Anna Nicole Smith's daughter Dannielynn's degree choice revealed
Anna Nicole Smith's 19-year-old daughter Dannielynn is studying forensic science at university to prepare herself for a career away from showbusiness.
Anna Nicole Smith's daughter Dannielynn is studying forensic science at university.
The 19-year-old student, whose famous mother died in 2007 after suffering an accidental drug overdose, has enrolled at college and revealed she's applying herself in an area of criminal investigation but she's also considering adding culinary arts to her degree to indulge her love of baking.
Dannielynn told PEOPLE: "I'm majoring in forensic science. I might double major, possibly, in something regarding culinary, because I love baking. I don't know."
The teenager has just finished her first semester at college and her dad Larry Birkhead revealed Dannielynn "got good grades".
He told the publication: "You know, it was a little bit of a struggle to get across the finish line ... but she got the steam at the end, and she pushed it across. She did a great job. So I'm proud of her in every way."
Dannielynn - who was just a baby when Anna Nicole Smith died - went on to admit she enjoys being compared to her late mom but she's determined to be her "own person" as she grows up.
She told PEOPLE: "She's super pretty, and I like being compared to her in the sense of like: 'Oh, I'm pretty too.' But I also like being known as my own person.
"Because it's always like, ‘Anna Nicole Smith's daughter,' and never just Dannielynn. So I'm hoping my look right now will kind of help with that in a way."
Photographer Larry previously revealed he was encouraging his daughter to prioritise her education before deciding whether she wants to follow her famous mother into the entertainment industry.
He told E! News: "I’m hesitant [about Dannielynn going into show business] . I’ll support her if she chooses it, but it’s not my first choice. Then again, it’s not my life. People are quick to judge. They’ll say, 'Oh, here she goes—following in her mom’s footsteps.' And because her mom passed away, people attach a negative connotation to it.
"As a dad, my job is to say: 'Here’s what you might face. I worked as a reporter and photographer. I’ve seen the industry from the other side. I know what Anna went through.
"I just throw all that into a pot and say, 'Are you sure this is what you want to do?' I want her to make an informed decision."
Larry went on to add: "I always tell her: have an academic foundation as your main focus. Do modeling or acting on the side, and if it takes off, then reassess. I had a lot of educators in my family - principals, teachers - so I’m trying to pass that along."
