Legendary actor Robert De Niro has publicly expressed his love and support for his daughter Airyn De Niro, who recently came out as transgender.
Speaking to TMZ, the Oscar-winning actor responded to questions about Airyn’s transition with warmth and clarity:
“I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter,” he said. “I don’t know what the big deal is… I love all my children.”
Airyn Speaks Out on Visibility, Identity, and Family
In a candid interview with Them magazine, Airyn De Niro opened up about her journey as the daughter of a Hollywood icon and what it means to be seen beyond just being known.
“There’s a difference between being visible and being seen,” Airyn shared. “I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet.”
Airyn, an aspiring actress, expressed gratitude to her parents for keeping her childhood private and allowing her to grow away from the spotlight.
“Obviously no parent is perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight,” she said. “They wanted it very private… they told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible.”
How Black Women Inspired Her Transition
Airyn also reflected on how Black women played a meaningful role in her personal evolution.
“I think a big part of [my transition] is also the influence Black women have had on me,” she said. “Stepping into this new identity, while also being more proud of my Blackness, makes me feel closer to them in some way.”
Honoring Her Late Mother’s Memory
Airyn shared how deeply her mother’s legacy continues to inspire her and shape her goals.
“Whenever I’m at a family gathering on my dad’s side, people always talk about how much they love my mom, how memorable she was, and how happy my dad was when he was with her,” she recalled. “I want to be like that… I want to be remembered the way that people remember her.”
