Airyn De Niro, the daughter of legendary actor Robert De Niro and actress Toukie Smith, has come out publicly as a transgender woman in a heartfelt and candid interview with Them. The 29-year-old aspiring model and artist opened up about her identity, personal transformation, and how recent misrepresentations in the media prompted her to speak out. The interview marks a significant moment not only in her own journey but also in the broader discourse surrounding trans visibility and authenticity, particularly within high-profile families.
A Misunderstood Moment Sparks a Candid Revelation
Airyn’s decision to speak publicly comes on the heels of recent media coverage that inaccurately portrayed her identity following a public appearance. “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.” The coverage, which reportedly misgendered her and relied on outdated or false assumptions, reminded Airyn just how little the public truly knows about her. “They just sort of reminded me that people really don’t know anything about me,” she added.
Rather than allow others to tell her story inaccurately, Airyn chose to reclaim her narrative. Her interview is not only a declaration of identity but a challenge to the often superficial or careless ways media and public perception treat transgender individuals—particularly those born into famous families.
The Weight of a Famous Surname
Airyn is one of Robert De Niro’s seven children and shares a particularly close bond with her twin brother, Julian. Born into Hollywood royalty, she is acutely aware of how her last name affects the way people view her and the assumptions they make about her life. In the interview, she addressed the growing trend of labeling children of celebrities as “nepo babies,” a term often used to suggest that their success is unearned and solely due to parental fame.
“I wasn’t brought up having a side part in one of dad’s movies or going to business meetings or attending premieres,” Airyn said. “My dad was very big on us finding our own sort of path... I would want [success] to happen on my own merit.”
Rather than capitalize on the De Niro name, Airyn has been forging her own journey—largely outside the spotlight. She described her upbringing as grounded and focused on personal growth, rather than Hollywood glitz. Her identity, she emphasized, is hers alone, shaped not by privilege, but by introspection, perseverance, and resilience.
Transitioning with Strength and Support
Airyn began hormone therapy in late 2024 and said that the journey of transitioning has been deeply personal and often emotional. She credits her support system—including her mother, Toukie Smith, and figures in the Black and trans communities—for giving her the courage to embrace her identity. “I owe so much of this journey to the Black women in my life,” she said, naming her mother, actress and model Laverne Cox, and singer Halle Bailey as key influences.
The conversation surrounding her transition is also inseparable from her identity as a Black trans woman—a position that comes with unique challenges and vulnerabilities. By stepping into the public eye, Airyn hopes not only to affirm herself but also to advocate for greater understanding and representation for others in similar positions.
Reclaiming the Narrative
Airyn’s interview with Them is less about announcing her identity—something she says she has always known—and more about reclaiming her image from a media apparatus that often dehumanizes and objectifies. “The world didn’t give me the space to come into myself,” she said, alluding to the judgment, assumptions, and societal expectations placed upon her. “I had to take it.”
She reflected on how her transition has been misunderstood or sensationalized, often viewed through the lens of her father's fame rather than her own lived experience. The media attention has forced her into a kind of visibility that lacks depth, stripping her of nuance and agency. This interview is her way of correcting the record and asserting her truth.
Breaking the Mold
Despite growing up in a family synonymous with Hollywood, Airyn has always sought to break away from expectations. Her creative work—spanning modeling, writing, and visual art—focuses on themes of identity, perception, and self-love. She has taken a quiet yet deliberate approach to her career, resisting the lure of quick fame in favor of authenticity.
She emphasized that she doesn’t want her story to be reduced to headlines or gossip. Instead, she wants it to serve as a catalyst for broader conversations about acceptance, trans identity, and how we treat people in the public eye—especially those who don’t conform to traditional molds.
Looking Ahead with Purpose
Airyn expressed a desire to use her platform not just for self-expression but also to advocate for mental health resources and greater empathy, particularly within marginalized communities. She believes deeply in the power of storytelling, especially when it comes to breaking down stereotypes and building bridges across different lived experiences.
“There’s a lot of healing that needs to happen—not just for me, but for so many people like me,” she said. By coming forward, she hopes to help create space for others to be seen, not just noticed.
Her courage to speak out, especially when misrepresented, is a testament to her strength and integrity. It also highlights a growing trend of celebrity children stepping into their own light, not as extensions of their parents, but as individuals in their own right—with their own stories, struggles, and dreams.
A Moment of Visibility, and of Being Truly Seen
Airyn De Niro’s interview is more than a coming out—it is a declaration of self-worth and a demand to be seen as she truly is. In an age of snap judgments and viral headlines, her words are a powerful reminder that visibility is not the same as understanding, and fame does not exempt anyone from the human desire to be known authentically.