Robert De Niro, the 81-year-old Hollywood legend, has recently spoken out about his daughter Airyn coming out as transgender at the age of 29. Airyn, who was born in 1995 to De Niro and his ex-partner Toukie Smith, shared her journey with the online magazine Them. Growing up, Airyn struggled with her identity, feeling like she didn’t fit into societal expectations of beauty. She often felt like she was “too much of something or not enough of something,” which took a toll on her self-esteem.
However, things took a turn for Airyn when she started following other trans women on social media, who were openly sharing their stories. Inspired by their courage and success, Airyn began to feel a sense of hope and possibility. She eventually started hormone therapy in November and has been working towards building a life that truly reflects who she is.
Despite her newfound confidence, Airyn had concerns about how her family would react to her transition. But De Niro’s response was nothing short of heartwarming. In an interview with People, he expressed his unwavering love and support for his daughter, saying, “I love and support Airyn as my daughter. I don’t know what the big deal is. I love all my children.” De Niro’s reaction is a testament to the importance of family acceptance and support for transgender individuals.
Airyn’s upbringing was marked by a mix of normalcy and public attention. Her parents made a conscious effort to shield her and her twin brother Julian from the spotlight as much as possible, allowing them to have a relatively normal childhood. Nevertheless, as the daughter of a famous actor, Airyn couldn’t escape the public eye entirely. “There’s a difference between being visible and being seen,” she noted. “I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet.”
Today, Airyn is focused on building her own future, separate from her father’s fame. She’s studying to become a mental health counselor and hopes to inspire others who feel unseen. By sharing her story, she wants to show others that they are not alone and that it’s possible to find one’s own path in life. De Niro has always encouraged his children to “find their own sort of path,” and Airyn is doing just that. With her father’s love and support, she’s paving her own way and inspiring others to do the same.
