On the April 30, 2025, episode of the IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson podcast, the former First Lady and her older brother Craig were joined by two members of the Wayans' entertainment dynasty, brothers Damon and Marlon Wayans.
As two of 10 children, the discussion covered stories from their childhood in the Fulton Houses housing project in New York City, their family's still growing Hollywood legacy, and what they've learned from raising their own kids and being uncles and great-uncles to many more.
Marlon once joked to Black America Web that his family needed to be introduced to condoms because he had "40 nieces and nephews." Damon, at age 64, is a father of four and grandfather of seven. Marlon, at age 52, has three children, but no grandchildren yet.
A lot of attention has been paid to Marlon's parenting of late, after he publicly announced his support for his transgender son Kai Zackery Wayans.
On the podcast, Marlon Wayans shared:
"When they went through the transition, I actually went through transition."
You can see the clip here:
Near the end of the podcast episode, Michelle Obama asked Marlon Wayans about their son, Kai Zackery Wayans:
“Well, speaking of parenting, I wanted to talk, Marlon, a bit about, you know, just so proud of how you are being a role model for dealing with a child that's transgender."
"And that's, you know, that warms my heart—particularly [for you] as a black man—you know...would you care to share that journey?”
Marlon responded:
“Well, I learned, like—and their transition really taught me—what real unconditional love was. When they went through the transition, I actually went through transition."
"I went from denial to complete acceptance. And it took me a week to get there."
"And what I've learned as a parent is for you to stop loving your child because of their choice and their life? That's a poor reflection on you. You know what I mean?"
Regarding people who aren't accepting, he said:
"When there's people that go, 'I'm not going to associate with you because you do that or this is against God and this isn't'. It's like, listen, I am not here to judge. I am NOT God. Only God can judge. I say this, you know?"
"And if that's a mistake and we get to heaven and God don't let my child in, I'ma shave a beard and sneak him in through the back."
"But I'm going to love my baby and I'm never going to, I'm a father and I'm always going to defend them. I was going to protect them. I was gonna respect them. And there's nothing anybody could ever tell me."
Speaking of the backlash from some fans, Marlon stated:
"I could lose fans—good. I lost people that are small minded, small hearted and self-loathing. So goodbye. And I gained, for every one I lose, I gained 150 more, you know?”
Damon Wayans interjected:
“So for me as uncle, you know, it's, I love you, period. Right? But somebody got to write a rule book and how I need to treat you. Because I don't know.”
After referring to the roughhousing done with his other nephews, Damon added:
“Can I treat you like my other nephews? I don't know. You know, and I don't want you to ever feel that I'm judging you.”
Obama replied:
“That's right. Because you just don't know. I used to say it's like going to your grandmother and expecting them to learn a new language overnight, you know?"
"It's like they've been speaking this language, using pronouns in this way for their entire life. And to get it wrong, it's a mutual patience with the process.”
Marlon—whose son Kai uses they/them pronouns— responded:
“And they've been very patient with me and their mother, because, you know, when they changed their name, I'm like, I called you Amai for 23 years. What do you mean, Kai? Kai, I know you as Amai."
"What do you mean them? I know you as her. And it was, it was a process. And at the end of the day, it's respect that… that's what they want. And that's their wishes."
"So respect their wishes and I know that the same child is in there. That's it! They're brilliant, right? And that's all I really care about is they're kind-hearted, they're really funny, have a great sense of humor, and extremely intelligent."
Focusing on what's important, Marlon stated:
"And, you know, those are the things I'm proud of. Are you a good person?"
"I don't care about your sexualities and, you know, all these other things, your genders or associations. I care that you are a good-hearted person. That you take care of your siblings, your mother, you’re respectful."
"They have been wonderful their whole life. I've never had any problem with them at all. So, you know?”
Obama added:
“And I like to be putting that out there for the world, I mean, because we just, especially in our community, we've sacrificed a lot over this issue. Um, and, and it's all about realizing that we got to love people how they come to us, period."
"Not just our kids, but all kids. And the notion that, you know, we would, uh, you know put people in unfair advantages, put them, their lives at risk over some nonsense.”
Marlon concluded:
“Because those are bad people. End of the day, when you are being divisive like that, you are a bad person. Your core is bad."
"No matter what you do, you're not gonna make your way in heaven."
"My job is to be here to give laughter and to give love and everything that gotta be my intention and will always be. And like I said, I'm a father, that's my baby. And I fight with them to the end. Period.”
The small-minded ignorance Marlon called out in the podcast showed up when the clip was shared on X...
...but some people shared support.
Being the Wayans—well known for their humor—there were some laughs mixed in with serious topics.
Like when Damon shared insight into becoming a grandfather.
Or when the brothers talked about who was tougher—the five Wayans brothers or the five Wayans sisters.
You can watch the full episode of the IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson podcast featuring guests Damon and Marlon Wayans here:
@WhiteHouse/X
