Trinity Rodman and Dennis Rodman WireImage; FilmMagic
Trinity Rodman has “made it clear” that dad Dennis Rodman is “not present” in her life — but she’s finally ready to share the truth about their relationship.
“He’s not a dad,” Trinity, 22, explained during her “Call Her Daddy” interview on Wednesday, December 18. “Maybe by blood, but nothing else.”
Dennis, 63, shares Trinity and son DJ, 23, with ex-wife Michelle Moyer. (He is also the father to 36-year-old daughter Alexis, whom he shares with ex-wife Annie Bakes.)
“This is my opportunity to, kind of, talk more — I don’t want to say negatively, but more realistic about it,” she explained. During the hour-long interview, the soccer star detailed the struggles growing up with the former NBA star as her dad and where they stand now.
“We tried to be that foundation and to be the good people around him. Because in reality, we never really asked for anything unless we really needed it,” Trinity said of her family. “We just want you. I think for him, he’s never understood the fact, because he’s never experienced it. … He’s never understood that people could actually just want to be around him and to just want to make him happy.”
Keep scrolling for the biggest revelations from Trinity’s “Call Her Daddy” interview:
Dennis’ Lifestyle
Dennis Rodman hosts the launch of ManTFUp at SALT7 Restaurant on August 12, 2021 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Johnny Louis/Getty Images
The athlete said her dad “partied all the time” during her childhood.
“We tried to live with him, but he’s having parties 24/7. He’s bringing random bitches in,” she said. “My mom didn’t want — she was strong enough to deal with it because even to this day, I still believe that my dad hasn’t loved anyone after my mom.”
Dennis married Moyer in 2003. Per Trinity, her dad’s “demons were too strong” and she filed for divorce in 2004, but the marriage wasn’t dissolved until 2012.
“I think my mom just saw the situation of, ‘We love each other. It’s not gonna work,’” Trinity said. “For my kids, I can’t have them seeing you treat me this way, embarrass me this way and have the party scene all the time.”
Trinity also spoke candidly about her dad’s substance abuse struggles. (Dennis has openly discussed his battle with alcohol abuse and has entered rehab on several occasions.)
“He’s an alcoholic,” she stated. “That’s something that I don’t want to say, but I’m just like, f— it. It’s just the truth.”
How Often She Saw Dennis
Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman with her father basketball legend Dennis Rodman after a game between North Carolina Courage and Washington Spirit at Audi Field on November 7, 2021 in Washington, DC. Tony Quinn/ISI Photos/Getty Images
Initially, Trinity said her father was “in our lives less” as she and DJ continued to grow up.
“We were seeing him once, two, three, four times a year,” she recalled. “Every time they were together, it was the same s—. It was my mom being valid and what the f— are you doing? Help us and help your children.”
As Trinity and DJ got older, they “understood the situation more” and saw Dennis “less” — even though they lived in the same city.
Fighting About Money
Olympian Trinity Rodman of Team United States poses on the Today Show Set on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France. Kristy Sparow/Getty Images
Trinity said that she’s not “embarrassed” about how she grew up but noted that it was “a struggle” because her family “didn’t have money” and they lived in the wealthy town of Newport. (Trinity revealed that they also lived in a car at one point.)
“Before the divorce happened, my dad was actually helping money wise. … He would actually give money to my mom and let us live life a little bit,” she recalled. “When the divorce happened, it was just like, ‘F— you guys.’ … We’re getting enough money to pay rent, barely.”
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At one point, Trinity said that Dennis claimed they wanted to “use him” for money. Meanwhile, he would not pay child support. (In 2012, Dennis was ordered to pay Moyer $500,000 in back child support.)
“That was all the fight was ever about, in front of us at least,” she continued. “It was just the money part and helping your children.”
Keeping His Good Image
Dennis Rodman during Maxim Magazine’s Hot 100 at Montmartre Lounge in Hollywood, California. Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage
Despite what was going on behind closed doors during her childhood, Trinity said she was still publicly supporting her father.
“That’s the crazy part is, we still were going to those events like we were just a happy little family. Getting dressed, getting styled, his [2011] Jersey Retirement, all those things that we attended,” she said. “It was just the weirdest thing because we did things for him and we’ve always done things for him. He wanted to have a good image of having his family by him.”
Elsewhere in the episode, Trinity referred to her father as “an extremely selfish human being” who loves the spotlight.
The 2021 Incident at Trinity’s Game — And Where They Stand Now
Trinity Rodman #22 of the United States dribbles during a game between Korea Repulbic and USWNT at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on June 1, 2024 in Commerce City, Colorado. Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF
While Trinity was playing as a rookie for the Washington Spirit, Dennis made a surprise appearance at one of her games. The incident resulted with Trinity sobbing after the game.
“I think it’s like halfway through the first half and I hear [his voice],” she recalled. “I’m like, oh my f—ing gosh, like, there’s no way this is happening right now. Mind you, I haven’t seen him in or talked to him months.”
Trinity finished the first half of the game and spent halftime in tears. However, she went back on the field and scored the game-winning goal. After the game came to an end, Trinity was just “mad” at the situation.
“I was like, ‘You took this happy moment for me.’ Like you f—ed with my head again,” she said, but she ended up falling into Dennis’ arms and crying. “I cried and I was super happy. I was like, let’s take the positive of it. He’s here.”
After that day, Trinity didn’t hear from Dennis until this year. Trinity said her dad has been “trying to call” over the past few weeks.
“I answer the phone now for my conscience. If something does happen, God forbid, I want to know that I did that. Or if he needed to hear my voice before anything happens,” she said. “That’s why I answer the phone, not for me.”
Dennis’ Relationship With DJ
Trinity Rodman attends the Ballon D’Or photocall at Theatre Du Chatelet In Paris on October 17, 2022 in Paris, France. Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images
Trinity explained that Dennis has a different relationship with her than he does with her brother — who is also a basketball player.
“He treats me the best. I’m, like, still his little princess and I can’t do any wrong. Growing up, he treated my brother like s— too,” she recalled, noting that DJ has “confidence” issues because of it.
