Just one day after Airyn De Niro publicly came out as a transgender woman, her father, legendary actor Robert De Niro, offered his full and unconditional support. Speaking to TMZ, the 81-year-old star of Goodfellas expressed his love for Airyn, saying, “I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter.” He emphasized that he loves all seven of his children unconditionally, choosing to focus on his daughter’s well-being rather than framing her transition as a dramatic change.

Airyn, 29, shared her story in a heartfelt interview with Them magazine, opening up about her identity and aspirations. She revealed that she began hormone therapy in November 2024 and spoke about her desire to become a role model for queer women of color. Raised with her twin brother Julian by De Niro and her mother, actress Toukie Smith, Airyn explained that her parents worked to give them a relatively private and grounded childhood away from the media spotlight.

In her interview, Airyn reflected on the challenges she faced navigating her identity, particularly the feeling of not being fully accepted even after coming out as gay in high school. She touched on the pressure to conform to narrow standards of beauty and shared how she often felt like she was either “too much” or “not enough.” She credited the influence of Black women in her life, especially her mother, with helping shape her sense of joy, strength, and defiant womanhood.

Though she acknowledged her famous parentage, Airyn rejected the label of “nepo baby,” emphasizing that she’s committed to building her own career and identity. She shared examples of forging her own path, including auditioning for a video game role, and stressed that she wants to succeed on her own merit. Her journey highlights not only her personal resilience but also her desire to advocate for broader representation, especially for queer people of color and bigger-bodied individuals.

With Robert De Niro’s open support and her own courage in sharing her journey, Airyn’s story stands as a powerful example of authenticity, acceptance, and the evolving nature of family love. Her message of inclusion and self-determination offers inspiration to others navigating similar paths. As she steps into her truth, Airyn hopes to challenge societal expectations and foster greater understanding and visibility within and beyond the queer community.