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In a heartfelt new interview with Them, Airyn De Niro, daughter of actor Robert De Niro, opened up about her personal journey of coming out as transgender and stepping into a new chapter of her life. Speaking with honesty and vulnerability, Airyn reflected not only on her transition, but also on her passion for advocating for mental health awareness and supporting communities that often go overlooked or unheard.
Airyn explained that while people may have noticed her before, they haven’t truly seen her for who she really is. “There’s a difference between being visible and being seen,” she said, noting that stepping into her identity is about finally feeling authentic and fully recognized.
She shared that Black women have had a big influence on her life, and embracing her identity as a Black trans woman has helped her feel even more connected to that part of herself. “Becoming more proud of my Blackness has brought me closer to the women who’ve shaped and inspired me,” she said.
Addressing how she’s been portrayed in the media recently, Airyn expressed frustration with how some stories have misrepresented her. She pointed out that the coverage only confirmed how little people really know about her as a person.
Despite being the child of a Hollywood legend, Airyn said she and her twin brother Julian were raised far from the glitz and glam of fame. Her parents, including their mother, actress Toukie Smith, worked hard to give them a grounded and quiet upbringing. She emphasised that her life didn’t revolve around movie sets or red carpets and that her father always encouraged them to forge their own paths.
Airyn admitted she struggled with her identity growing up, saying she often felt like she didn’t fit into any particular group, whether it was related to body image, race, or gender. She described constantly being told she wasn’t “enough” of anything. She began hormone therapy in late 2023 and now hopes to be a source of hope for others who feel unseen or misunderstood.
“I want to be someone that people like me can look up to, someone who is Black, queer, trans, and not a size extra small,” Airyn said. She called for more visibility and representation of trans women and Black women who don’t fit into narrow beauty standards.
Now, with a stronger sense of self and purpose, Airyn is ready to use her voice to uplift others and push for a world where everyone, no matter who they are, gets the chance to be seen and accepted for exactly who they are.