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Photo credit: people.com
Damon Wayans Jr. is the proud parent of six children.
Coming from a renowned family in comedy, Damon Jr.’s children span a wide age range from toddlers to early adulthood, suggesting they may carry on his family’s entertainment legacy.
The host of Raid the Cage has two older daughters, Amara and Aniya, from his previous relationship with Aja Metoyer. While he tends to keep his younger kids out of the limelight, he has made appearances with his daughter Berlyn in a TikTok video.
Discussing his role as a father, Damon Jr. shared with BET Talks in 2024, “Being with them as they grow is my happy place. I prefer spending time with my kids over going out; I want to guide them, provide advice, and share laughter.”
Damon Wayans Sr., a comedic legend in his own right and also the father of Damon Jr., has expressed his joy at being a grandfather. During a 2021 interview with CBS 8, he remarked, “I wish I had experienced being a grandfather before becoming a father—it’s a deeper love.”
Damon Jr. has even had the opportunity to work alongside his daughter Amara on the set of Poppa’s House, discussing the unique experience during his interview with BET Talks.
“They really do grow quickly,” he stated. “You have a baby, and in what feels like an instant, they’re part of your professional life.”
Here is a closer look at Damon Wayans Jr.’s six children.
Damon Jr.’s Family Expansion
In his conversation with BET Talks in 2024, Damon Jr. confirmed his role as a father of six, while keeping the details of his younger children largely private. He has two daughters, Amara (born in 2003) and Aniya, with his ex-partner and is also a father to Berlyn.
Damon Jr. has been married to Samara Saraiva since 2016 and together they have at least one son, with their youngest daughter born around 2020, adding to their family dynamic.
A Family of Creators
Comedy clearly runs in the Wayans family. In 2024, Damon Jr. and his daughters engaged in a series of light-hearted dances set to Kendrick Lamar’s Squabble Up, showcasing their playful family interactions.
He shared their entertaining video on Instagram with a caption celebrating their humorous approach, stating, “Squabble Up. Wayans style. We got that covered!”
Prior to this, Aniya included their grandfather in a TikTok where she humorously gave Damon Sr. a long ponytail while the lyrics “My hair, it don’t move” played in the background. Damon Jr. frequently appears in his daughters’ social media posts, even participating in the trending “Zesty Dad” challenge alongside his daughter Berlyn on TikTok.
Behind the Scenes at Work
As the year 2024 unfolded, Amara invited her TikTok audience to “wrap up the day” with her, culminating in a brisk exit from the set titled “Leaving work with family, 4 pm.”
Damon Jr. noted during his BET Talks session that Amara contributes to his show, Poppa’s House, often standing in for actress Essence Atkins.
“She demonstrates incredible dedication, always coming prepared and proactively engaging in the creative process with us,” he emphasized. “She is highly committed and skilled—shout out to Amara!”
Celebrating Milestones Together
Amara’s milestone moment came when she turned 21 in November 2024, an event she celebrated with a rather festive weekend alongside her dad.
A TikTok video from the celebration captured the joyous occasion, showcasing her dancing with her father and siblings, Aniya and Berlyn.
Expressing her gratitude, Amara captioned the video saying, “Recap of my 21st birthday featuring the best dad EVER!”
Berlyn’s New Chapter
Damon Jr. has embraced the role of grandfather, as his daughter Berlyn welcomed her own child, sharing a tender first glimpse of her baby on her Instagram Stories in April 2023.
Among her Instagram highlights, Berlyn documents their shared moments, from dress-up games to fun at the playground.
Grandfather’s Joyful Spoiling
Damon Sr. is relishing his grandfather role, joking during a 2024 interview with Ebony that this role requires a unique kind of preparation.
“I work out three times a week to stay active with my grandkids. It’s a joy, and now I even have a great-grand to adore,” he noted, referring to Berlyn’s child. He humorously recounted his experiences of captivating his grandchildren’s attention during a stand-up comedy performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
“Becoming a grandfather is incredible; it’s the most enjoyable way to parent,” he shared, elaborating on the creative ways he entertains his grandchildren to keep them from mischief.
In 2021, Damon Sr. quipped about his preference for being a grandfather, stating, “I don’t have to raise them, just spoil them. Grandkids can do no wrong.”
A Young Aspirant in the Family
Damon Jr.’s son aspires to be a basketball player, a dream his father openly supports. “I’m all for it, but I wonder about his height since he has exceptionally large feet,” Damon Jr. commented.
Damon Sr. also backs his grandson’s ambitions, actively assisting in his basketball training, noting that he values the opportunity to engage in such activities with him, a chance he didn’t have with his own grandfather.
“My grandfather never taught me basketball, but Damon’s son comes to me for lessons—somehow, he thinks I have skills,” Damon Sr. confessed.
Encouragement Without Pressure
Damon Jr. is open to his children pursuing careers in the entertainment industry but emphasizes that there is no pressure to do so.
He has shared that his children’s interests in show business vary. While some are drawn to the entertainment industry, others are not as certain. “The interests are diverse. My eldest two are interested; the third is unsure; the fourth has ruled it out; the fifth dreams of basketball; and my youngest may have a knack for performing, as she loves to talk,” he elaborated during his interview with BET Talks.
Damon Sr. expressed assurance to Ebony in 2024 that if any of his grandchildren choose to explore careers outside of entertainment, he would fully support them.
“That’s absolutely fine! There’s no pressure to enter this field. However, I can guarantee more enjoyment in this environment than being a dentist,” he humorously added.
Source
people.com