In a heartfelt display of support, actor Robert De Niro has publicly embraced his daughter Airyn De Niro, who recently came out as a transgender woman. At 81 years old, De Niro, who has seven children, expressed his unwavering love for Airyn, stating, "I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter. I don't know what the big problem is... I love all my children." This statement came following Airyn's candid interview with Them magazine, where she opened up about her transition journey and the challenges she faced as a Black trans woman.
Airyn, 29, is one of De Niro's children with actress Toukie Smith. The couple, who were together from 1988 to 1996, welcomed twins Julian and Airyn via IVF and surrogacy in October 1995. Despite her father's iconic status, Airyn was raised away from the Hollywood spotlight. She expressed gratitude for her parents' decision to keep her life private, saying, "They wanted it very private. They have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible." This upbringing allowed her to explore her identity without the pressure of public scrutiny.
In her interview on April 29, 2025, Airyn discussed her experience of being visible yet not truly seen. She remarked, "There’s a difference between being visible and being seen. I’ve been visible, but I think I still haven’t been seen." Airyn began her hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in November 2024, a significant step in her transition process. She had previously identified as a gay man during her adolescence, but felt that label did not encompass her true identity.
Airyn's journey gained media attention when she was spotted in New York City wearing pink dreadlocks and heels, leading to coverage by outlets like the Daily Mail, which referred to her transformation as "shocking." This exposure prompted her to come out publicly, as she felt it was essential to share her truth. "I didn’t find out about the Daily Mail article until about a week after it was published. Not only did they say incorrect things about me... they just reminded me that people really don’t know anything about me," she explained.
In a world where the rights of transgender individuals are increasingly under threat, Airyn's story resonates deeply. She has been inspired by prominent figures like actress Laverne Cox, who has made significant strides in advocating for trans visibility and rights. Cox, who boasts a following of seven million on Instagram, sent Airyn a heartfelt video message, congratulating her for embracing her true self. "I feel deeply honored to be an inspiration for you. Embracing the beauty that you are, and not just the external beauty, is so important," Cox said.
Despite her father's fame, Airyn is determined to carve her own path in the entertainment industry. She has spent the last seven years pursuing opportunities as a voice actress and model, often facing rejection. "I auditioned for the role of Jules in Euphoria, among other roles," she shared, emphasizing her desire to succeed on her own merits. In response to being labeled a 'nepo baby', she firmly stated, "I didn’t grow up with a supporting role in one of my dad’s movies, or going to business meetings or premieres. My dad was very insistent that we find our own way... I would want success to come from my own merits."
Airyn's Instagram account, which previously had a modest following of 4,400, has seen an influx of support since her interview, with many praising her courage. She expressed her gratitude to her supporters, saying, "Thank you to everyone who has been so kind and supportive! I’m not used to being looked at so much." The attention has also sparked interest in her future endeavors, as she aspires to become a mental health counselor and continue her activism for Black and queer individuals.
Reflecting on her identity, Airyn shared her desire to be a source of pride for other women and people of color. "I want to be a reference for other trans and racialized people. I want them to see that they can also succeed and be proud of who they are," she stated. She dreams of appearing on the cover of Vogue with her mother, a former model for Yves Saint Laurent, saying, "If I could be on the cover of Vogue with my mom or recreate one of her photos, it would be a dream come true."
As Airyn navigates her journey, she emphasizes the importance of representation and the need for more visibility for diverse bodies in media. She remarked, "I would like to see more trans women, more Black women who might have larger bodies or who don’t fit the mold of super skinny or chic heroines." Through her story, Airyn De Niro is not just sharing her personal journey but is also advocating for broader acceptance and understanding of the transgender community.
