Anna Nicole Smith's daughter, Dannielynn Birkhead, turned heads over the weekend as she stepped out with her father, Larry Birkhead, for a major event that once held significance for her late mother. Some fans loved Dannielynn's resemblance to her mom, while others were uneasy about how closely she mirrored her.

A fan's comment on Dannielynn Birkhead's resemblance to Anna Nicole Smith, from a post dated May 2, 2025 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

Dannielynn and Larry graced the annual Barnstable Brown Gala on Friday, May 2. The 18-year-old wore a floor-length black gown with a halter neckline and relaxed fit, which radiated elegance. The dress featured a split just above the knee, allowing it to flow effortlessly as she walked.

Dannielynn Birkhead, from a post dated May 2, 2025 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

Intricate, shimmering embellishments adorned both the front and back of the ensemble, giving it an added touch of glamour. Her dad,

Larry Birkhead

, coordinated with her in an all-black suit, complete with matching shoes and tie.

Dannielynn Birkhead, from a post dated May 2, 2025 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

The night was especially meaningful because of what Dannielynn was wearing—her mother's dress. Larry

shared

the full-circle moment on social media, posting photos from the event, “The Barnstable-Brown Gala. Dannielynn is wearing Anna Nicole's dress that she wore 21 years ago to this same event. Life full circle. She said she chose the dress because it was her Mom's and 'super cool.'"

Anna Nicole Smith during The Barnstable Brown Party at a Private Residence in Louisville, on April 30, 2004 | Source: Getty Images

The powerful visual connection between mother and daughter attracted attention from online fans who were quick to react with awe, admiration, and a bit of concern.

Anna Nicole Smith during The Barnstable Brown Party in Louisville, on April 30, 2004 | Source: Getty Images

One admirer couldn't believe their eyes,

exclaiming

, "Stoppp [sic] the resemblance is unreal 😭❤️❤️❤️." Someone else

gushed

, "Omg! She gets more beautiful every year!!!" Another fan was struck by the similarities,

writing

, "Her mother birthed herself. She looks and sounds JUST like her mother."

Larry and Dannielynn Birkhead, from a post dated May 2, 2025 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

A comment

pointed

out a specific feature, "Definitely her moms twin! Even has that gummy smile her mom had.[sic]" Someone was floored by the likeness,

stating

, "She's a clone of her, it's so crazy."

Anna Nicole Smith during The Barnstable Brown Party in Louisville, on April 30, 2004 | Source: Getty Images

However, not everyone was on board with the transformation, with one person

questioning

, "Why try and make his daughter look just like Anna Nicole. Let her be her own person." Another voice

chimed

in with concern, "I'm sorry but this is so wrong. She's not her momma and doesn't need to morph into her. IMO. Larry shouldn't let her go down this path."

Larry and Dannielynn Birkhead attend Barnstable Brown Gala during the 151st Kentucky Derby at Barnstable Brown House in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 2, 2025 | Source: Getty Images

And one commenter

expressed

deeper unease, "But there is something off about this whole thing. He is keeping Anna Nicole alive through her. What kind of pressure is this placing her state of mind in?"

The father-daughter appearance stirred up a wave of emotion and deep questions—all because

Dannielynn Birkhead

chose to honor the memory of a mother she barely got to know. Yet this isn't the first time her fashion choices have sparked conversation. Even during her recent 18th birthday celebration, fans had plenty to say about her style.

The celebration was magical. However, her choice of attire for the special occasion ignited a heated debate online, with some praising her unique fashion sense and others expressing their disapproval.

A fan comment dated September 10, 2024 | Source: Instagram/enews

On Saturday, September 7, her father took to Instagram to share a series of fun photos. He gave fans a glimpse of their adventure to the "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" The Afterlife Experience in Los Angeles. Clearly, the milestone birthday needed an out-of-this-world party — and that's exactly what she got.

A photo of Dannielynn dressed to impress on ther 18th birthday celebration posted on September 8, 2024 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

"Dannielynn had a great time celebrating her 18th birthday with friends and family by attending the @beetlejuiceafterlife.exp and @beetlejuicemovie which made for an out-of-this-world experience," Larry

captioned

the post, giving fans a sneak peek at the spooky yet exciting celebration.

A photo of Dannielynn getting her makeup done on ther 18th birthday celebration posted on September 8, 2024 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

Dannielynn went all-out with a gothic-chic look. She rocked an all-black outfit picked from none other than Hot Topic. "Of course, Dannielynn found a Hot Topic store to get a spooky outfit for all the fun! 😆 Happy 18th Birthday Dannielynn!" Larry

wrote

, adding a playful touch to the occasion.

A photo of Dannielynn standing at "Beetlejuice" movie entrance on her 18th birthday celebration posted on September 8, 2024 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

With spooky makeup, her blonde hair styled in loose waves, and bangs framing her face, Dannielynn fully embraced the quirky Beetlejuice theme. Among the eye-catching carousel of birthday moments, Dannielynn was seen posing by the ocean in her gothic glam look with a stunning sunset as her backdrop.

A photo of Dannielynn posing by the ocean in her gothic glam look with a stunning sunset as her backdrop posted on September 8, 2024 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

Another snapshot showed her striking a pose with a man dressed as Beetlejuice himself!

A photo of Dannielynn posing with a man dressed as Bettlejuice on her 18th birthday posted on September 8, 2024 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

Other photos captured her getting her makeup done, and beaming with joy at the "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" movie entrance.

A photo of Dannielynn getting her makeup done on her 18th birthday celebration posted on September 8, 2024 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

One clip even captured her waving to the camera with a Betelgeuse sign on the table. Of course, any celebration on social media brings out opinions, and Dannielynn's birthday post was no exception.

A photo of Dannielynn dressed to impress on her 18th birthday celebration posted on September 8, 2024 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

Critics were quick to chime in on her makeup and gothic outfit, with one commenter

remarking

, "She's goth… Anna Nicole would not approve of that." Another

added,

"Her mother is turning in her grave 😭." Others didn't mince words,

saying

, "Not a good look," and one even

called

for her dad to stop playing stylist, "Larry needs to stop dressing her."

A photo of Dannielynn dressed to impress on her 18th birthday celebration posted on September 8, 2024 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

But amid the noise, Dannielynn's fans quickly came to her defense. "Dad did right by he's daughter I knw Anna would be so proud she's so beautiful like her mom😊[sic]," one fan

wrote

, showering her with praise.

Another

commented

, "Such a lovely girl! Her mama would be proud!" Some fans couldn't help but point out how much Dannielynn resembles her iconic mother, with one

noting

, "Beautiful girl. Looks so much like her mother."

Another

added

, "She's gorgeous!! I hope she had a great birthday ❤️ she may be a legal adult now but she'll always be your baby!!" One fan even added a touching

note

, "I know Anna and Daniel were celebrating like crazy up there." Her upbringing didn't go unnoticed either, with one fan

writing

, "I'm still in awe of how she was raised so well. 🙌."

A fan comment dated September 10, 2024 | Source: Instagram/pagesix

In 2023, on Dannielynn's 17th birthday, her father, Larry, shared a heartfelt montage capturing her growth over the years. In his touching message, he expressed how proud he was of her in every way, wishing her the best day possible.

He

described

her as "funny, crazy smart, and pretty," noting that she was everything he had ever imagined. Larry also reflected on how proud her mother would have been.

He humorously mentioned that when Dannielynn asked if she could live in his basement forever, he agreed but admitted he didn't have the heart to tell her that Florida doesn't have basements.

It seems Dannielynn has followed in her late mother's footsteps, showing a passion for acting. Back in 2019, during an interview alongside her father, she shared her excitement about the craft,

mentioning

how "cool" it was to act as a character.

Anna Nicole Smith arrives at the 2004 World Music Awards at the Thomas and Mack Center on September 15, 2004, in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

She explained that portraying someone new was fun and gave her a sense of stepping into a different person's shoes. Dannielynn hasn't been shy about showcasing her artistic side. Recently, on August 27, she debuted a new hairstyle that left netizens talking about the transformation.

Her father shared the

eye-catching photos

of their time at an event that underscored Dannielynn's love for anime depicting the teen with

striking new hair.

Fan comment about Dannielynn Birkhead, posted on August 27, 2024 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

Cosplaying as three different characters from "Kamen Rider," Dannielynn got to meet a few of her favorite Japanese live-action actors at Power Morphicon in Pasadena.

Cosplayers at Power Morphicon, posted on August 27, 2024 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

Her first look as the character Hino Eiji featured edgy dark brown hair that had red and platinum blonde highlights. With this hair, Dannielynn rocked a colorful t-shirt, maroon pants, a dark blue poncho, wristbands, and a red, black, gold, and green plastic bird-style claw on her right hand.

Dannielynn Birkhead posing for a picture, posted on August 27, 2024 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

In her second look, Dannielynn transformed into Ankh. For this ensemble, the young lady changed her dark hair to a light orange color, with the locks fashioned into tight curls instead of the previous jagged haircut.

Dannielynn meeting one of her favorite Japanese live-action actors, posted on August 27, 2024 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

Dressing as Ankh, Dannielynn wore the same plastic bird claw from her first costume and paired it with a black shirt over a white one, red pants, and Doc Marten-inspired boots.

Dannielynn talking with a cosplay character, posted on August 27, 2024 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

According to her dad, the last look featured Dannielynn

dressed as

"Ankh possessing Eiji from the 'Kamen Rider OOO 10th: Core Medal of Resurrection' movie."

"Had an awesome time at this weekend's @officialpowermorphicon in Pasadena, California thanks to @tokuspirits! Dannielynn [...] was so excited to meet @maaaaaaaasahiro (Masahiro Inoue) that plays 'Decade' from 'Kamen Rider Decade' that she was overcome with joy,"

read

a part of Larry's caption.

Masahiro Inoue and Dannielynn Birkhead. | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

"She was also excited to meet @yuikoike_official (Gokai Pink) and @ozawa_ryota (Gokai Red) from 'Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger' @yasuhisa_furuhara0813 (Go-on Red) from 'Engine Sentai Go-Onger' was her other favorites! [...] This is the first stop and pre-celebration for Dannielynn's upcoming birthday celebration! The countdown begins now!"

continued

Larry in his message.

Ryota Ozawa and Dannielynn Birkhead. | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

After thanking other people and organizations that made it possible for him and his daughter to attend the event, Larry hinted that he and Dannielynn might be headed to Japan next, at the end of his caption.

People who saw the fun times the father-daughter duo had at Power Morphicon took to the comment section of Larry's post to express how beautiful Dannielynn looked with her different hair.

Dannielynn Birkhead and Masahiro Inoue. | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

They also compared her to her late mom. Additionally, someone said that the hairstyle made her look more like her dad, who they praised as a good father.

"What a special experience for her!! What fun! I have to say… she looks like you with the short and dark hair (I know it's just a wig) :-) But we all know she is her momma's 'mini me'!! Enjoy and safe travels to your next adventure! Thanks for sharing! You're a great daddy!"

expressed

a fan.

Dannielynn's recent cosplay experience isn't the first time the teenager has dressed up as her favorite characters from Japanese live-action shows.

Just last year, an Instagram post from Dannielynn's father revealed that she

went as Oni Sister

from "Avatoro Sentai Donbrothers" — another favorite show of hers — to go trick or treating on Halloween.

Dannielynn Birkhead trick or treating, posted on November 1, 2023 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynnbirkhead

Stepping in again as a doting father, Larry revealed that he had made his daughter's outfit from scratch based on a 3D model. He did so after finding out, in the nick of time, that stores were not selling the costume that Dannielynn wanted.

Larry Birkhead making Dannielynn Birkhead's Halloween costume, posted on November 1, 2023 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

"It is the first time I attempted that before, but I figure we are approaching the end of the trick-or-treating phase (or maybe not) so I told her I would try my best. Hours and hours later, I think we got a decent version of her favorite character, that she has reminded me numerous times is 'not a Power Ranger!'"

expressed

Larry on November 1, 2023.

In May of 2024, Dannielynn attended the Kentucky Derby with her dad in a dress that was inspired by one of the same characters she emulated at the recent anime convention. She wore a unique red dress with ruffled shoulder pads.

Dannielynn Birkhead posing with an action figure of the character her dress was inspired by, posted on May 4, 2024 | Source: Instagram/larryanddannielynn

"Dannielynn's dress was inspired by her favorite character Hino Eiji, Kamen Rider OOO TajaDor combo -she made me write that 😆 -because that character had the same shoulders as the design of the dress she found! 🤷‍♂️"

captioned

Larry alongside photos of him and Dannielynn.

Dannielynn and her father Larry's bond is strong. Now stepping into adulthood, Dannielynn continues to make her father proud, as he reflects on just how far she's come over the years.