Wayne Brady Is ‘Proud’ of How Daughter Maile, 17, Handles ‘Uncomfortable Conversations’ on Racism
As a father of a biracial daughter, Wayne Brady couldn’t be more “proud” of the way his only child, Maile Masako Brady, is handling topics on racism. The Whose Line Is It Anyway? star opened up about educating his 17-year-old daughter on racial injustice amid the Black Lives Matter protests following George Floyd’s death.
“She’s already started her own journey of learning about the complexity of race,” Wayne, 48, shared during a virtual appearance on The Talk on Tuesday, June 23. “The uncomfortable conversations, the things that she has to deal with on her own … and I’m proud of her because she knows herself better racially at 17 than I did at 17.”
In fact, the Let’s Make a Deal host — who shares Maile with ex-wife Mandie Taketa — praised his little girl for wanting to inspire change. “This young lady, especially coming from a biracial household and background, she’s an activist,” he gushed. “She’s going to be one of the heads of her Black student union at her school.”
Wayne told CBS cohosts Sharon Osbourne, Marie Osmond, Sheryl Underwood, Carrie Ann Inaba and Eve that Maile “got her own taste” of racial inequality while trying out for a school play earlier this year. The doting dad explained he had to have a “whole discussion” with the “head of the school” about “colorblind casting” after a Black role in the musical was “glossed over.”
Earlier this month, Wayne also got candid about his life as a dad of one and revealed the recent incident in which Maile accidentally set the alarm off in their home in Malibu, California. While chatting with Access Hollywood, the iconic comedian explained why he “freaked out” throughout the frightening ordeal.
“I was giving her the code and for whatever reason, she put it in wrong and it wouldn’t accept … and then the alarm company [said], ‘We are sending armed response right now,’” he recalled. “I was so worried that my daughter could not explain in the heat of the moment, ‘Yes, it’s my house.’ I told her, ‘Get out of the house and run around the corner and down the street and go to your mom’s house!'”
Following the incident, the How I Met Your Mother actor and ex-wife Mandie — who were married from 1999 to 2008 — sat down with Maile to have a crucial discussion about racism.
“Now fast forward, she’s 17. She’s a little activist and she knows her history,” he stated. “It’s a conversation I’m glad I had because every young Black person that we send out in the world, including her boyfriend — I worry about her boyfriend when he drives — we need to arm [them] with knowledge because it’s just necessary.”
For more information, visit Blacklivesmatter.com.
