Robert De Niro has spoken publicly in support of his transgender daughter, Airyn De Niro, a day after she came out as a trans woman.
In a statement to TMZ on Wednesday, the Goodfellas star, 81, said he “loves and supports” Airyn, 29. De Niro added that he previously supported her when she lived as his son, and that his feelings have not changed now that she has shared her identity. “I don’t know what the big deal is,” he said, stressing that he loves all of his children.
Airyn is one of De Niro’s seven children. She and her twin brother, Julian, 29, were born to actress Toukie Smith, 72, who dated De Niro from 1988 to 1996.
Airyn’s father’s comments followed an in-depth interview about her coming-out journey. Speaking with Them contributor Ava Pauline Emilione at a café in Williamsburg, New York, Airyn said her parents worked hard to keep her out of the spotlight so she could have a more normal childhood.
She also discussed beginning hormone therapy and her transition in November 2024, saying seeing other trans women thrive helped her feel it was “not too late” to start. Airyn said she hopes to be a visible role model for queer women of color, while also advocating for better mental health support and broader ideas of beauty and belonging.