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Robert De Niro Voices Support for Daughter Airyn After She Comes Out as Trans: ‘I Love All My Children’
May
Robert De Niro is publicly expressing his unwavering support for his daughter, Airyn, after she came out as transgender.
In a heartfelt statement to PEOPLE, the 81-year-old Oscar winner said, “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.”
De Niro, who shares Airyn and her twin brother Julian with ex-partner, actress and model Toukie Smith, has seven children in total. His youngest, Gia, was born to De Niro and his girlfriend Tiffany Chen in 2024.
Airyn’s father’s words come a day after she opened up to the LGBTQ+ outlet Them about her transition and her experience living with famous parents.
“Obviously no parent is perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight,” Airyn said. “They wanted it very private. They have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible.”
Despite their best efforts to shield her, Airyn, born in 1995, noted that she was still subjected to media scrutiny. Earlier this year, paparazzi photos reignited tabloid speculation about her transition.
“Not only did they get information wrong about me… They just sort of reminded me that people really don’t know anything about me,” she told Them. “There’s a difference between being visible and being seen. I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet.”
Embracing Her Full Identity
In the interview, Airyn also reflected on her journey to embrace her trans identity, revealing that it has allowed her to better embrace her Blackness as well.
“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.”
Airyn, who previously came out as gay before realizing the label didn’t fit, has been met with overwhelming support following her interview. She took to Instagram to express her gratitude, saying, “Thank you to everyone who’s been so sweet and supportive. I’m not used to all these eyes on me.”
She also admitted the flood of encouraging messages has been overwhelming: “I’m literally just a girl with a phone,” she wrote.
