith's look-alike daughter Dannielynn unveiled a new edgy look during a rare red carpet appearance with her father at the Barnstable Brown Gala ahead of the annual Kentucky Derby.
The pair posed for memorable photos that were shared to Birkhead's Instagram page and he gushed how his teen daughter was 'rocking' the new look.
Dannielynn wore a strapless black gown from Punk Rave that contained a fitted bodice and semi-sheer fabric that flowed down towards the ground.
Her blonde locks were trimmed into a shorter pixie cut with the ends dyed a darker hue.
He said to People that Dannielynn is 'actually interested now ... [in]starting to model and act after all these years of people asking her to do it and saying no'
Also on Friday, Smith's look-alike daughter Dannielynn unveiled a new edgy look during a rare red carpet appearance with her father at the Barnstable Brown Gala ahead of the annual Kentucky Derby
'Another year another Barnstable-Brown Gala for the @Kentuckyderby weekend,' he wrote in the caption. 'Dannielynn is rocking a fresh cut and "goth-rock" style with her @punkraveclothing dress.
'She insisted I get in on the theme with my Phillipp Plein jacket. Looking forward to a great time for a great cause.'
Dannielynn had sported long platinum blonde locks in recent years before debuting her latest transformation.
And while stopping by the gala, Birkhead gushed that his daughter is 'coming into her own' during an interview with People.
Before cutting her hair, the photographer recalled Dannielynn telling him that 'she wanted something edgy and cool' and admitted that he had been 'a little worried.'
'I was kind of bracing myself at the hair salon. I guess she's at the age to do what she wants to do.'
The photographer further explained that Dannielynn has been diving into a 'different style' this year.
'People [are] always looking for her to wear something of her mom. And she's done that a couple times, but this is kind of Dannielynn showing off her own sense of style and she said it's a goth rock theme...'
Birkhead and his daughter are no stranger to the Kentucky Derby and have made previous appearances.
Last year, the teen notably channeled her late mother while wearing the halter-styled black gown that Smith had donned at the Barnstable Brown Gala 21 years earlier.
Birkhead had called the moment 'full circle' as he shared pictures to Instagram at the time. The photographer and Smith had first met at the Barnstable Brown Gala in 2003.
And back in 2023, Dannielynn sweetly paid homage to the model by wearing a Guess shirt that had black and white images of the late star.
Smith welcomed her daughter to the world in September 2006, less than a year before her tragic passing at age 39.
After her death, multiple individuals stepped forward to claim that they were Dannielynn's father, including Birkhead. Following DNA tests, it was revealed that he was the biological father.
Smith also welcomed a son named Daniel in 1986 with ex-husband Billy Wayne Smith.
However, at the age of 20 in September 2006 - Daniel passed away in Smith's hospital room due to an accidental drug overdose. Days earlier, Smith had given birth to daughter Dannielynn.
On Saturday, Birkhead and Dannielynn made another appearance together shortly before the Kentucky Derby officially kicked off.
The pair stepped onto the red carpet in coordinating looks at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
The teen wore a black strapless dress with white floral embellishments as well as a matching hat.
And her father opted for a sleek white suit which was paired with a black shirt as well as black dress shoes for the special festivities.