During her annual father-daughter date at the Kentucky Derby, Anna Nicole Smith's daughter Dannielynn Birkhead paid tribute to Janet Jackson and her late mom at the same time.
On May 6, the 15-year-old joined her dad Larry Birkhead at the Barnstable-Brown Gala, the biggest of the horse race's pre-parties, wearing a black pantsuit with a large, double studded belt. "Dannielynn is wearing Janet Jackson's personal outfit that Janet wore to the 2003 Barnstable-Brown Gala," Anna Nicole's ex wrote on Instagram. "It was purchased as a part of Janet's @juliens_auctions benefitting charity."
Janet, who that night performed in Louisville at her first concert since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, also attended the 2022 party and met up with Dannielynn and Larry.
The 2003 Barnstable Brown gala is where Larry met Anna Nicole. At the time, he was working as a freelance photographer and she was filming her E! reality show at the event. Four years later, the model died at age 39. Dannielynn was only 5 months old.
She and her dad have attended the Kentucky Derby and its parties every year since 2010, often wearing matching or corresponding outfits.
In 2019, Dannielynn honored Anna Nicole by wearing a pink hat that her mom sported at the 2004 Kentucky Derby.
In February, Larry, 49, paid tribute to Anna Nicole on Instagram on the 15th anniversary of her death. "She was truly one of a kind," he wrote. "She struggled for love and acceptance. Just when she found a little piece of one or the other, life seemed to sabotage."
He continued, "Today, I remember your heart, your soul and your beauty, both inside and out. Your love is alive still to this day, in the form of a truly one of a kind teenager with her Mom's smile, beauty and courage. Thanks to Anna's fans for helping keep her memory alive. We love you Anna Nicole."
See photos of Larry and Dannielynn at the Kentucky Derby over the years:
2010
She's her mother's daughter, all right!
2011
Who needs a fascinator when you're this fabulous?
2012
Flower power! Anna Nicole's mini-me's fascinator is in full bloom.
2013
Chim chim cheree! The daddy-daughter duo take inspiration from Mary Poppins.
2014
Larry leads the way as Dannielynn smiles for the cameras.
2015
Think pink! Dannielynn and Larry pick coordinating colors for their festive frocks.
2016
At just 10 years old, Dannielynn is already a red carpet veteran!
2017
Everything's coming up roses for the twosome!
2018
Dannielynn and her dad are feeling blue, in a good way!
2019
The tween is all smiles in a yellow floral dress as she poses with her dad.
2019
Dannielynn and Larry attend the 2019 Kentucky Derby. He tweeted, "Kentucky Derby time once again. Dannielynn looks pretty in pink in her dress by Junona and her Mom's hat from her unforgettable appearance at The Kentucky Derby in 2004 #KentuckyDerby2019."
2021
All smiles!
2021
Masked up!
2021
They're back! Dannielynn and dad Larryreturned to celebrate the Kentucky Derby with these corresponding looks a day before the annual event.
2022
Larry and Dannielynn appear at the 2022 Barnstable-Brown Gala, a Kentucky Derby pre-party. Dannielynn is wearing the outfit that Janet Jackson wore to the 2003 Barnstable-Brown Gala. Larry said it was purchased in a Julien's Auction, with proceeds benefitting charity.
2022
Anna Nicole Smith's daughter, then 15, sports a colorful look as she poses with dad Larry Birkhead at the 2022 Kentucky Derby.
2023
The 16-year-old steps out in style with her dad Larry Birkhead after paying tribute to her late mom with a fashion statement at the Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Eve Gala in May 2023.
2024
The 17-year-old sports a Gianfranco Ferre dress once owned by Janet Jackson and purchased at Julien's Auctions while attending the Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Eve Gala in May 2024.
2024
The 17-year-old appears with her dad Larry Birkhead en route to the 2024 Kentucky Derby, and debuts a new lob hairstyle.
2025
While joining her dad Larry Birkhead at the Barnstable Brown gala during 2025 Kentucky Derby weekend, the 18-year-old wore the same outfit her late mom wore to the same annual party in 2004.
2025
The two coordinated in aqua at the main event.