Airyn De Niro, the 29-year-old daughter of veteran Hollywood stars Robert De Niro and Toukie Smith, came out as transgender in an interview that was published this week.
Airyn’s superstar parents were romantically involved from 1988 to 1996, and they welcomed her and her twin brother via a surrogate mother in 1995. Airyn opened up about her sexuality during an interview with Them.
“I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight,” she said. “They have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible.”
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Airyn in the interview also reflected on how she initially had issues fitting in with beauty standards because of her sexuality, physique and race.
“[Gay men were] ruthless and mean. I didn’t even fit that beauty standard, which is thin, white, muscular, or just super fit, masculine,” she said. “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.’”
Airyn, who identified herself as a “late bloomer,” explained why she ultimately decided to open up about her transition. “Trans women being honest and open, especially [in] public spaces like social media and getting to see them in their success… I’m like, you know what? Maybe it’s not too late for me,” she stated. “Maybe I can start.”
Airyn also credited her transition to the influence that Black women have had on her. “I think a big part of [my transition] is also the influence Black women have had on me,” she said. “I think stepping into this new identity, while also being more proud of my Blackness, makes me feel closer to them in some way.”
Meanwhile, Airyn’s father in a statement to CNN reiterated his love for his daughter. “I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter. I don’t know what the big deal is,” Robert De Niro said. “I love all my children.”
Besides her father, Airyn also received an outpouring of support on social media after she opened up about her sexuality. “Thank you to everyone who’s been so sweet and supportive!” the 29-year-old shared on Instagram.
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