Isis Rae Boykin is best known as the daughter of the late entertainer Christopher “Big Black” Boykin, who rose to fame on MTV’s hit reality series Rob & Big. Born on February 15, 2008, Isis is the only child of Christopher Boykin and his former wife, Shannon Turley. Though she made her television debut as an infant, Isis has largely lived a private life, shaped by her father’s cultural legacy and the love of her family. Her story is one of a young girl who lost her famous father far too soon yet continues to carry his memory forward away from the public eye.
Isis Rae Boykin Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Isis Rae Boykin |
| Date of Birth | February 15, 2008 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 18 years old |
| Parents | Christopher “Big Black” Boykin and Shannon Turley |
| Siblings | None (only child) |
| Famous For | Being the daughter of MTV’s Rob & Big star |
| TV Debut | Appeared as an infant on an episode of Rob & Big |
| Father’s Death | May 9, 2017, from a heart attack at age 45 |
| Current Status | Living a private life away from media spotlight |
Who Is Isis Rae Boykin?
Isis Rae Boykin is the only daughter of Christopher “Big Black” Boykin, the beloved MTV reality star.
She was born into the spotlight on February 15, 2008, just months after her parents married in January of that same year. From infancy, Isis was connected to the entertainment world due to her father’s rising fame on MTV.While her father became a cultural icon through his humor and larger-than-life personality on Rob & Big, Isis has remained mostly out of the public eye, with attention focused more on her father’s impact on reality television and pop culture. Today, she is known not for her own achievements but as the cherished daughter of a man who left an indelible mark on MTV history.
Isis Rae Boykin’s Family Background and Parents

Isis Rae Boykin comes from a family rooted in reality television fame.
Her parents, Christopher Boykin and Shannon Turley, married in January 2008, welcoming Isis the following month. The couple divorced in 2009, just one year after Isis was born.
Despite their separation, both parents remained deeply involved in Isis’s life, with her father frequently sharing proud posts about his daughter on social media. In his final years, Christopher even moved to Texas to live with Shannon and Isis as his health declined, showing their continued commitment to co-parenting. This blended family dynamic, though unconventional, provided Isis with a strong foundation of love and support from both parents.
Christopher Big Black Boykin – The MTV Reality Star and Devoted Father
Christopher “Big Black” Boykin was a cultural icon who rose to fame as the best friend and bodyguard of professional skateboarder Rob Dyrdek on MTV’s Rob & Big.
The show ran for three seasons from 2006 to 2008 and made Boykin a household name known for his humor, charisma, and unforgettable catchphrases. Above all, Boykin always maintained that his proudest accomplishment in life was his daughter Isis, whom he welcomed in February 2008.
His social media was filled with proud posts celebrating Isis’s milestones, from birthday celebrations to preschool graduation, giving fans a rare glimpse into his life as a devoted father. Beyond television, Boykin was a loving and involved parent who made smart investments to secure his daughter’s future. Before his fame, he served in the U.S. Navy and later started a fashion line called Big Black (Do Work).He was a man who transformed from a Navy serviceman to a reality TV star, but his greatest role was always that of Isis’s father.
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Shannon Turley – Isis’s Mother and Her Role After Tragedy
Shannon Turley is Isis’s mother and the former wife of Christopher Boykin.
She married Christopher in January 2008 and gave birth to Isis the following month. After their divorce in 2009, Shannon continued to co-parent Isis with Christopher, and in his final years, she cared for him in Texas as his heart health declined.Following Christopher’s sudden death in 2017, Shannon took to Twitter to express her grief, writing: “He’s everything to me and Isis and we will miss him”. She has played a central role in raising Isis after Christopher’s passing, choosing to keep her daughter out of the public spotlight. Shannon’s dedication to protecting Isis’s privacy has allowed the young girl to grow up away from media scrutiny, despite the immense public interest in her father’s legacy.
Isis Rae Boykin’s Early Life and Television Appearance
Isis Rae Boykin made her television debut as an infant on an episode of MTV’s Rob & Big.
The episode aired on April 15, 2008, just two months after her birth, introducing the world to Big Black’s newborn daughter. At the time, the show followed the daily life and friendship of professional skateboarder Rob Dyrdek and Big Black.
As Isis grew older, her father frequently shared her milestones on social media, including birthday celebrations and preschool graduation, which gave fans a glimpse into their close bond. Despite this early media exposure, Isis has remained mostly out of the public eye throughout her childhood. Her parents made a conscious effort to shield her from the intense scrutiny that often comes with being a celebrity child, allowing her to experience a relatively normal upbringing.
The Tragic Death of Christopher “Big Black” Boykin
Christopher “Big Black” Boykin tragically passed away from a heart attack on May 9, 2017, at the age of 45.
He died at a hospital in Plano, Texas, where he had been hospitalized for days due to heart issues. Prior to his death, Boykin had a defibrillator implanted in his chest to manage his heart condition.
At the time of his passing, Isis was just nine years old. The news of his death sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, with MTV releasing a statement expressing deep sadness. His “Rob & Big” co-star Rob Dyrdek mourned his friend, tweeting: “My heart is broken… You will forever be in my heart”.
In the wake of his death, it was revealed that Boykin had made smart investments to secure his daughter’s future, setting up a fund expected to cover her education. His legacy lives on not only through his television work but through the daughter he loved so dearly.
Isis Rae Boykin’s Life Today – Where Is She Now?
Isis Rae Boykin has been raised primarily out of the public spotlight following her father’s death.
Her mother, Shannon Turley, has chosen privacy for her daughter, allowing her to grow up away from media scrutiny. As of 2026, Isis is 18 years old and there has been no indication that she plans to pursue a public career in entertainment.
Fans of Rob & Big continue to express interest in Big Black’s legacy, but Isis and her family have respectfully kept her life private. She remains the cherished only child of a man who was a reality TV icon, and her story is one of quiet resilience. While the world may remember Christopher “Big Black” Boykin for his larger-than-life personality on MTV, for Isis, he will always be simply “Dad.”
Final Thoughts
Isis Rae Boykin’s life is a poignant reminder of the human side of celebrity culture.
Born into fame but choosing a life of privacy, she carries the legacy of her father, Christopher “Big Black” Boykin, with grace and dignity. From her brief appearance on Rob & Big as an infant to the tragic loss of her father at just nine years old, Isis’s journey has been shaped by both the spotlight and the shadows.
Today, as she steps into adulthood, she remains a symbol of her father’s greatest pride—his role as a devoted parent. While the public may never know the full details of her life, one thing is certain: Christopher Boykin’s love for his daughter was immeasurable, and that love continues to guide her path forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Old Is Isis Rae Boykin?
Isis Rae Boykin was born on February 15, 2008, making her 18 years old as of 2026.
Who Are Isis Rae Boykin’s Parents?
Her parents are Christopher “Big Black” Boykin, the MTV reality star, and Shannon Turley. They married in January 2008 and divorced in 2009.
Did Isis Rae Boykin Appear on “Rob & Big”?
Yes, she appeared as an infant on an episode of MTV’s Rob & Big. The episode aired on April 15, 2008, shortly after her birth.
What Happened to Isis Rae Boykin’s Father?
Christopher “Big Black” Boykin died from a heart attack on May 9, 2017, at the age of 45. He had been hospitalized in Texas for heart issues prior to his passing.