Robert De Niro’s reaction to daughter’s identity revelation exposed.
Robert De Niro is making headlines today after offering a powerful statement of support for his transgender daughter, Airyn De Niro, just one day after she came out publicly.
Airyn’s journey highlighted.
Airyn’s transition has been ongoing for some time, and she began hormone therapy last year—a step she describes as a crucial part of her journey.
De Niro shares Airyn and her twin brother Julian, also 29, with actress Toukie Smith, who is 72.
The former couple were together for nearly a decade, from 1988 to 1996.
This heartfelt support from De Niro comes just after Airyn gave a candid interview with the prominent LGBTQ+ magazine, Them.
During the interview, Airyn discussed her decision to transition, the challenges she faced growing up in the shadow of one of the world’s most famous actors, and her deep desire to be seen for who she truly is.
Despite facing significant challenges, Airyn’s message is clear: She wants to be a role model for queer women of color, helping redefine beauty standards along the way.
In a revealing conversation at a café in Williamsburg, New York, Airyn opened up to Them contributor Ava Pauline Emilione about everything from video games to family life.
She recalled how much of her identity was misunderstood by the media, even before her transition, noting, “Not only did they get information wrong about me… they just reminded me that people don’t really know anything about me.”
Airyn’s complex relationship with the public eye has always been shaped by her famous father, and she admitted in the interview that her parents were extremely protective of her privacy growing up.
“They wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible,” she explained, reflecting on her parents’ decision to keep her out of the limelight.
Airyn’s struggles unveiled.
In high school, Airyn came out as a gay man, but the queer community wasn’t always kind.
“Gay men were ruthless and mean,” she shared. “I didn’t fit that beauty standard—thin, white, muscular, or just super fit.”
Airyn also described the emotional toll of growing up in an environment where she was constantly criticized for not fitting into any of the boxes.
“I was always told I was too much of something or not enough of something,” she recalled.
“Too big, not skinny enough. Not Black enough, not white enough. Too feminine, not masculine enough.”
Hormone therapy has played a key role in her transition, but Airyn also credits Black women for inspiring her to embrace her new identity.
“I think stepping into this new identity, while also being more proud of my Blackness, makes me feel closer to them in some way,” she said.
Her transition isn’t just physical—Airyn revealed that she also looks to her mother for emotional strength, drawing from her mother’s defiant and joyful womanhood.
“Whenever I’m at a family gathering, people always talk about how much they love my mom and how memorable she was,” she said. “I want to be like that.”
Airyn clearly values the role her mom played in her life, noting how she’s learned to embrace femininity in a way that’s warm, inviting, and free of societal masks.
But now, her father, Robert De Niro, is also fully on board, showing a level of understanding that speaks volumes about his evolving relationship with his transgender daughter.
De Niro’s powerful message exposed.
The 81-year-old actor, who has been a Hollywood icon for decades, shared his unconditional love for Airyn, 29, amidst a whirlwind of media attention.
In an exclusive statement to TMZ, De Niro declared, “I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter.”
De Niro’s words of support came after Airyn had a major interview discussing her journey of self-discovery and transitioning in the public eye.
The actor, famous for his roles in “Goodfellas” and “Taxi Driver,” made his comments as part of a growing trend of celebrities speaking out for their LGBTQ+ loved ones.
For Airyn, hearing these words from her father, who has been an iconic figure in Hollywood for decades, is a moment of validation she didn’t expect.
She spoke fondly of how their relationship has grown, noting that, even though her journey has been personal, the support from her parents, including De Niro, has been a source of strength.
“It means everything to me,” she said, referring to her dad’s recent public endorsement of her transition.
Airyn’s journey unfolds.
With Robert De Niro’s unwavering support now in the public eye, Airyn’s journey toward self-acceptance is becoming a beacon for others in the LGBTQ+ community.
As she continues to break barriers and redefine beauty standards, the De Niro family’s united front sends a powerful message of love, acceptance, and transformation.
For Airyn, this is just the beginning—she’s determined to use her platform to inspire others, carving out a space where queer people of color and larger bodies can thrive.