Robert De Niro’s 29-year-old daughter, Airyn De Niro, has come out publicly as a transgender woman, sharing her deeply personal story in a candid interview with Them magazine published on April 29, 2025. Airyn, an aspiring actress and model, is the daughter of legendary Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro and actress Toukie Smith. She also has a twin brother, Julian.
In her first public discussion about her gender identity, Airyn opened up about the journey that brought her to this moment, including struggles with self-image, societal pressures, media scrutiny, and her hopes for the future as a Black, queer, and plus-sized trans woman.
“There’s a Difference Between Being Visible and Being Seen”
Speaking with Them contributor Ava Pauline Emilione, Airyn reflected on her long path toward self-recognition and authenticity. “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.”
This statement touches on a common theme experienced by many LGBTQ+ individuals — the idea that society may acknowledge their existence, but fails to truly understand or embrace their full humanity. For Airyn, this lack of visibility was amplified by her association with a famous father, which often led to assumptions and misinformation about her life.
She revealed that recent media coverage, including an article from The Daily Mail, inaccurately described her background and identity, which served as a stark reminder of how little the public truly knows about her. “They just sort of reminded me that people really don’t know anything about me,” she said.
Not a “Nepo Baby”: Building Her Own Identity
Despite being the child of one of the most revered actors in Hollywood, Airyn made it clear that her father never pushed her into the spotlight. In fact, both Robert De Niro and Toukie Smith were deliberate in keeping their children away from public attention during their formative years.
“My dad was very big on us finding our own sort of path,” Airyn emphasized. “I wasn’t brought up having a side part in one of dad’s movies or going to business meetings or attending premieres.”
Addressing critics who label her as a “nepo baby” — a term used to describe children of celebrities who benefit from inherited fame — Airyn insisted, “I would want [success] to happen on my own merit.”
She added that she’s thankful her parents protected her childhood from the pressures of fame. “Obviously, 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.”
Growing Up With Body Dysmorphia and Identity Struggles
Airyn discussed her lifelong struggle with body image and societal expectations around race, gender, and appearance. She described growing up feeling as if she was always being told she was “too much of something or not enough of something.”
“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.’”
These conflicting messages contributed to what she now recognizes as body dysmorphia, a mental health condition that causes people to obsess over perceived flaws in their appearance. According to the Cleveland Clinic, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) affects about 2% of the population and is more common among individuals who experience intense societal pressures, including trans and non-binary people.
Airyn’s reflection brings attention to how overlapping systems of discrimination — racism, fatphobia, transphobia — can combine to impact mental health, especially for young people growing up in marginalized communities.
Beginning Her Transition in 2024: “It Just Felt Right”
In November 2024, Airyn began hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a major milestone in her gender transition. She describes this as a liberating moment of self-ownership and pride.
She cited Halle Bailey’s portrayal of Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid as a major source of inspiration. Seeing a Black woman in such an iconic role sparked a desire to embrace her own identity more fully. Following that, Airyn made a symbolic decision: she got her hair done at a Black hair salon and chose pink locs as part of her new expression.
“It just felt right,” she said. That moment, she explained, made her feel more aligned with her authentic self — not just as a trans woman, but as a proud Black woman reclaiming her narrative.
A Mission to Inspire and Advocate for Others
Airyn expressed her hopes that her visibility can inspire others who may not feel represented in mainstream media. “I’d want to hopefully be an inspiration for at least one other person like me — who is Black, who is queer, who’s not a size extra small,” she shared.
She specifically called out the lack of representation for Black trans women and women with bigger bodies. “I’d want to see more trans women, more Black women who are maybe bigger-bodied or don’t fit the mold of super thin or heroin chic.”
Her goal isn’t just about self-expression — it’s also about creating space for others. “Representation really matters,” she said. “But so does access to support and resources.”
Studying to Be a Mental Health Counselor
In addition to modeling and acting, Airyn is studying to become a licensed mental health counselor. She sees this path as an extension of her advocacy.
“People of color and queer people definitely need more mental health advocacy and support,” she explained. “So I’m hoping I’m able to do that.”
By entering the mental health field, she wants to contribute to changing the narrative — not just in media representation but also in the actual systems that support marginalized communities. Her lived experience as a queer Black woman, and as someone who has struggled with identity and body image, gives her unique insight into the needs of those often left behind by mainstream care systems.
A Look at Robert De Niro’s Family
Airyn is one of Robert De Niro’s seven children. Born in 1995, she and her twin brother Julian were welcomed by De Niro and actress Toukie Smith via surrogacy. Her older half-siblings include Drena, a daughter from De Niro’s first wife Diahnne Abbott (whom he later adopted), and Raphael, a former actor turned real estate agent.
De Niro also shares two children, Elliot and Helen Grace, with his ex-wife Grace Hightower. In April 2023, the actor became a father again at the age of 79, when he welcomed daughter Gia with his girlfriend, Tiffany Chen.
While Robert De Niro has yet to make a public statement regarding Airyn’s announcement, his previous stances have indicated a deep love and support for his family.
Visibility, Courage, and Hope
Airyn De Niro’s story is about more than fame or celebrity lineage — it’s about finding your voice, defying expectations, and stepping into your truth. Her courage to speak publicly about her transition — and the struggles and triumphs that come with it — reflects a broader cultural shift toward empathy, visibility, and acceptance.
In a time when anti-trans legislation is on the rise in many parts of the United States, stories like Airyn’s remind us of the real people behind the headlines — people navigating life with bravery, resilience, and hope for a more inclusive world.
As Airyn says, she hopes her journey will help even one other person feel less alone.
