Robert De Niro’s son, Airyn De Niro, has announced he is now a woman and will use female locker rooms, following his transition as a transgender person. The 29-year-old, formerly known as Aaron, began hormone treatment in 2024.
Born via surrogate to De Niro and his ex-girlfriend Toukie Smith, Airyn shared details of his transition in an interview with Them magazine. He discussed how hormone therapy has been a pivotal part of his process, embracing his identity as a woman in both personal and public spaces.
“I think a big part of [my transition] is also the influence Black women have had on me,” Airyn said. “I think stepping into this new identity, while also being more proud of my Blackness, makes me feel closer to them in some way.”
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Breitbart.com reports: Airyn said that both Robert De Niro and Toukie Smith have been supportive since the transition began.
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“Obviously, no parent is perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight,” said Airyn. “They wanted it very private; they have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible.”
“I wasn’t brought up having a side part in one of dad’s movies or going to business meetings or attending premieres. My dad was very big on us finding our own sort of path. I would want [success] to happen on my own merit,” Airyn added.
Airyn said that beauty issues and gender roles were a common issue growing up.
“I didn’t even fit that beauty standard, which is thin, white, muscular, or just super fit, masculine. I was always told I was too much of something or not enough of something growing up: Too big, not skinny enough. Not Black enough, not white enough. Too feminine, not masculine enough. It was never just, ‘You’re just right, just the way you are,’” Airyn said.
Airyn hoped that “being visible and being seen” will help others struggling with their identity.
“There’s a difference between being visible and being seen,” said Airyn. “I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet.”
Robert De Niro is the father of seven children, including Airyn’s twin brother, Julian.
