Robert De Niro has shared his reaction after his child, Airyn, came out as transgender at the age of 29. He said his feelings have not changed and that he has always loved and supported his child, adding that he loves all of his children equally.
Airyn spoke publicly about her transition, explaining that she struggled for years with beauty standards and feeling like she never fit in. After seeing other transgender women speak openly about their experiences, she decided to begin hormone therapy, saying their honesty helped her realize it was not too late to live as herself.
Before coming out, Airyn worried that her family might still see her as the person she was before her transition. Those concerns eased after her father’s response, which focused on acceptance rather than change.
She also shared that her parents protected her privacy while she was growing up, wanting her to have as normal a childhood as possible despite De Niro’s fame. Although she was often visible to the public, she said she did not feel truly seen until now.
Airyn is currently studying to become a mental health counselor and hopes to succeed on her own merit. She also wants her story to encourage others, especially those who feel overlooked, to feel confident and accepted in who they are.