“ If a 100 year - quondam Italian man can have love life and toleration in his heart , so can you . ”
This week,Robert De Niro’s 29-year-old daughter, Airyn, whom he shares with his ex, Toukie Smith, came out as trans in an interview withThem.
Since starting hormone therapy in November 2024,Airyn opened upabout “stepping into [her] new identity” as a trans woman after years of struggling with her identity. “There’s a difference between being visible and being seen. I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet,” she said. “Trans women being honest and open, especially [in] public spaces like social media and getting to see them in their success… I’m like, you know what? Maybe it’s not too late for me. Maybe I can start.”
Until now, Airyn — who has a twin brother, Julian — has lived a super private life, and although she didn’t talk a ton about her famous father in the interview, she did express gratitude for her “normal” upbringing.
“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,” Airyn said. “Obviously, 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.”
Now, as people celebrate Airyn’s Them interview online, her 81-year-old father has shared his support, too, tellingVarietyin a statement: “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. I love all my children.”
If you follow Robert away from his acting career, you’ll know he regularly finds himself on the right side of history regarding politics (e.g., hisongoing beef with Donald Trump). With that in mind, it comes as absolutely no surprise to hear that he’s continuing to show others how it’s done, and many online are praising him for his “what’s the big deal” approach to his daughter’s transition.
Some people have pointed out that it’s a little “sad” to see that a parent simply loving and supporting their child unconditionally is headline news, when that really should be the standard. Although in 2025, the trans community needs our support more than ever — and Robert proves it really is that easy.
you’re able to chance Airyn ’s fullThem interview here .
