The Next Generation: 7 Kyla Wayans Cousins Who Are Dominating Hollywood In 2025

The Wayans family legacy is one of the most powerful and enduring in Hollywood, a dynasty built on groundbreaking comedy, writing, and acting that spans over four decades. As of December 12, 2025, the focus is increasingly shifting to the third generation of talent, and at the heart of this new wave is Kyla Wayans and her accomplished cousins.

Kyla Wayans, the daughter of comedy legend Damon Wayans, is part of a massive, tight-knit clan where talent is not just inherited but expected. While Kyla herself has appeared on her father’s shows, it is the careers and recent milestones of her first cousins—the children of her uncles and aunts—that are making the freshest headlines and proving the family’s comedic dominance is far from over.

Kyla Wayans: A Look at the Family's Biography and Lineage

Kyla Wayans is a member of the second generation of the legendary Wayans show-business family. Her life is closely connected to some of the most influential figures in modern comedy.

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• Full Name: Kyla Wayans
• Date of Birth: 1991 (Age 34 as of late 2025)
• Parents: Damon Wayans Sr. (Father) and Lisa Thorner (Mother)
• Paternal Grandparents: Howell Wayans and Elvira Wayans
• Siblings: Damon Wayans Jr., Michael Wayans, and Cara Mia Wayans.
• Aunts & Uncles (Paternal): Keenen Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Kim Wayans, Dwayne Wayans, Elvira Wayans, Vonnie Wayans, and Nadia Wayans.
• Notable Work: She is known for her appearance in the sitcom *My Wife and Kids*, a series created by and starring her father, Damon Wayans.
• Current Status: Kyla maintains a relatively private life compared to some of her more public family members, focusing on her own creative pursuits and family.

The Most Prominent Cousins Making Headlines in 2025

Kyla Wayans' cousins are the children of her father's nine siblings. This creates a massive pool of talent, but a few names have broken through to achieve significant success and are currently driving the family's presence in the entertainment industry.

1. Chaunté Wayans: The Stand-Up Star with a 2024 Special

Chaunté Wayans, the daughter of an unnamed Wayans sibling, has firmly established herself as a powerhouse in stand-up comedy and acting, proudly carrying the family torch.

Her work is arguably the freshest on the scene. In 2024, Chaunté released her widely acclaimed comedy special, *Chaunte Wayans: Respectfully*.

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This special cemented her status as a leading voice in the new generation of comedians. Her tour dates, which are currently scheduled through late 2025, demonstrate her dedication to the craft and her growing popularity across the country.

Chaunté is also known for her appearances in family projects like *Dance Flick* and *Scary Movie 2*, as well as her time on the improv show *Wild 'N Out*.

2. Kai Wayans (Formerly Amai Wayans): Marlon Wayans' Eldest Child

One of the most significant and recent news stories involving Kyla's cousins centers on Marlon Wayans’ eldest child, Kai Wayans.

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Kai, who was born Amai Wayans, is Kyla's first cousin, and their father, Marlon Wayans, made headlines in 2024 when he openly discussed Kai's gender transition.

Marlon spoke about the process of "transitioning as a parent" and his determined effort to learn more to support his son, Kai, fully.

This public display of unconditional love and support from a high-profile figure like Marlon has been widely praised and marks a very current and important moment for the Wayans family. Kai, who is in their early twenties, remains a private figure, but their story is a powerful testament to the family's evolving dynamics.

3. Shawn Howell Wayans: The Legacy of a Name

Shawn Howell Wayans is Kai’s younger sibling and the second child of Marlon Wayans.

His name is a tribute to his uncle, Shawn Wayans, and his grandfather, Howell Wayans, connecting him directly to the family's roots.

Like his sibling, Shawn Howell has largely maintained a life out of the public eye, though he has appeared alongside his father and family at various events. He is currently in his early twenties, and the entertainment world is watching to see if he will follow the family tradition into comedy or acting.

4. Damien Dante Wayans: The Director and Writer

Damien Dante Wayans is the son of Keenen Ivory Wayans, making him one of Kyla’s most active cousins in the production side of the industry.

Damien is a multi-talented actor, screenwriter, producer, and director who has been active in Hollywood since the late 1980s.

His work includes writing and directing episodes of his uncle Damon Wayans' sitcom *My Wife and Kids* and the film *Dance Flick*.

While details on his most specific 2025 projects are limited, his ongoing work is part of the family’s continued legacy. Furthermore, the major announcement in late 2024 that the Wayans brothers are writing *Scary Movie 6*, with production set to begin in 2025, suggests Damien is likely to be involved in this massive family undertaking, given his history with the franchise.

The Wayans Family's Next Generation: More Cousins to Watch

The sheer size of the Wayans family means Kyla has many more first cousins who are either working in the industry, pursuing other careers, or are still young. These individuals are the children of her uncles Keenen Ivory Wayans and Shawn Wayans, and her aunt Kim Wayans.

The Children of Keenen Ivory Wayans

Keenen Ivory Wayans, the creator of the groundbreaking sketch comedy series *In Living Color*, has five children with his ex-wife, Daphne Wayans. These five are all Kyla’s first cousins:

• Jolie Ivory Imani Wayans: A creative talent who has been featured in family documentaries and projects.
• Nala Yasmeen Ivory Wayans: Often maintains a private profile but is part of the family’s large creative network.
• Keenen Ivory Wayans Jr.: Carrying on his father's iconic name, Keenen Jr. is another member of the next generation to watch for future projects.
• Bella Ivory Aziza Wayans: The younger generation of the family, growing up with the massive Wayans legacy.
• Daphne Ivory Wayans: Named after her mother, she completes Keenen’s group of children.

The Family’s Enduring Legacy: A 2024/2025 Milestone

The entire Wayans family, including Kyla's father, Damon Wayans, and her uncles Keenen Ivory, Marlon, and Shawn, received one of the highest honors in entertainment in 2024.

The family was inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame, a recognition of their profound, decades-long impact on comedy, film, and television.

This induction, which was celebrated in early 2024, serves as a powerful reminder of the foundation of success that Kyla and her cousins are building upon. It ensures that the Wayans name remains at the forefront of current entertainment news and provides a massive platform for the next generation to launch their own careers.

From Chaunté Wayans’ successful touring schedule and new special to the sensitive and important family news shared by Marlon Wayans about Kai, Kyla Wayans' cousins are proving that the Wayans dynasty is not just a relic of the past, but a vibrant, evolving force in Hollywood today. The future of comedy and film is clearly in the hands of this talented new generation.