Robert De Niro Opens Up About Supporting His Trans Daughter Airyn

ROBERT DE NIRO SPEAKS OUT ON SUPPORTING HIS TRANS DAUGHTER, AIRYN: "I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BIG DEAL IS... I LOVE ALL MY CHILDREN"

In a rare and candid interview, Hollywood legend Robert De Niro, 81, opened up about his support for his transgender daughter, Airyn De Niro, 29. The Goodfellas star made his comments to Entertainment Tonight on Wednesday at the world premiere of Billy Joel: And So It Goes presented on the opening night of the Tribeca Festival, at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.

Airyn came out as a trans woman in an interview with Them published in April, and her father has been nothing but supportive. "As long as they're not hurting themselves, doing anything that's destructive or anything like that, you have to support them. Period," De Niro said.

The Oscar-winning actor shares Airyn and her twin brother Julian, 29, with actress Toukie Smith, 72. The pair dated from 1988 to 1996 and conceived their twins through in vitro fertilization (IVF), who were delivered via surrogate.

Airyn's journey to self-discovery has been a long and difficult one. In an interview with Them, she spoke candidly about her struggles growing up as the daughter of one of Hollywood's most famous actors. "I was always told I was too much of something or not enough of something," Airyn said. "Too big, not skinny enough. Not Black enough, not white enough. Too feminine, not masculine enough."

Airyn began hormone therapy last year and has since found a sense of freedom and joy in embracing her true identity. "I think stepping into this new identity, while also being more proud of my Blackness, makes me feel closer to them in some way," she said.

Her father's support has been unwavering, even when the spotlight shines bright on their personal lives. "I don't know what the big deal is... I love all my children," De Niro said, echoing his previous statement when Airyn came out as a trans woman.

De Niro has been vocal about being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community and has spoken out against police brutality in the past. In 2020, he appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and discussed raising his biracial children.

"My children are all half Black, and I don't take certain things for granted," De Niro admitted. "When people say that they tell their kids, 'Keep your hands out when you're stopped by any cops, keep your hands on the steering wheel, don't make a sudden move, don't put your hands below, don't do this,' you understand that."

Airyn hopes to use her platform to advocate for mental health awareness and support for people of color and queer individuals. "People of color and queer people definitely need more mental health advocacy and support," she said.

The 29-year-old also wants to be a role model for young women of color, showing them that they can create their own definition of beauty. "I want queer people of color and bigger-bodied people to have an Alex Consani or Hunter Schafer," Airyn said.

And what about her plans for the future? Airyn hopes to one day be a superstar, using her platform to make a difference in the world. "I want to be remembered the way that my mom is remembered – as being joyful and defiant in womanhood."

Airyn's mother, Toukie Smith, has been a constant source of support throughout her journey. "My dad was very big on us finding our own sort of path," Airyn said.

De Niro's family life has been under scrutiny in recent years, with the actor welcoming his eighth child, Gia, 2, with girlfriend Tiffany Chen in April 2023. The couple also shares a baby together.

TheScholarlyNote.com reported on De Niro's comments about supporting his trans daughter and the importance of mental health awareness for people of color and queer individuals.