Robert De Niro has publicly voiced his unwavering support for his daughter, Airyn De Niro, following her recent announcement that she is transgender. The acclaimed actor’s statement emphasizes acceptance and love, adding his voice to an increasingly important conversation about trans visibility and rights.
“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 deal is,” De Niro, 81, stated to Variety. “I love all my children.” His simple yet powerful words resonate in a society grappling with understanding and acceptance of gender identity.
Airyn De Niro, 29, shared her story in a recent interview with Them, discussing her journey of self-discovery and embracing her true identity. She articulated the complexities of navigating the world as a trans woman, highlighting the importance of being seen and understood.
“There’s a difference between being visible and being seen. I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet.”
Airyn also touched on her upbringing, expressing gratitude for her parents’ efforts to provide a “normal childhood” away from the constant glare of the public eye. That said, she remakrs, “No parent is perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight. They have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible.”
She further shared her personal struggles with body image and societal expectations, noting, “I was always told I was too much of something or not enough of something growing up: 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.’” This sentiment echoes the experiences of many individuals who feel pressured to conform to narrow beauty standards.
The decision to begin hormone therapy last November marks a significant step in Airyn’s journey toward aligning her physical self with her internal sense of self. She hopes her story will inspire others, particularly Black, queer, and bigger-bodied women, to embrace their authentic selves.
The ripple effect of Airyn’s story is already being felt, with actress Laverne Cox, a prominent trans advocate, expressing her admiration and support. Cox shared a heartfelt video on Instagram, acknowledging Airyn’s words and emphasizing the importance of representation.
“I just want to take a moment and give a special shout-out to Airyn De Niro… I often have moments — particularly in these deeply troubling times — moments of feeling like I’m not doing enough, that I should be doing more. And I always have to remind myself that if I can touch one person’s life, if I can inspire someone, one person, to be more themselves, to live authentically, to embrace every single aspect of who they are, then that is enough.”
Following the release of her interview, Airyn expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of support on Instagram. “Thank you to everyone who’s been so sweet and supportive! I’m not used to all these eyes on me,” she wrote, adding, “Also for the folks asking if I have representation or signed to anyone, I am literally just a girl with a phone, so sorry if I miss your messages!”
The widespread attention following Airyn’s announcement highlights the ongoing need for trans visibility and representation in media and society. Her courage in sharing her story empowers others to embrace their authentic identities, while her father’s public support sends a powerful message of acceptance and unconditional love.
Airyn’s brave decision—to share her truth publicly—brought an immediate wave of support. However, the complex consequences extend beyond mere acceptance. It has inadvertently placed a spotlight on the De Niro family, attracting both positive and negative attention, and further fueling public discourse on transgender issues. This increased visilbility can have unintended effects, potentially exposing Airyn to scrutiny and judgment, highlighting the vulnerability that often accompanies public life.
Here are some key take away from the story:
- Robert De Niro has publicly supported his daughter, Airyn, after she came out as transgender.
- Airyn shared her story in an interview, discussing her journey and the importance of being seen.
- Laverne Cox posted a video on social media in support of Airyn.
- Airyn expressed gratitude for the support she has received on social media.
- The event contributes to the larger conversation about trans visibility and rights.
The implications became clear later; as Airyn mentioned feeling “not enough” growing up, her story resonates with many who similarly feel the weight of societal pressures, and that in itself can serve as a catalyst for change.
Airyn’s mother is actor Toukie Smith. Robert De Niro has six other children: Drena and Raphael (with ex-wife Diahnne Abbott), Elliot and Helen Grace (with ex-wife Grace Hightower), and Gia (with girlfriend Tiffany Chen).