Ice-T is keeping his cool when it comes to parenting.
The Law & Order: SVU star said he didn't break a sweat when his and longtime wife Coco Austin's daughter Chanel went back to school this year. In fact, his reaction to the 7-year-old, who he described as a "spark plug," crushing on one of her classmates was as cold as ice.
"We've already discussed boys and stuff," he told E! News' Francesca Amiker, joking, "I've already shown her the graves I've dug in the backyard for the little boys who make her cry, so she already knows what's happening."
And since his little girl knows her "daddy is a gangster," Ice-T—who has partnered with Sanofi to spread awareness about the flu vaccine—admitted that Chanel "doesn't want to talk to me about boys."
"She had a little crush in the first grade," the 65-year-old shared. "We teased back and forth. It's not serious yet."
But whether Ice-T likes it or not, Chanel is growing up fast. The second grader recently made her runway debut at 13th Annual Rookie USA Fashion Show in New York City, and it was an emotional occasion for the family.
"Coco cried," the rapper recalled. "This was her first time being on stage by herself—and it was big!"
Sharing that Chanel "had a blast" at the New York Fashion Week event, Ice-T said he's proud his daughter is forging her own path. "Everybody needs their own accolades," he said. "It doesn't matter how many accolades I got—Coco needs hers, Chanel's getting hers now."
The Grammy winner added that Chanel—who's slated to star in a new reality series with her mom titled Coco Loves Chanel—will "stay involved" in the spotlight "as long as long as it's fun" for her.
"We'll never push her into anything," he said. "As a kid, it should all be fun at this point."
As for Ice-T, he's having his own fun lending his voice to Sanofi's new flu vaccine campaign, which is inspired by a horror movie trailer. "A potential threat coming this fall," he narrates in the four-minute PSA. "It's not a wolf or a vampire—it's the flu."
To see Ice-T and Coco's cutest moments with Chanel, keep reading.
Model Behavior
Coco Austin and Ice-T (real name Tracy Marrow) supported their daughter Chanel Nicole Marrow as she walked the runway at Haddad's fashion show in September 2025.
Baby, You're a Firework
The family celebrate Fourth of July together in 2024.
Angel of Mine
"Arrived," Coco wrote from The Guitar Hotel in Florida in June 2023 while giving Chanel a piggy-back ride in front of some rainbow angel wings.
Pinky Promise
"First day on vacation!" Coco wrote in June 2023. "Thank you @sugardollllz for always coming through, keeping Chanel and mines matching flow going!"
Red Carpet Moment
Chanel and Coco Austin supported Ice-T during his Walk of Fame ceremony in February 2023.
Walk of Fame Fam
The family of three posed in front of his newly minted star in Los Angeles.
If the Shoe Fits!
Baby Chanel enjoyed a shopping outing with her mom in Prague in 2018.
Daddy's Girl
"Every moment with daddy is super cool..Even Cheeto time!!" Coco captioned this 2018 photo. "Late night snack on bus."
Summer Fun
The model and her little one soaked up the sun at their house in Arizona in 2018.
Model-In-Training
"Someone caught me in mom's shoe closest again," Coco wrote of Chanel in 2018. "So I guess I'll strike some of my poses."
Growing Collection
The then-2-year-old showed off her enviable collection of toys in this adorable post.
Royal Family
Coco and Ice-T took Chanel to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas in 2018.
Makin' It Rain
Starting young! Chanel made it rain with cash in this hilarious 2018 snapshot.
High Five
At 13 months, Chanel was already growing up to be a big star!
Thumbs Up
It was a family day at iPic Theaters when Ice-T and Coco brought Chanel to see The Girl on the Train.
Sweet Style
Little Chanel dressed up for New York Fashion Week with a pair of custom, crystal-embellished sneakers.
#Perfection
Even as a baby, Chanel was always ready for her close-up.
Shoe Game
Coco better watch out because Chanel got her eyes on mama's heels.
Peek-a-Boo
Baby Chanel played peek-a-boo with her dad.
Flamingo Cutie
Coco captioned this photo, "Don't hate on my pink flamingo outfit!"
Furever Friends
Baby Chanel bonded with the family dogs Spartacus and Maximus.
Giddy Up
She even for to hitch a ride with Spartacus.
Twinning Again!
The mother-daughter duo were all smiles in their matching striped swimsuits.
Tutu Cute
Chanel looked quite happy to be spending the day with her mama on a photo shoot!
Sound Check
The baby watched her dad perform with the band Body Count in Arizona.
Dog Sitter
Chanel appeared with her big fur brothers Spartacus and Maximus.
Meal Time
Coco shared this photo of Chanel eating solid food for the first time in 2016.
Hats Off to a Baby Fashion Icon
Chanel was ready for spring in this floral get-up.
Lovebug
"I spend more time getting Chanel dressed than me," Coco quipped in 2016. "Its an event everyday. I love it when everything matches perfectly."
Princess of Personalization
Even Chanel's baby bloomers had her name on them!