Anna Nicole Smith's daughter unveils new look at Kentucky Derby gala
Dannielynn Birkhead, the daughter of Anna Nicole Smith, arrived at the 2026 Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala in an outfit of her own design, inspired by a vampire look — a marked departure from what she has worn to the party in the past.
For a long time at the party, the 19-year-old would wear dresses that had been picked out by her mother and were kind of “girly and frilly,” said her dad, Larry Birkhead, who walked the red carpet with her May 1, “and now she’s grown into her own and choosing her own look.”
“It’s like she is Pat Benatar and Joan Jett all rolled into one,” he said.
Her outfit on Friday, May 1, included a new bob with black highlights.
When asked why people were still interested in his love story with Smith all these years later, Larry said it’s because people like a feel good story and like to see what Dannielynn is up to each year “as something good that came out of a tragedy.”
What did Dannielynn Birkhead wear last year?
In 2025, Dannielynn made headlines when she sported her late mom's dress to the Louisville gala, the same event where her parents met more than two decades ago.
In 2004, Nicole Smith wore the same floor-length black dress with crystal-adorned front and back straps at the 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,'" Larry Birkhead wrote on Instagram.
Since its inception in 1989, the Barnstable Brown Gala has donated millions for diabetes treatment and research. Local philanthropist Patricia Barnstable-Brown and her son Chris Barnstable-Brown host the event at their private mansion in Louisville, Kentucky, on the eve of each Derby race.
Dannielynn Birkhead has attended the race with her father since she was three years old. Larry Birkhead previously revealed that the tradition was born after a babysitter cancelled on him.
Contributing: Jay Stahl, USA TODAY
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.