If you’ve ever watched New Girl or Happy Endings, you know Damon Wayans Jr. has mastered the art of the frantic, high-energy funny man. But off-camera? The dude is basically a professional girl dad. Seriously. While the Wayans dynasty has been a Hollywood fixture for decades, Damon Jr. has been quietly raising a massive crew of his own.
He recently joked on the Sherri show that he has a "Biblical amount of children." He isn't lying. He has six.
But for some reason, the internet gets super confused about Damon Wayans Jr. daughters. People often mix them up with his sisters or think he only has the two kids he shares with his high school sweetheart. The reality is way more interesting—and a lot more crowded. It’s a blended family situation that actually seems to work, which, let’s be honest, is kind of a miracle in Hollywood.
The First Wave: Amara and Aniya Wayans
The two faces you’ve probably seen the most are Amara and Aniya. These are his eldest daughters with his ex-partner, Aja Metoyer. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because she was on Basketball Wives and has been in the headlines for... well, other high-profile co-parenting situations.
Amara Wayans (born November 13, 2002) is currently 23. She’s not just "the daughter of" anymore; she’s actively carving out a spot in the family business. She’s a model and an influencer, but more importantly, she’s been working as a stand-in on her dad’s sitcom, Poppa’s House. Damon Jr. has bragged about her being "off-book" and incredibly responsible in the writer's room. She isn't just riding coattails; she's putting in the hours.
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Then there’s Aniya Wayans (born September 30, 2004), who is 21. If you’re on TikTok, you’ve likely seen her. She’s the one who usually ropes her dad into those hilarious, slightly awkward dance challenges. She has a massive following and a personality that clearly screams "Wayans."
The Secretive Side: Berlyn and the Younger Kids
Here is where the math gets tricky for the casual fan. Damon Jr. married Samara Saraiva back in 2016. Since then, they’ve expanded the household significantly.
Berlyn Wayans is the one who officially made Damon Wayans Jr. a grandfather at the age of 40. Yeah, you read that right. He’s a "Zaddy" in the most literal sense. Berlyn welcomed a daughter named Itali in 2022. While Berlyn stays a bit more under the radar than her younger sisters, she’s a huge part of the family’s public appearances, like the premiere of Players in 2024.
Beyond Berlyn, there are three younger children with Samara. This includes:
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- Two more daughters (the youngest was born around 2020).
- One son (who is reportedly an aspiring basketball player).
Damon is famously private about the "littles." You won't find their faces plastered all over Instagram every day. He’s spoken about wanting them to have a semblance of a normal childhood before they decide if they want the spotlight.
Why the Wayans Family Dynamic is Different
Most celebrity families are a mess of public feuds and "tell-all" books. The Wayans? They just work together. It’s almost like a corporate conglomerate but with more fart jokes.
Damon Jr. has talked about the "hierarchy" his parents instilled in them. If an elder walks into a room, the younger person gives up their seat. Period. This old-school respect is likely why his daughters, despite being "nepo babies" by definition, seem grounded. Amara isn't just a guest star; she's a stand-in. That’s a grind-heavy job that most celebrity kids would scoff at.
The "Roast" Parenting Style
In a 2024 interview with People, Damon shared a glimpse into his life with Samara. Their idea of a perfect date night? Sitting in a dark room and roasting their kids until they’re crying laughing.
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Honestly, that’s probably the most "Wayans" thing imaginable. It builds thick skin. If you can survive a roast from the man who played Coach on New Girl, you can survive a Twitter comment section.
Navigating the Legacy
So, what’s the takeaway here? If you’re looking to keep up with Damon Wayans Jr. daughters, don't just look at the red carpets. Look at the credits. Look at the TikToks.
They are a mix of social media savvy and old-school work ethic. They are navigating a world where their last name is a golden ticket, but their dad is making sure they know how to drive the train.
If you want to stay in the loop with this family, the best move is to:
- Follow Amara and Aniya on TikTok for the most "behind-the-scenes" family content.
- Watch Poppa’s House to see how the multi-generational talent is actually playing out on screen.
- Keep an eye on Berlyn’s updates, as she represents the next, next generation of this comedy empire.
The Wayans family isn't going anywhere. They're just multiplying.