When Christopher “Big Black” Boykin passed away in 2017, his 9-year-old daughter became the keeper of a legacy that touched millions. Today, at 17, Isis Rae Boykin continues to honor her father’s memory while building her own identity—away from cameras, grounded in art, and shaped by extraordinary resilience.
Isis Rae Boykin, born in February 2008, is the only daughter of the late MTV star Christopher “Big Black” Boykin. Now 17, she maintains privacy while pursuing artistic interests and education. Her father’s $3 million estate and college fund provide financial security as she transitions into adulthood.
Who Was Christopher “Big Black” Boykin?
Christopher Boykin starred alongside professional skateboarder Rob Dyrdek on MTV’s Rob & Big from 2006 to 2008. The show captured their friendship and daily adventures, from breaking Guinness World Records to adopting a miniature horse.
Before television fame, Boykin served in the United States Navy and later worked as Dyrdek’s bodyguard. His 6’6″ frame earned him the nickname “Big Black,” but fans remembered him for the warmth that contradicted his imposing stature.
The show became MTV’s second most-downloaded series on iTunes behind “The Hills.” Boykin set two Guinness World Records during the 2008 season—peeling and eating three bananas in one minute, and consuming five powdered doughnuts in under three minutes.
The Heartbreak That Changed Everything
On May 9, 2017, Christopher Boykin died at age 45 from heart failure after being hospitalized in Plano, Texas. His heart stopped despite close medical monitoring.
Isis was just 9 years old.
According to TMZ, Boykin knew his family history of heart problems and set up a college fund for Isis, rarely splurging on himself to ensure her financial comfort. Friends told the outlet he focused entirely on being a great father.
Although Christopher and Shannon Turley divorced in 2009, he had been living with them due to his failing health, and doctors warned he would soon need a heart transplant.
Rob Dyrdek posted an emotional tribute: “My heart is broken. I don’t want to write this post. I don’t want to believe that this is reality. I am so thankful for you. We truly were brothers that lived an unexpected, unforgettable adventure”.
Growing Up in the Shadow—and Light—of Fame
Born in February 2008 during her father’s MTV peak, Isis entered a world already watching. Christopher frequently shared moments with his daughter on social media, celebrating milestones from Montessori graduation to birthday parties.
In 2015, Christopher proudly shared photos of Isis graduating from Montessori school on Instagram. His posts revealed a devoted father who prioritized quality time despite celebrity demands.
After his death, Shannon Boykin made a decisive choice: protect Isis from the spotlight that took so much from their family.
Art as Healing, Creativity as Voice
Art and creativity became important outlets for Isis as she worked through grief, giving her a way to express feelings that were hard to put into words.
Her artistic interests weren’t new—Christopher had shared her drawings and paintings on social media, beaming with parental pride. But after May 2017, art transformed from a hobby to a healing mechanism.
Family friends describe her paintings and drawings as emotionally expressive. She hasn’t pursued public exhibitions or art school announcements, keeping this deeply personal outlet private.
As of 2025, Isis is likely completing her high school education. Her mother has kept school details confidential, shielding her daughter from unwanted attention during formative years.
The Choice to Stay Private
Unlike many celebrity children who build social media followings or leverage famous last names, Isis Rae Boykin chose differently.
She maintains no verified social media presence. No Instagram documenting her life. No TikTok capitalizing on her father’s catchphrase “Do Work.” No public appearances at MTV reunions or memorial events.
This decision likely stems from Shannon Boykin’s protective instincts and Christopher’s own desire to balance his public persona with his role as a father.
The privacy has worked. While fans periodically search for updates, Isis has successfully maintained boundaries that allow normal teenage experiences—friendships, school stress, first relationships, college applications—without commentary from strangers.
What About Rob Dyrdek?
After Christopher’s death, Rob Dyrdek shared a heartfelt tribute in 2017, speaking about their deep friendship. While there is no public record of Rob staying in touch with Isis Rae, he has always shown respect and love for her family.
Any private support Dyrdek may have offered remains exactly that—private. He’s spoken publicly about how much Christopher meant to him, but has respected the Boykin family’s desire for privacy regarding Isis.
Financial Security Through Foresight
Christopher Boykin had an estimated net worth of approximately $3 million at his death. More importantly, he planned for Isis’s future.
The college fund he established before his death ensures educational opportunities without financial stress. Friends noted Christopher’s frugality wasn’t about lacking resources—it was about prioritizing his daughter’s future over personal luxury.
Isis herself has no independent net worth. At 17, she’s a student focused on education and personal development, not career building.
The Weight and Gift of Legacy
Christopher Boykin’s death sparked conversations about heart health in the Black community. According to research, about 1 in 100 Black men and women develop heart failure before age 50—a strikingly higher rate than white people, often preceded by treatable risk factors like high blood pressure and obesity.
For Isis, this legacy carries dual meaning: the father who entertained millions, and the health crisis that took him too soon.
She carries forward his values—loyalty, humor, kindness—without the pressure to perform them publicly. Christopher’s “Do Work” catchphrase represented his hustle and dedication. Isis applies that same dedication to her art and education, just more quietly.
Looking Forward: A Future on Her Terms
At 17, Isis Rae Boykin stands at a crossroads. High school graduation approaches. College decisions loom. The world remains curious about Christopher Boykin’s daughter.
But here’s what makes her story compelling: she’s writing it herself.
She could leverage her father’s fame. Launch a memorial foundation. Build a social media following discussing grief and resilience. Partner with heart health organizations. Any of these would honor Christopher’s memory while building her own platform.
Instead, she’s chosen the harder path—living authentically without the amplification of fame. She’s chosen art over interviews. Education over exploitation. Privacy over publicity.
Isis Rae Boykin’s life story is a tapestry of creativity, resilience, and personal growth. Whether her future includes public advocacy, artistic pursuits, or something entirely unexpected remains unknown.
And that’s exactly how it should be.
What We Can Learn From Isis Rae’s Journey
Her story offers lessons beyond celebrity offspring narratives:
- Grief doesn’t follow timelines. Losing a parent at 9 creates ripple effects that extend into adulthood. Isis found her outlet in art, but the work of processing loss continues.
- Privacy is a valid choice. In an age of oversharing, choosing not to broadcast your life takes courage. Isis and Shannon Boykin demonstrate that boundaries serve mental health, not just public relations.
- Legacy is more than fame. Christopher Boykin’s greatest legacy isn’t Rob & Big episodes—it’s the daughter he raised with love and prepared for his absence.
- Resilience looks different for everyone. There’s no “right way” to handle loss in the public eye. Isis chose quiet strength over public grieving, and both are valid.
The Respect She Deserves
Isis Rae Boykin didn’t choose celebrity status. She didn’t ask for public curiosity about her life. She simply had the misfortune of losing her father too soon and the fortune of having a mother who prioritizes her well-being over public appetite.
As she transitions into adulthood, the most respectful thing fans of Christopher Boykin can do is this: remember him fondly, honor his legacy through kindness, and let his daughter live her life on her own terms.
Whether she eventually steps into public life or continues choosing privacy, Isis Rae Boykin has already demonstrated the quiet strength her father was known for—just in her own way, on her own timeline.