Beyond the spotlight: Airyn De Niro's journey from celebrity offspring to transgender advocate

Airyn De Niro, the daughter of iconic actor Robert De Niro and model-turned-actress Toukie Smith, is embracing her truth and stepping into the public eye not as a celebrity offspring, but as her own person.

The 29-year-old aspiring model has come out as a transgender woman, opening up about her journey of identity, body image, and finding her voice away from the Hollywood scene.

In an interview with "Them", Airyn reflected on what it means to be seen versus simply being visible.

“There’s a difference between being visible and being seen. I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet,” she said, noting how media headlines have often misrepresented her story.

Despite being one of De Niro’s seven children, Airyn and her twin brother Julian were raised outside the glitz of red carpets and film sets.

“My dad was very big on us finding our own sort of path,” she said, pushing back on the notion that she’s had a head start because of her famous surname.

Airyn credits both her parents for giving her a grounded upbringing. “They wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible,” she shared.

While she recognises her privilege, she’s quick to note that her challenges weren’t erased by her family’s status. Growing up, she wrestled with societal standards and the pressure of not fitting neatly into boxes.

“Too big, not skinny enough. Not Black enough, not white enough. Too feminine, not masculine enough,” she said. “It was never just, ‘You’re just right.’”

Airyn began hormone therapy in late 2023 and has drawn strength from her mother and other influential black women in her life.

She hopes to be a role model for others who may feel unseen or erased, particularly trans women of colour and those who don’t conform to narrow beauty ideals.

“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 said.

“I’d want to see more trans women, more black women who are maybe bigger-bodied or don’t fit the mould of super thin or heroin chic.”

She’s also studying to become a mental health counsellor, aiming to work with marginalised communities, especially queer and BIPOC individuals. “People of colour and queer people definitely need more mental health advocacy and support,” she said.

Airyn’s story comes at a time when more children of public figures are bravely living their truth. Dwyane Wade’s daughter, Zaya Wade, came out as transgender in 2020 at just 12 years old, receiving strong public support from her family.

Similarly, Elon Musk’s estranged daughter legally changed her name and gender in 2022, seeking to distance herself from her father’s views.