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Robert De Niro, 81, makes rare comments about trans daughter Airyn, 29, he had with ex Toukie Smith

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Robert De Niro, 81, has made rare comments about his transgender daughter Airyn De Niro, 29.

The Goodfellas actor emphasized, ‘So far as they aren’t causing harm to themselves or engaging in harmful activities, it’s crucial to back them up. End of story.’

Entertainment Tonight interviewed The New Yorker on Wednesday during the world premiere of Billy Joel’s show “And So It Goes”, which took place on the first night of the Tribeca Festival, held at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.

I, absolutely smitten, donned a stylish gray suit, while my beloved, the radiant Tiffany Chen, aged 46 and mother to our precious bundle of joy, showcased an elegant black dress adorned with a sheer corset top. She accessorized flawlessly with ombre yellow sunglasses that added a pop of sunshine to her look.

Robert De Niro is the father of Airyn and her twin brother Julian, aged 29. He had a relationship with actress Toukie Smith, who is now 72 years old, from 1988 to 1996.

Airyn came out as a trans woman in an interview with Them published in April.

 In April De Niro said he ‘loves and supports’ Airyn, whom is one of his seven children. 

In a statement, the Oscar-winner expressed that she cherished and nurtured Aaron like her son, and now does the same for Airyn, whom she considers her daughter.

As a devoted parent, I can’t help but cherish each and every one of my kids equally, just as Airyn – my beloved child – is no exception, even amidst the buzz surrounding her recent journey with hormone therapy.

His supportive comments follow the comprehensive interview that Airyn gave to a well-known LGBT publication about her experience of coming out.

Airyn expressed her aspiration to act as an inspiration for women of color within the LGBTQ+ community, aiming to carve out a unique standard of attractiveness for themselves.

Ava Pauline Emilione, a contributing writer for Them, was conversed with by her at a café in Williamsburg, New York. Their discussion encompassed a wide range of topics, including her preferred video game, her fresh pink hairstyle, and her upbringing as the child of a globally recognized actor.

She started by saying, “Not only was the information about me incorrect…It seemed to confirm that no one truly knows much about me.

She also talked about her parents.

She expressed her gratitude that both her parents chose to shield her from public attention, preferring a more private life for her instead.

‘They have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible.’

She then addressed deciding to begin hormone therapy / transition in November 2024.

In public arenas such as social media, transgender women who are truthful and authentic about themselves inspire her, revealing their achievements. She thinks, ‘Perhaps there’s still hope for me.’

‘Maybe I can start.’

And there was a reason she wanted to address her gender identity.

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Airyn points out, “It’s one thing to be noticed and another to truly be understood. So far, I’ve managed to get noticed, but I haven’t felt truly understood or seen.

Airyn shares his experience of not being accepted by the queer community after coming out in high school: ‘They were harsh and unkind. I didn’t conform to their ideal image, which is typically slim, white, muscular, or extremely athletic, with a masculine appearance,’ says Airyn.

Growing up, I was frequently criticized for being too much or not enough of certain things: I was considered too large and not thin enough, not Black or white enough, and not feminine or masculine enough enough. There was never a simple affirmation that I was ‘just right, just the way I am.’

Hormone therapy in November 2024 helped.

She notes that a significant aspect of her transition was significantly impacted by the influence of Black women.

Translating that sentiment into simpler, more conversational English could be: “Taking on this new role, along with a stronger sense of embracing my Black heritage, seems to bring us a bit closer together.

Whenever we gather as a family on my father’s side, people often express their deep affection for my mother and reminisce about her unforgettable character, and how joyful my father seemed whenever he was with her,” Airyn explains. This suggests that my mother embodied a joyful, defiant womanhood that left a lasting impression on those around her.

‘I want to be like that…I want to be remembered the way that people remember her.’

Airyn mentions that she observes herself adopting her mother’s demeanor and the manner in which she interacts with people in public settings, as a reflection of her upbringing.

‘Either by being naturally appealing or by expressing oneself in a way that feels authentic yet inviting, charming, and welcoming – this is what it means to embrace a femininity.’

She does not like to be called a ‘nepo baby.’

Airyn shares, “Growing up, I didn’t have the experience of being in one of my father’s films or going to business meetings or premieres. My dad strongly believed that we should each forge our unique paths.” He adds, “I aspire to achieve success through my own efforts and merit.

‘I had two auditions for this video game, League of Legends,’ she shared. 

Among the many video games I frequently play with my friends, this one stands out as particularly significant. When I heard about an exciting opportunity within it, I couldn’t help but think, “Wow, that would be amazing! It could be a pivotal moment for me.” Alas, it didn’t come to pass. I found myself saying, “What’s the point?”

Similarly, when it comes to important auditions, there are times when I think, “This could have been transformative, but unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. I just wasn’t the right fit.” It can be challenging not to take such experiences personally at times.

And she hopes to be a superstar.

She expressed her desire for queer individuals of color and larger-sized people to have someone like Alex Consani or Hunter Schafer, who they can look up to.

A piece of me has harbored a desire to pursue modeling, and in some ways, I aspire to emulate my mother’s path. To put it candidly, the idea of gracing the cover of Vogue together with her or replicating one of her iconic shots is an ambition that I hold very dear and would consider the ultimate fulfillment of a dream.

She also addressed mental health.

She emphasized the importance of increased mental health advocacy and support for individuals identifying as people of color and queer. She expressed her hope to contribute in this area, noting that historically, the field has been biased towards white, cisgender heterosexual men, whose perspectives on what is considered mentally ill or abnormal may not be universally applicable.

And she wants people to understand her pain of growing up.

She expressed a desire for others to recognize her efforts in striving to recover from a childhood marked by low self-esteem,” she stated. “[Moreover], in this journey of healing, she endeavors to help others develop a positive self-image as well.

Smith and De Niro welcomed their twin children through the process of in vitro fertilization, with a surrogate assisting in the delivery.

Following his divorce from Diahnne Abbott, the previous pair started seeing each other. They spent about eight years as a couple.

In a 2020 interview with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, the renowned figure openly discussed his experiences of bringing up his mixed-race offspring.

In a candid admission, Robert De Niro shared that his children are of mixed race, half black, and he sometimes overlooks or assumes certain aspects without questioning them.

He added: ‘When people instruct their children to keep their hands visible and remain still when approached by police officers, not to make any abrupt movements, and avoid placing their hands anywhere other than on the steering wheel, it becomes clear why.’

He expressed concern, pointing to discussions about police brutality in light of George Floyd’s passing. “That’s unacceptable,” he emphasized. “Anyone who resorts to violence against another person without just cause – self-defense or protecting others – should not be performing that role.

That same year, De Niro reflected on whether his kids feel pressured to follow in his footsteps.

As a lifestyle advisor, I firmly believe in empowering children to pursue their dreams. I often tell my kids, “Go ahead and chase your aspirations, whether it’s acting or any other path you choose. What truly matters is your happiness.” However, I always encourage them to never undervalue themselves. My advice would be: “Strive for more than what you think you want. Reach a little further, challenge yourself, and don’t let fear hold you back.

He continued: ‘It’s important for them to find their own lane.’

De Niro is a father to not just one family but two. He has a daughter named Drena, who’s 53, and a son Raphael, aged 48, from his former marriage with Diahnne. Similarly, he shares a son Elliot, 27, and a daughter Helen Grace, 13, with his ex-wife, Grace Hightower.

Most recently, he welcomed Gia, 2, with girlfriend Tiffany Chen in April 2023.

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2025-06-05 17:25

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