Vin Diesel appeared emotional as he mentioned Paul Walker's daughter Meadow Walker during a recent speech at the Cannes Film Festival.
'Represent That Brotherhood': Vin Diesel Mentions Paul Walker's Daughter Meadow During Emotional Cannes Speech
Dominic Toretto had strongly established that family means everything to him in the Fast & Furious franchise. This time, Vin Diesel, the actor behind the titular character, proved it right, in real-life.
During the 25th-anniversary midnight screening of the franchise's first installment -- The Fast and the Furious -- at the Cannes Film Festival, Diesel gave a special nod to his late co-star Paul Walker’s daughter, Meadow Walker.
After previously walking Meadow down the aisle, Diesel once again showed his bond with Meadow, who is currently aged 27.
'I'm Going to Go and Shed a Tear Real Quick'
Vin Diesel pays tribute to Paul Walker at the Cannes Film Festival.
Before the screening of 2001 film, which reunited the cast of the Fast & Furious franchise, Diesel appeared emotional while delivering his opening speech.
Addressing the audience, the actor paid tribute to Paul and his daughter Meadow.
“This is a film where brotherhood is introduced by myself and my brother Pablo. And the person that was not going to let me come alone here, they represent that brotherhood, was Meadow Walker. I'm going to go and shed a tear real quick,” Diesel said.
He then spoke about the future of the blockbuster franchise and the final installment of the series.
Speaking of Fast Forever, which is planned for release in 2028, the actor said, “The only reason why we’re making the finale for Fast for 2028… It’s because of each and every one of you that has given us your hearts and your loyalty.”
He added, “Each and every one of you that has felt like you are a part of our family.”
Diesel stated, “You make us have to continue. You make us want to make you all proud.”
Just prior to the screening, the actor added that the film marked “the beginning of one word… and that word is love.”
What Is Meadow Walker Doing Now?
While Diesel got emotional at Cannes while remembering Paul, the late actor's legacy continues through his daughter Meadow.
She is known for modeling and charity work, and has maintained close bonds with the actors of the Fast & Furious franchise.
Born in 1998 to Paul and his then-girlfriend Rebecca Soteros, Meadow continues to honor his father's legacy since his tragic death in a car crash in November 2013.
The actor was riding in a Porsche Carrera GT driven by his friend Roger Rodas during the fatal accident.
Following his death, Meadow filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Porsche, claiming that the car "lacked safety features… that could have prevented the accident or, at a minimum, allowed Paul Walker to survive the crash.”
She later reached a settlement with Porsche in 2017 and also received a $10.1 million settlement from Rodas’ estate, which was paid to a trust.
That same year, she launched The Paul Walker Foundation, “dedicated to spontaneous acts of goodwill that empower young people and support the environment they live in.”
The 27-year-old ventured into a modeling career in 2017.
Since then, she has walked for major fashion brands including Proenza Schouler and Alexander McQueen.
She has also worked as the face of Givenchy Beauty.
As of 2026, Meadow remains close to her father’s Fast & Furious family and shares a special bond with Diesel, her godfather.
The actor also walked her down the aisle in 2021, when she married Louis Thornton-Allan in a beachside ceremony in the Dominican Republic.
Unfortunately, the couple separated in December 2023, the very year Meadow appeared in Fast X.