Robert De Niro supports daughter Airyn as she comes out as trans: ‘I don’t know what the big deal is’

Robert De Niro has expressed support for his daughter Airyn after she came out as transgender.

In a statement to Deadline, De Niro said: “I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter. I don’t know what the big deal is … I love all my children.”

De Niro’s statement follows an interview Airyn gave to online LGBTQ+ magazine Them, in which she described the process of her transition and said: “There’s a difference between being visible and being seen. I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet.”

Saying “no parent is perfect”, Airyn thanked De Niro and her mother, model Toukie Smith, adding: “I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight. They have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible.”

After Them’s interview was published, Airyn responded on social media, saying: “Thank you to everyone who’s been so sweet and supportive! I’m not used to all these eyes on me.”