Ice-T Jokes About Father’s Day Tradition: 'They Take Me Out, And I Pay'

Ice-T may be a legendary rapper and longtime "Law & Order: SVU" star, but when it comes to his family, he’s just “Dad.”

The Blast caught up with the entertainer during a special National Iced Tea Day event at Raising Cane’s, where he opened up about life at home, his daughter Chanel Nicole, and what Father’s Day really means to him.

The birth of Chanel in 2015 marked a new chapter for Ice-T and his wife, Coco Austin, deepening their bond and reshaping the star’s perspective on parenting.

Now a father of three, Ice-T still finds the greatest joy in the little things, especially when it comes to being appreciated.

“Father’s Day? That’s when they take me out to dinner, and I still end up paying,” he joked. “But for real, I’m just proud to have kids who love me. That’s the biggest gift. You don’t need to do anything big. Just show us that we’re appreciated. That’s what being a father is about.”

That blend of humor and heart is classic Ice-T, and it shines brightest when he talks about Chanel, who’s quickly developing into a little star in her own right. Whether she’s singing, dancing, or lighting up the runway, the 8-year-old is already showing off a flair for performance.

“My daughter wants to meet a lot of people, but I don’t have any ‘ins’ in her world,” he said with a laugh. “We took her to see Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, and Billie Eilish."

While he admitted to not realizing how big a star Sabrina is today, he recalled her appearance on "Law & Order" as a child. "She was a great actress," he said of the now 26-year-old singer, who appeared in Season 12, Episode 12 of "SVU."

When it comes to celebrity kids, Chanel Nicole Marrow is already making waves at just eight years old.

From her expressive poses to her strong online presence, fans can’t help but notice how much Chanel resembles her famous father.

However, according to Ice-T, that resemblance may not be as one-sided as the internet often claims. In a 2023 interview with "Today," the "Law & Order: SVU" star addressed the constant comparisons, revealing that even his daughter is starting to take notice.

“It’s cool. I think she kind of gets irritated with people telling her she looks like her dad instead of her mom,” he shared. “But if you look at any old pictures of Coco, there’s similarities there.”

Coco agrees that Chanel is a perfect blend of both parents, although she has inherited some signature traits.

“She’s very loveable, she’s very sweet,” Coco told PEOPLE back in 2017. “I think she’s got the attitude from dad, and she’s got my lovable personality. I’d say she’s a mix.”

The model has also playfully pointed out that their daughter has mastered Ice-T’s iconic “side eye.”

The couple frequently shares glimpses of Chanel’s life on social media, from everyday moments to big celebrations, and it’s all done with their daughter’s full approval.

“It’s fun and she likes doing it,” Ice-T told PEOPLE in 2023. “If she didn’t, we definitely wouldn’t do it.”

In fact, the couple created Chanel’s own Instagram account shortly after she was born. Their reasoning was simple. They knew they’d want to post hundreds of photos, but didn’t want to flood their personal pages.

“We’re not afraid of anything happening. People will say, ‘don’t show her face.’ We’re not concerned with that,” Ice-T explained. “We just feel like we're sharing something that makes us happy.”

Still, Ice-T emphasized that his daughter’s enjoyment is the top priority when it comes to her online presence.

“We would stop it immediately if she no longer enjoyed it,” he added. “We watch everything and post everything.”

For Ice-T and Coco, parenthood is a team effort, one that comes with plenty of pride, joy, and just the right amount of sass from their mini-me.

And whether Chanel grows up to follow in her parents’ footsteps or carves out a path all her own, it is clear that she’s already got the world watching.