Legendary Hollywood actor Robert De Niro has issued a statement of support for his daughter Airyn De Niro, who spoke publicly about her transition for the first time in an interview with Them.
In comments sent to multiple entertainment and celebrity outlets, including People magazine, the Goodfellas star expressed his ongoing support for Airyn after coming out, saying, “I love and support Airyn as my daughter. I don’t know what the big deal is… I love all my children.”
Instagram content
In an exclusive interview with Them contributor Ava Pauline Emilione published Wednesday, Airyn spoke candidly about surviving tabloid scrutiny after being photographed by paparazzi in March — and about her decision to tell her story on her own terms for the first time.
“There’s a difference between being visible and being seen,” Airyn, an aspiring model and actress, told Them. “I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet.”
It has been described by the model herself as “a love letter to our global trans community”.
Of her relationship with her famous father, Airyn said, “Obviously no parent is perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight. They wanted it very private. They have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible.”
Airyn is the child of Robert De Niro and actress Toukie Smith, whom Airyn cites as an exemplar for her own vision of womanhood: “The way [my mom] would conduct or hold herself, the way that I saw her interact with others in public when I was younger, I see myself emulating that in some way,” Airyn told Them.
Instagram content
In the hours after her conversation with Emilione was published, Airyn was greeted with an outpouring of support online, including from another one of the role models she cited: Laverne Cox. “I just read that I'm one of the women who’ve inspired you over the years and I'm deeply, deeply honored that I can be an inspiration for you,” the Orange is the New Black star said in a moving Instagram message directed to Airyn.
Instagram content
Airyn reposted the video from Cox to her Instagram on Tuesday evening along with a message of gratitude for all the love she has received: “Thank you to everyone who’s been so sweet and supportive! I’m not used to all these eyes one me,” she wrote, describing herself endearingly as “just a girl with a phone.”
This article originally appeared on THEM.
The Bridgerton star has also set up a fundraiser and will match donations up to £10,000.
