Robert De Niro’s daughter comes out as transgender in first ever public interview

The daughter of one of the most iconic actors in Hollywood has broken her silence in her first ever public interview.

Robert De Niro’s daughter Airyn has come out as transgender in a new interview.

In an interview published on Tuesday, the A-lister’s daughter, Airyn revealed her transition while opening up about what it’s like to be one of his seven children.

Her mother, actress Toukie Smith, shares Airyn and twin brother Julian with the 81-year-old Oscar winner.

“There’s a difference between being visible and being seen,” Airyn, 29, told Them. “I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet.”

De Niro with four of his children, including daughter Airyn. Picture: Instagram

“I was always told I was too much of something or not enough of something growing up: Too big, not skinny enough. Not Black enough, not white enough. Too feminine, not masculine enough,” she shared. “It was never just, ‘You’re just right, just the way you are.’ ”

“I think a big part of [my transition] is also the influence Black women have had on me,” she explained. “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 has come out as transgender, and revealed the surprising inspiration for her reason to share the news publicly. Picture: Instagram.

De Niro dated actress Toukie Smith in the '90s. They welcomed Airyn in 1995. Picture: Getty

She went on to reveal that watching Halle Bailey’s starring turn in The Little Mermaid in 2023 had a huge impact on her and her decision to live life as her authentic self.

Airyn also opened up about being raised by De Niro, hitting back at the nepo baby label many children of A-list stars are given.

“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 … I would want [success] to happen on my own merit.

“Obviously, no parent is perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight,” she said of her mother and father. “They have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible.”

When quizzed about coming out at the age of 29 and not earlier, Airyn added: “I’m like, ‘You know what? Maybe it’s not too late for me. Maybe I can start.’”

Originally published as Robert De Niro’s daughter comes out as transgender in first ever public interview