Airyn, the daughter of Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro and Toukie Smith, has publicly come out as a transgender woman. In a candid interview with 'Them', the 29-year-old model and aspiring mental health counsellor opened up about identity, visibility, and the importance of being seen for who she truly is.

“There’s a difference between being visible and being seen. I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet,” Airyn said, reflecting on her journey and the recent public attention following her appearance at an event, which she says was inaccurately reported by some media outlets.

Airyn is one of De Niro’s seven children and shares a close bond with her twin brother Julian. Despite her famous lineage, she pushed back against the “nepo baby” label, clarifying that she didn’t grow up in the spotlight. “My dad was very big on us finding our own sort of path... I would want [success] to happen on my own merit.”

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Raised largely out of the public eye, Airyn credits her parents for shielding her from fame during childhood and supporting her individuality. Still, she admits struggling with body image and identity. “I was always told I was too much of something or not enough of something… It was never just, ‘You’re just right,’” she said.

She began hormone therapy in November and cited the strength of her mother and other Black women as guiding forces. “I want to inspire at least one other person like me—Black, queer, not a size extra small.”

Now studying to become a mental health counsellor, Airyn hopes to advocate for communities that often lack support. “People of colour and queer people definitely need more mental health advocacy and support. I’m hoping I can help do that.”

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