- Airyn de Niro reveals transition in first ever interview
- Halle Bailey in Little Mermaid had a huge impact on her
- Hopes to one day with on the cover of Vogue
Robert de Niro’s daughter Airyn has come out as transgender woman.
Speaking to Them in her first ever interview, she opened up about her journey and the motivations behind her transition.
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The 29 year old told the magazine “I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet” and also revealed how 2023’s The Little Mermaid movie had a huge impact on her.
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Airyn is one of seven children fathered by the 81-year-old Hollywood legend. She and her twin brother Julian are the children of De Niro and actress Toukie Smith.
Airyn influenced by black women
Speaking candidly to journalist Ava Pauline Emilione in a Williamsburg café, Airyn – who was born as Aaron – reflected on her influences growing up and being a “late bloomer,”
“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,” she shared. “It was never just, ‘You’re just right, just the way you are.’”
She said that seeing Halle Bailey, a Black woman, portray Ariel in The Little Mermaid encouraged her to book her first appointment at a Black hair salon, which was a turning point in her self-discovery.
“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.”
Airyn hopes to be a role model, especially as a Black trans woman, a group that is often underrepresented.
“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 reflected. “I’d want to see more trans women, more Black women who are maybe bigger-bodied or don’t fit the mold of super thin.”
Being raised by famous parents
Airyn also spoke about what it was like being raised by famous parents and how they made sure to keep her out of the spotlight, stating that she doesn’t like to be called a “nepo baby.”
Her father is regarded as one of the greatest actors of a generation known for iconic films like Taxi Driver and Raging Bull. Her mother, Smith, is an actress and model, best known for her role on the sitcom 227 and for her work with top fashion brands like Chanel and Versace.
“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.”
Airyn revealed that she hopes to become a star in her own right, with aspirations to follow in her mother’s footsteps.
“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 added, “I want queer people of color and bigger-bodied people to have an Alex Consani. I want queer people of color and bigger-bodied people to have a Hunter Schafer,’ she says.
“A part of me has always wanted to model and sort of follow my mom’s footsteps. Honestly, if I could be on the cover of Vogue with her or recreating one of her pictures, that would be a dream come true.”
