Robert De Niro’s daughter, Airyn De Niro, has publicly come out as transgender in her first interview discussing her identity and transition. The 29-year-old revealed she began hormone replacement therapy in November 2024 and expressed her hopes of becoming a visible figure for other queer women of color.
“There’s a difference between being visible and being seen,” Airyn told Them. “I don’t think I’ve been seen yet.” Airyn, who came out as a gay man during her teenage years, reflected on the challenges she faced growing up, including feeling like she never fit into the expectations imposed on her.
“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,” she said. “It was never just, ‘You’re just right, just the way you are.’”
She credited the influence of Black women and their strength as a source of inspiration throughout her transition. “I think a big part of [my transition] is also the influence Black women have had on me,” she said. “I think stepping into this new identity, while also being more proud of my Blackness, makes me feel closer to them in some way.”
In the interview, Airyn also spoke about her desire to see more diverse representation in media. “I want queer people of color and bigger-bodied people to have an Alex Consani. I want queer people of color and bigger-bodied people to have a Hunter Schafer.”
Her father, Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro, 81, expressed support for his daughter following the announcement. “I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter,” he said in a statement to TMZ. “I don’t know what the big deal is… I love all my children.”
Airyn, who was born in 1995 alongside her twin brother Julian to De Niro and his former partner Toukie Smith, also spoke about her upbringing and the value placed on individuality. “I wasn’t brought up having a side part in one of dad’s movies or going to business meetings or attending premieres,” she said. “My dad was very big on us finding our own sort of path. I would want [success] to happen on my own merit.”
She shared her ambitions moving forward, including dreams of modeling and celebrating her mother’s legacy. “Honestly, if I could be on the cover of Vogue with her or recreating one of her pictures, that would be a dream come true.”
Airyn’s decision to go public, she said, was influenced by seeing other trans women succeed and live openly. “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.”
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