Robert De Niro's daughter has sent him a heartfelt message after she came out as a trans woman earlier this week.
Airyn De Niro, 29, revealed the news in a piece with Them magazine at a tumultuous time for members of the LGBTQ+ community in the US, with the Trump Administration holding the view that someone's gender isn't changeable.
However, this didn't stop Airyn from sharing her true self with the world, receiving love and support from those in her life and those on social media.
In the article, the aspiring mental health counsellor spoke about 'stepping into this new identity', having started hormone therapy in November 2024.
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Following the article's release, her father told Variety in a statement: " 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. I love all my children."
Now, she has responded with a statement of her own on Instagram.
The daughter of De Niro and his former partner Toukie Smith, Airyn started her video, which is over six minutes and 20 seconds long, by saying: "I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who sent me all their love and support.
"Friends, family, strangers, old peers from school, thank you for reaching out, it means a lot," before going on to thank Them interviewer Ava Pauline Emilione and actress Laverne Cox, who she called an 'icon' and a 'legend.'
She added: "I also want to say thank you to my mom and dad for supporting me, and accepting me, and always being there when I need them.
"I could not have asked for better parents. So thank you," Airyn stated.
After that, she moved on to certain offers she'd received for movie roles or walking in fashion shows, Airyn said that she can't accept the offers due to two reasons.
One of those was a recent knee surgery that she underwent, before going on to explain the second point in a lot more detail.
"I know, I recognise I definitely come from a place of privilege, given the environment I live in and who my family is," she candidly admitted.
Airyn went on: "I don’t feel I’m as deserving of those opportunities – or even as much praise as I’m getting.
"While I recognise coming out is an act of bravery, especially given the current climate of things, there are folks who have it much harder than I do."
She went on to say that she hopes that these people that had put in the work to make it in the entertainment industry are still presented with these opportunities, as she doesn't plan to take any of the ones presented to her.
At the end of the clip, she sent out an urgent message: "To the folks who support, and to those who don’t support me, I ask that we try to be mindful of other people’s circumstances, especially if we don’t know them.
"Approach others who think differently than you, or have other views or beliefs than you on anything, try to approach it with more curiosity and give others grace."
"That’s something I think we need more of. The world is heavily lacking empathy so I just thought that was important to say," she concluded.
During her interview with Them, she said that after seeing others being so 'honest and open' in public spaces and being successful, she was inspired.
Airyn then thought 'maybe it’s not too late for me', before starting hormone therapy.
"There’s a difference between being visible and being seen," she added.
"I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet."
Topics: Celebrity News, LGBTQ, Mental Health, Robert De Niro, Parenting, Instagram
Joshua Nair