All bets are off—Danny Leanne Burkhead is the centerpiece at the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
This 18-year-old made a striking appearance in a dress that held sentimental value, wearing the same gown her mother, the late Anna Nicole Smith, donned back in 2004.
“Kicking off @kentuckyderby weekend with Dannielynn,” her father, Larry Birkhead, shared on Instagram. He noted how his daughter wore the very dress Anna Nicole had at this same event two decades ago. “It’s a perfect circle of life,” he wrote, mentioning that Dannielynn felt “super cool” being connected to her mom in this way.
“Next, after the Derby,” Larry continued, “we’re glad to spend time with Chloe (who is pictured), and I’ll attempt to show off some dance moves that I’m not ashamed of!”
The photo showcased Dannielynn beaming in a stunning black halter dress, featuring a plunging neckline and an eye-catching slit.
Her hairstyle also paid homage to Anna Nicole, who passed away from an accidental drug overdose in 2007, with Dannielynn opting for a soft updo reminiscent of her mother’s early looks.
Fans inundated the comments, praising the striking resemblance and expressing their admiration. “You look amazing! Larry and Dannielynn have both grown into beautiful individuals,” one user noted. Another remarked, “The similarities are uncanny,” while a third said, “At a glance, I mistook you for Anna; it felt like an old photograph.”
During their red carpet moment, Dannielynn expressed, wearing the dress felt like “the closest to a hug I could get from her.”
Larry shared his emotions about this experience in an interview, saying he had held onto the dress for years, and seeing Dannielynn in it touched him deeply. “The last time I saw Anna in that dress was emotional,” he recalled, remembering how young Dannielynn used to admire it.
“Now, seeing her actually wear it feels surreal,” he added, reflecting on how time has flown.
On the subject of fashion, Larry mentioned, “I think she’s experimenting with her own style, and I completely understand why she’d want to wear that dress. Anna had a wardrobe that was so vast, it’s remarkable that Dannielynn can mix and match pieces over her lifetime.” He even mentioned spending over $200,000 to preserve Anna Nicole’s wardrobe, ensuring her daughter could have access to it someday.
“I hope she finds some of these memories valuable one day,” Larry expressed.
When someone loses a loved one, it’s common to feel a pull to hang on to everything. “You navigate through those feelings of, do I need this? But if there’s even one connection to who her mom was, it makes it special,” he said.
Larry and Dannielynn have a deep familiarity with the Derby in Louisville, Kentucky—a tradition they’ve maintained since she was just three years old. Initially, they began attending because, as Larry joked, he canceled the first year he brought her because of a babysitter. Over time, their presence has become more anticipated, necessitating grander outfits.
In recent years, Larry noted how they’ve embraced Southern fashion together. “We’re really enjoying ourselves,” he said, reminiscing about when Dannielynn made her debut in a Janet Jackson dress at Derby last year, accompanied by a significant haircut for a new look.
Before Derby Day, they’ve always treasured attending the Barnstable Brown Gala, a meaningful event for both of them, as Larry mentioned on Instagram.
Anna Nicole was known for her distinctive style, which she showcased throughout her career, from her start in Playboy Magazine in 1992 to her modeling for major brands. Tragically, she passed away at 39, only five months after Dannielynn’s birth. A year before, her son Daniel also died, just 20 years old, also from a drug overdose.
At her hearing after her death, it was shared how inseparable Anna was from Daniel, who was a central figure in her life.
There were reports of Anna trying to reach out to Daniel during her final days, emphasizing their close bond.
Daniel had a chance to see his family the night before his passing, including a moment with Dannielynn, which was poignant for them all.
During his passing, allusions were made to David being her true father after some controversy, with Larry ultimately recognized as Dannielynn’s dad.
