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Topics: Celebrity
Robert De Niro's child, Airyn De Niro, has announced that she is transgender.
Airyn, 29, is the daughter of De Niro and Toukie Smith, who also share a son, Julian Henry De Niro, 29 - who is Airyn's twin.
Speaking to LGBTQ+ publication, Them, Airyn opened up about her journey after first beginning hormone therapy in November 2024.
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After seeing others sharing their transition journeys online, Airyn decided to go for it.
"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," Airyn explained.
"Maybe I can start.
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"... I think a big part of [my transition] is also the influence Black women have had on me.
“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 opened up about her family, and some of her anxieties about how they will process the change.
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“I think part of me is concerned that [my family] will maybe still think of me as the person I was before the transition,” she added.
“... Whenever I’m at a family gathering on my dad’s side, people would always talk about how much they love my mom and how memorable she was and how happy my dad was when he was with her.
“I want to be like that… I want to be remembered the way that people remember her.
“The way [my mom] would conduct or hold herself, the way that I saw her interact with others in public when I was younger, I see myself emulating that in some way.
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“Whether it’s just turning on the charm or not putting on a mask, but wanting to be feminine in a way that’s inviting and warm and welcoming.”
During her interview, Airyn also touched on nepotism, explaining that her dad always encouraged them to find their own path in life.
"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," she said.
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"I would want [success] to happen on my own merit."
She added: “I had two auditions for this video game, League of Legends.
“It’s one of the biggest video games I play all the time with friends. I was like, ‘Oh my God. That’d be so cool. It would be a make-it-or-break-it moment for me.’
"Obviously it didn’t happen. I was like, 'What’s the point?’ It’s the really big auditions that you’re like, ‘F**k, this could have been life-changing, but it just I wasn’t the right fit.’ And sometimes it’s hard to not internalize that.”