Family comes first! Vin Diesel and goddaughter Meadow Walker had a close bond even before Paul Walker’s death in 2013 — and they’ve remained a tight-knit duo since his passing.
Diesel formed a friendship with Paul when they both starred in 2001’s The Fast and the Furious. The men went on to play BFFs Dominic Toretto and Brian O’Conner, respectively, in four more Fast and Furious films before Paul was killed in a single-vehicle car crash at the age of 40.
The She’s All That actor made his final appearance in the franchise in 2015’s Furious 7, which was in the middle of production at the time of his death.
Diesel, on the other hand, is still still a big part of the Fast family — and teased in June 2021 that Meadow might make a cameo in Fast 10, which is set to hit theaters in 2023.
The xXx actor, who has known Meadow since she was a little girl, has stepped in as a father figure in Paul’s absence. His partner, Paloma Jiménez, and their three children — Hania, Vincent and Pauline (who is named after Paul) — have also become part of Meadow’s inner circle.
“[Meadow] counts Vin and his kids as family and will talk to them on days she’s struggling, and she has their backs too,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly in June 2021.
The model, who was only 15 when her dad died, has continued to keep his memory alive with the help of Diesel and other close family friends.
“Meadow is so proud of her dad and goes out of her way to respond to people who send letters or express their love of him and his work,” the insider added. “She posts tributes to him on social media, keeps in touch with the people who were important in his life and generally acts on the advice he gave her whilst he was still alive.”
Diesel told Extra in June 2021 that Meadow even “takes good care” of him. The Bloodshot star explained that he feels “very protective” of Meadow and her father’s legacy within the racing franchise.
“The whole point of the Fast and Furious saga is the idea that brotherhood can be created by bond and not necessarily blood,” Diesel underscored at the time. “So much of Fast and Furious is celebrated by brotherhood that’s eternal. I never in a million years imagined 21 years ago that, beyond the script and the film, there would be this other guiding light, this other driving force that propels you to be as passionate as you can and manifest in the movie. … We’re all mortals, but love is immortal.”
Scroll down to see how Diesel has maintained a strong bond with Meadow over the years:
Leaning on Each Other
Diesel reflected on the heartbreak of living without Paul three years after his death during an appearance at Brazil Comic Con in December 2016. “We’ve felt the loss. The last three years have been some of the hardest of my life because of losing my brother like that,” he told Entertainment Tonight at the time. “I’d been to Brazil two times before, and both times that I’ve been here, I’ve always been with my brother, Pablo.”
The California native explained that his costars and goddaughter’s messages while traveling to Brazil for the first time without Paul were what made it easier to deal with. “It was a lot of tissues, and it was a hard morning for me yesterday because I was here,” he continued. “But the irony is the whole cast reached out, and his daughter, Meadow, reached out, and all that stuff helps you get through it.”
Birthday Love
“I could say that I am so proud of the person you are becoming … but the truth is I have always been proud of you,” the actor wrote via Instagram in November 2019 in celebration of Meadow’s birthday. “I know it’s your 21st and you wanted to go big in Japan, but the family has a cake waiting for you when you get home, so hurry. Love you kid. Uncle Vin.”
Sweet Siblings
The model was all smiles as she hung out with Diesel’s three children in June 2020. “Family, forever,” she captioned the snap via Instagram.
Bonded
“Family <3,” Meadow captioned an Instagram snap in May 2021. The black-and-white photo showed Diesel hugging his goddaughter and his eldest daughter, Hania.
Father’s Day Tribute
“She’s the first person on Father’s Day to wish me Happy Father’s Day. To see her with my children is one of the most beautiful things,” Diesel told Extra in June 2021 of his goddaughter. “There are moments when I see her playing with [my daughter] Pauline and it hits me so deep because I can only imagine what my brother [Paul] sees when he sees that.”
Wedding Day Wing Man
Us confirmed that the Guardians of the Galaxy actor walked Meadow down the aisle in place of her late father when she married Louis Thornton-Allan in October 2021. Fast and Furious’ Jordana Brewster was also in attendance.
Friendship Lives On
Friendship Lives On Diesel paid tribute to Paul on the anniversary of his death in November 2021 by sharing a story with the late star about his daughter’s wedding. The Furya actor posted a photo from Meadow’s special day, revealing that the bride chose Diesel’s daughter Hania as her maid of honor — continuing the friendship between the Diesel and the Walker families.
“So much to tell you … I can remember that day when you and I were filming that scene in F4where we were eating Chinese food and we had a brother combat scene which ended in you saying, ‘Letty just wanted you to come home Dom…’ When we were done filming that day you came into my trailer and asked, ‘What’s on your mind?’” Diesel wrote, speaking to Paul. “You always knew when something was on my mind. Haha. I told you that I was about to have a baby and didn’t know what to expect at the hospital, which I was heading to after work. Will never forget what you told me … you said, ‘A lot of tough guys will tell you to wait outside of the delivery room, but that’s wrong. Go in there, actually cut the umbilical cord and it will be the best day of your life.’”
Diesel noted that Paul was “talking from experience,” having already welcomed “an angel” of his own in Meadow. “It’s been eight years today … and not a day goes by that I don’t reflect of the brotherhood we were blessed to have … but you know that,” he continued, referencing his tragic death. “Tragedies in life are always followed by life’s blessings if you just stay open and have faith.”
The Machine producer then shifted his focus to Meadow’s wedding and the sisterhood she has with Hania. “Look at this photo Pablo, it will make you smile. The same angel that you helped me prepare for in the most beautiful way with your brotherly advice is the same angel that precious Meadow asked to be her Maid of Honor,” he wrote. “How could I have known that back on the 2008 set of Fast … but maybe somehow you did. Miss you. My children always tell me that uncle Paul is with you dad, always … and I know in my heart that they are right. Miss you Pablo…”
Always By Her Side
Meadow shared a sweet snap of Diesel and fellow Fast X costar Ludacris in September 2022. “Family,” she simply captioned the Instagram post.
Dream Come True
“I remember years ago you saying to me that this was one of your dreams… you did it. Proud,” the Fast X star wrote via Instagram in March 2023, posting a pic of Meadow smiling beside a photo from her Givenchy Beauty campaign.
Meadow replied: “I love you so much ❤️.”
‘Fast’ Friends
Meadow, who has a brief cameo in Fast X, joined Diesel at the May 2023 premiere in Rome.