Robert De Niro's 29-year-old daughter has publicly come out as transgender, revealing her journey in a candid first interview with Them magazine. In the interview, published on April 29, 2025, Airyn shared her journey of self-discovery and the motivations behind her decision to transition.
Robert De Niro's Daughter Comes Out as Transgender
"There's a difference between being visible and being seen," Airyn told Them contributor Ava Pauline Emilione. "I've been visible. I don't think I've been seen yet."
The daughter of the 81-year-old Oscar-winning actress Toukie Smith began hormone therapy in November 2024, marking a significant step in her gender journey. Airyn cited several inspirations for her transition, particularly highlighting the influence of Black women in her life. "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."
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Airyn specifically mentioned Halle Bailey's role in ‘The Little Mermaid’ (2023) as having a profound impact on her decision to transition. She also acknowledged other influential figures like Laverne Cox and Raven-Symone as inspirations.
As one of Robert De Niro's seven children, Airyn discussed her experience growing up with celebrity parents who deliberately kept her away from public attention.
"Obviously, no parent is perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight," she told the outlet. "They wanted it very private; they have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible."
This protective upbringing influences how Airyn views her current aspirations in acting and modelling. She expressly distances herself from the ‘nepo baby’ label that often follows children of famous parents.
"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," she stated.
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Challenges and Body Image
Airyn spoke frankly about struggling with body image issues throughout her life, feeling caught between different identity expectations.
"I didn't even fit that beauty standard, which is thin, white, muscular, or just super fit, masculine," she revealed. "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. It was never just, 'You're just right, just the way you are.'"
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These personal struggles have informed her current goals. "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 declared.
Airyn expressed some apprehension about how her family might perceive her transition. "I think part of me is concerned that (my family) will maybe still think of me as the person I was before the transition," she confessed during the interview.
She is one of seven children fathered by Robert De Niro. Her siblings include her twin brother Julian, as well as Drena (57), Raphael (48), Elliot (27), Helen (13), and Gia (2), all from the actor's previous relationships.
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Robert De Niro and Toukie Smith welcomed twins Julian and Airyn in 1995.
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