Anna Nicole Smith's daughter Dannielynn, 19, debuts dramatic hair transformation: 'She chopped it all off '


Dannielynn Birkhead and her dad, Larry Birkhead, attended the 2026 Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Eve Gala, and she had a very different look


photo of dannielynn birkhead in black dress throwing peace sign© Getty Images
Jenni McKnight
Jenni McKnightUS Lifestyle Editor
6 hours ago
Share this:

Anna Nicole Smith's daughter, Dannielynn Birkhead, showed off a dramatic new look on Friday after her dad, Larry Birkhead, revealed she is "coming into her own."

The 19-year-old debuted a striking hair transformation during her annual outing to the Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Gala, which is held on the eve of the Kentucky Derby.

Sharing photos of his daughter's new look on their joint Instagram account, Larry revealed that Dannielynn was sporting "a fresh cut and 'goth-rock' style."

The teenager has ditched her shoulder-length blonde hair in favor of a layered pixie cut, which has been dyed an icy platinum hue with jet black tips.

Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: Larry Birkhead discusses daughter with Anna Nicole Smith

For the event, Dannielynn usually opts for bright colors, but she chose to wear Punk Rave's Gothic Dress in black, featuring a strapless, embroidered, corseted bodice with a draped, sheer, floor-length skirt that boasted an embroidered hem.

Discussing Dannielynn's hair makeover, Larry said that "she wanted something edgy and cool."

photo of dannielynn birkhead with platinum pixie cut with black tips© Instagram
Dannielynn now has a platinum pixie cut with black tips

"She chopped it all off and put some wild colors in it," he told People. "I was kind of bracing myself at the hair salon. I guess she's at the age to do what she wants to do."

While he admitted he was "a little worried about" the drastic change at first, he said Dannielynn is "obviously old enough" to decide for herself.

photo of dannielynn and larry birkhead in black outfits barnstable brown kentucky derby eve gala© Instagram
Dannielynn went for a 'goth-rock' style

"This year is a different style for Dannielynn," he continued. "People [are] always looking for her to wear something of her mom. And she's done that a couple times, but this is kind of Dannielynn showing off her own sense of style, and she said it's a goth rock theme.

"So we've got this total style change up for her. And this is kind of, I think her coming into her own, doing her own thing and kind of exuding her own style and, and her choices that she made."

photo of dannielynn and larry birkhead in black barnstable brown kentucky derby eve gala© Getty Images
Dannielynn wore Punk Rave's Gothic Dress in black

The Kentucky Derby holds a special meaning for both Dannielynn and Larry, who have attended the event every year since Dannielynn was just three years old.

Larry met Anna Nicole at the Barnstable-Brown Gala in 2003 when he was a photographer sent to cover the annual event, which benefits the Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center at the University of Kentucky.

Larry previously revealed that he takes his daughter every year to both honor the past and create new memories.

Dannielynn Birkhead and Larry Birkhead attend Kentucky Derby 151 at Churchill Downs on May 03, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky© Getty Images
Dannielynn sported a very different look at the gala in 2025

Talking to Fox News Digital about the annual affair, he explained: "It's kind of been a tradition that we would go every year.

"Since I did meet her mom there, it started off just kind of me taking her back and showing her around and kind of letting her know the stories that, you know, this is kind of where I met your mom and things."

Larry added: "And then it came to kind of people look for my daughter there because I really don't let her do any public events. And so, in all honesty, the Kentucky Derby is kind of the growth chart for Dannielynn."

More US
See more