Thursday, May 1, 2025 - Robert De Niro’s daughter, Airyn De Niro, has publicly come out as a transgender woman in her first-ever interview.
Now 29, Airyn who used to be a man, shared that she began
hormone therapy in November and revealed the unexpected inspiration behind her
transition journey: Halle Bailey’s portrayal of Ariel in Disney’s live-action
The Little Mermaid.
Speaking with Them, Airyn — whom De Niro shares with former
partner Toukie Smith — described how the film marked a turning point for her.
After watching Bailey's performance, she made her first appointment at a Black
hair salon, which she said was a meaningful step toward embracing both her
gender identity and her Black heritage.
“I think a
big part of [my transition] is also the influence Black women have had on me,”
she said. “Stepping into this new identity, while also being prouder of my
Blackness, makes me feel closer to them in some way.”
Born Aaron, Airyn said being a trans woman means living
openly, especially in public spaces like social media. She credits the
visibility of other trans individuals as a source of courage for her decision
to come out. “I’m like, ‘You know what? Maybe it’s not too late for me. Maybe I
can start,’” she shared.
Airyn reflected on growing up with famous parents who
intentionally kept her out of the spotlight. Her father, 81, is one of
Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, with two Academy Awards and over 120 film
credits, including Taxi Driver, The Godfather Part II, and Raging Bull. Her
mother, Toukie Smith, 72, is a former model and actress.
Although Airyn expressed an interest in acting and modeling,
she said she resists the "nepo baby" label. “Obviously, no parent is
perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the
limelight. They wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible,”
she said.
“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. I would want [success] to happen on my own merit.”
She also spoke candidly about struggling with body image
growing up.
“I didn’t
fit the beauty standard, which is thin, white, muscular, or super fit,
masculine. I was always told I was too much of something or not enough of
something: Too big, not skinny enough. Not Black enough, not white enough. Too
feminine, not masculine enough. It was never just, ‘You’re just right, just the
way you are.’”
Airyn said she hopes sharing her story will empower others to embrace
their identities. “There’s a difference between being visible and being seen,”
she said. “I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet.”
Airyn is one of Robert De Niro’s seven children. She has a twin brother,
Julian, and five half-siblings: Drena, Raphael, Elliot, Helen, and Gia.
0 Comments