Anna Nicole Smith’s lookalike daughter stuns at Kentucky Derby: ‘She is her mom’s twin’

Anna Nicole Smith’s teenage daughter has made a stunning appearance at this year’s Kentucky Derby – and fans can’t get over how much she looks like her late mom.

On Saturday (May 4), Dannielynn Birkhead – the only child of Anna Nicole Smith and Larry Birkhead – attended the world-famous derby alongside her father.

As the prestigious event celebrated its 150th birthday, the beloved father-daughter duo were all smiles, as the 17-year-old Dannielynn wore a red dress inspired by the popular anime Kamen Rider (or Masked Rider for those of you who grew up with Fox Kids).

Taking to Instagram to share photos from the event, dad Larry wrote: “On the way to @kentuckyderby with Dannielynn after a great night at the Barnstable-Brown Gala and quick morning haircut or two.

The father and daughter looked amazing at the Kentucky Derby. Credit: Instagram / larryanddannielynn

“Dannielynn’s dress was inspired by her favorite character Hino Eiji, Kamen Rider OOO TaJaDor combo -s he made me write that – because that character had the same shoulders as the design of the dress she found!

“Hey whatever works, just trying to spend a little quality time as this weekend of traditions come to a close.”

Fans couldn’t get over how much Dannielynn looks like her mom. Credit: Instagram / larryanddannielynn

In the carousel of photos, the dad and daughter could be seen smiling away, as Dannielynn proudly showed off her Kamen Rider OOO action figure. Meanwhile, dad Larry wore a tie and pocket square that complimented his daughter’s beautiful dress.

As had become tradition, it wasn’t long before many fans of the family took to the comments section to proudly point out just how much Dannielynn resembled her late mom. Others were also quick to compliment Larry on his parenting skills.

One Instagram user wrote: “She looks so much like her Mamma, you did a great job raising her, Nicole would be very proud.”

“Shes gorgeous,” a second added. “Love to see u both smiling she is her moms twin [sic]”.

Anna Nicole Smith died in 2007. Credit: Ron Davis / Getty

A third commented: “Great pics! Dannielynn is a beautiful young lady and wow does she look just like her mama. I love her look. The red is beautiful on her. You’re a great father and so glad you’ve protected her.”

Sadly, the family lost mom Anna Nicole in February of 2007 following a drug overdose in the Bahamas.

Dannielynn was just five months old at the time.

What followed was a highly publicized paternity case, in which several men – including Birkhead, Smith’s attorney Howard K. Stern, and one of Smith’s former bodyguards – all claimed to be Dannielynn’s biological father.

Larry had to prove his was Dannielynn’s father. Credit: Gregory Pace / Getty

After DNA tests confirmed that Birkhead was Dannielynn’s dad, he took his daughter and raised her in Kentucky.

In 2022, Larry shared a black and white photo of the former couple to mark fifteen years since the model’s death.

“Still remembering this one 15 years after her death. She was truly one of a kind. She struggled for love and acceptance. Just when she found a little piece of one or the other, life seemed to sabotage,” ex-entertainment photographer Birkhead wrote in the caption.

“Today, I remember your heart, your soul and your beauty, both inside and out,” he added.

“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,” he added.

Larry first met Anna Nicole at the annual Barnstable Brown Gala, where he worked as a young photographer.

Speaking to PEOPLE about that fateful day, he said: “It’s great to be part of something that changed my life in so many ways.

“I think her mom would be proud,” Larry continued. “She might tell me I should have dressed her in more pink — but I think she’d be happy. That she is the young lady she turned out to be.”