Robert De Niro’s child, Airyn, has come out as transgender in their first-ever interview after spending much of their life out of the public eye.
The 29-year-old, who De Niro shares with former partner Toukie Smith, opened up about the journey to eventually identifying as a trans woman.
“There’s a difference between being visible and being seen,” Airyn said. “I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet.”
Airyn’s decision to speak publicly came weeks after paparazzi photographs of her alongside De Niro sparked tabloid coverage that “outed” them.
“Not only did they get information wrong about me… They just sort of reminded me that people really don’t know anything about me,” the 29-year-old said of the media reports.
Airyn began hormone therapy in November 2024, describing themselves as a “late bloomer” in the transition journey.
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“I think a big part of [my transition] is the influence Black women have had on me,” Airyn explained. “I think stepping into this new identity, while also being more proud of my Blackness, makes me feel closer to them in some way.”
The aspiring actress credited trans women like Laverne Cox and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez for inspiring them.
Growing up with famous parents, Airyn appreciated being kept out of the spotlight. “Obviously, no parent is perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight,” she said.
“They wanted it very private; they have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible.”
Airyn spoke candidly about struggling with body image issues as a “bigger-bodied person” in a family of “relatively thin or fit” individuals.
“I sort of stood out like a sore thumb and there wasn’t anybody in my family that could relate to that experience,” she recalled.
Despite being the daughter of an Oscar-winning actor, Airyn rejects the “nepo baby” label that has been banded around by critics.
“I wasn’t brought up having a side part in one of dad’s movies or going to business meetings or attending premieres. My dad was very big on us finding our own sort of path,” Airyn clarified.
The 29-year-old added that they “want [success] to happen on my own merit” rather than in the shadow of De Niro. Airyn previously auditioned for the role of Jules in HBO’s Euphoria, which ultimately went to Hunter Schafer.
The decision to go public with their transition was one that Airyn hopes will inspire others in a similar scenario.
“I’d want to hopefully be an inspiration for at least one other person like me who is Black, who is queer, who’s not a size extra small,” Airyn told Them.
“I’d want to see more trans women, more Black women who are maybe bigger-bodied or don’t fit the mold of super thin,” the budding actress said.
As well as pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, Airyn is also studying to become a mental health counsellor.
Airyn is a twin and one of seven children of De Niro’s.
The Godfather actor is also the father to daughters Drena, 57, Helen Grace, 13, and Gia, two as well as sons Raphael, 48, Julian, 29, and Elliot, 27.
