Robert De Niro has voiced public support for his daughter Airyn De Niro after she came out as transgender. In a statement to multiple outlets, including Variety and Deadline, De Niro 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.”
Airyn is one of De Niro’s seven children. Her mother is actress Toukie Smith, and she has a twin brother, Julian. In a recent interview with Them, Airyn spoke about growing up in a well-known family while maintaining a level of privacy. “There’s a difference between being visible and being seen,” she said. “I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet.”
Airyn described her parents’ decision to keep her and her siblings out of the public eye as a deliberate effort to give them space away from media attention. “No parent is perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight. They have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible,” she said.
In the interview, she spoke about the people who influenced her decision to speak publicly about her identity. Among them was actress and advocate Laverne Cox, whose presence in media gave her a sense of possibility. “Trans women being honest and open, especially [in] public spaces like social media and getting to see them in their success,” she said. “I’m like, ‘You know what? Maybe it’s not too late for me.’”
After the interview was published, Cox responded by posting a video message on Instagram offering encouragement. Airyn later shared her own message with followers on Instagram. “Thank you to everyone who’s been so sweet and supportive! I’m not used to all these eyes on me,” she wrote.
She also addressed the growing attention around her name. “For the folks asking if I have representation or signed to anyone, I am literally just a girl with a phone, so sorry if I miss your messages!” she said.
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Airyn’s comments are among the first extended public remarks she has made. Until now, she has not been a visible figure in the entertainment world. In the interview, she acknowledged the weight of growing up with a public figure as a parent, but emphasized that her current steps are entirely her own.
De Niro’s statement was brief, but its timing and clarity drew attention across entertainment media. Known for being guarded about his personal life, De Niro has seldom spoken in detail about his children in interviews. His response has been received as an affirmation of his daughter’s identity, delivered without qualification or hesitation.
The interview arrives at a time when public figures from entertainment, sports, and other fields are continuing to share stories about gender identity and transition. Airyn’s decision to speak to Them adds to that broader moment, while reflecting her own perspective on privacy, timing, and personal readiness.
Her choice to open up, and her father’s remarks in response, have already begun to circulate widely across social platforms and entertainment news outlets. While she has expressed some discomfort with the increased attention, her message on Instagram suggests a willingness to engage with the public on her terms.
