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Telegraph
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
‘You become something unique': The A-list offspring coming out as trans
Even the keenest of celebrity watchers may not have heard of Aaron De Niro before late last month. If they have since, it will likely be by a different name, as Oscar-winner Robert De Niro's 29-year-old child says she now identifies as Airyn, a transgender woman. 'There's a difference between visible and being seen,' she told online LGBTQ+ online publication Them in April about her transition. 'I've been visible. [But] I don't think I've been seen yet.' De Niro, who has seven children in total, said he supported her decision. 'I loved and supported Aaron as my son and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter,' the A-lister said, adding: 'I don't know what the big deal is…I love all my children.' In Hollywood, at least, the news is unlikely to raise many eyebrows. Airyn is merely the latest in a long line of stars' children who have come out as trans or non-binary, including the offspring of Sting, Elon Musk, Cher, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver and Cynthia Nixon among others. The reasons for their decisions are, of course, deeply personal and complex. But some say the choices may also be linked to the particularly strange positions they inhabit as the progeny of the rich and famous. 'By becoming trans, you can break out of the predefined role you were born into and create a new space for yourself,' says Sascha Bailey, the son of legendary photographer David and his fourth wife, model Catherine. 'You become something unique and you are rewarded for it.' Sascha, 30, has experienced as much himself. Having struggled with depression and an unhappy marriage, he was on the verge of transitioning three years ago, intending to restart life as a transgender woman. But Sascha halted those plans when he fell in love again and embarked on a new relationship with a new female partner. He says the experience made him realise what he could lose – such as the chance to father a child himself – if he went ahead with taking female hormones as a prelude to eventual life-altering surgery. Sascha has written a book charting his own journey – Try to Hit the Pool: Modern Man and the Behavioural Sink, set to be published next month. In it, he explores the difficulty of growing up in the spotlight. 'I think, whatever you do in life, people are watching. If you go into the same profession as your parents, you are called a nepo baby, no matter how good you are. But if you work in Starbucks, people will take photos of you and ask, 'Why are they working in Starbucks?'' he says. 'It is [also] impossible to fully trust people as you never know what their actual motive in befriending you is,' Sascha adds. 'People will assume all sorts of things – like you have unlimited resources, because people equate fame with money. It can feel like people want to take something from you because you have something that they don't have. You are vulnerable, and it can feel hard to make real friends, to form bonds.' Charlotte Falconer, a former teacher and children's counsellor who runs counselling service LetMeListen says that coming out as trans can be a way of stepping out of the long shadow cast by a famous parent. 'The world of being a 'celebrity's child' will come with attention drawn away from them to their parents,' Falconer says. 'So, this type of gender expression may be coming from a place of need; a place that parents may not be aware of or able to meet. Creating a gender difference is often something that can't be ignored.' Others, including Sascha, say the children of stars may be afforded the space and time to reflect on their identities in a way that others are simply unable to, owing to financial and other pressures. 'When you are the child of a celebrity, you don't have much to strive for, to move towards, and this can feel like an easy way out because you are making an impact on the world. It can also mean that you have the funds to change yourself,' says Sascha. James Esses, a psychotherapist and the founder of campaigning group Just Therapy, says the children of celebrities have 'the luxury of time and money to indulge in a never-ending fixation on their self-identity', arguing the phenomenon is almost uniquely the preserve of the world's most privileged societies. 'There is a reason why swathes of children from war-torn regions or facing abject poverty are not coming out as 'trans',' he says. 'It's because they have more pressing issues to focus their time and attention on rather than their self-image and self-identity. 'And the children of celebrities, who have safety and security in abundance, they have the luxury of being able to engage in endless navel gazing.' The trend is not unique to celebrity culture, however, with up to 10,000 children across the UK thought to identify as transgender. Sarah* says her daughter came out as trans when she was 12 and quickly went from being the victim of bullies to being celebrated by her schoolmates. 'It reminded me of American high school movies where the nerdy girl gets a makeover and immediately becomes the prom queen and gets the boyfriend,' she says. Similarly, Sarah speculates that the children of famous parents may be looking to change their own standing. 'I imagine it is really hard to be the child of a celebrity and to get any attention yourself, as the parent is the focus of so much of it,' she says. Esses agrees. 'We know that 'coming out' as 'trans' is often met with celebration and positive reinforcement, and with celebrity culture, these things are on steroids,' he says. After coming out as transgender herself, Airyn De Niro posted a message on social media thanking 'everyone who's been so sweet and supportive', adding: 'I'm not used to all these eyes on me.' But the downside of positive reinforcement, some warn, is that it can make it difficult for those who have opted to transition to change their mind again and abandon doing so. That is as true for A-listers as it is for the rest of us. 'Many of the parents currently contacting us regret having affirmed their child as the opposite sex,' says a spokesperson for Bayswater, a support group for the parents of trans-identified adolescents and young people. 'What they tell us is that they thought changing a name and pronoun was harmless and never expected it to lead to requests for cross-sex hormones or surgery. Another theme we are increasingly seeing is desistance [when a child wants to revert], which is more complicated for a child whose parents have publicly taken a position on their child's identity.' Sascha says that when he announced he had changed his mind, 'the fallout was massive,' and some of his friends abandoned him. 'It is important that people should be able to change their mind – if they want to – without people attacking them,' he says. 'At first, I wasn't sure about speaking out, but then I started to get messages from parents and people who were transitioning and detransitioning saying that my story had made them reconsider things.' Ironically, his status as the child of a celebrity has given him something of a platform to try and make a difference. 'It is important for people to know there are options, whatever you want to do,' Sascha says.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Robert De Niro's 9-Word Response to His Daughter's Transition Is the Parenting Lesson We All Need
In a world where transgender youth often struggle for acceptance, Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro demonstrated what unconditional parental love looks like with his straightforward, heartfelt support for his 29-year-old daughter Airyn, who recently came out as transgender. After Airyn was essentially forced to come out following paparazzi photos published by the Daily Mail with an insensitive headline referring to her as De Niro's "nepo baby son" showing off a "shock transformation," she chose to share her story on her own terms in an interview with Them magazine. De Niro's response, shared in a statement to Variety, was refreshingly simple yet profound: "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." Related: Is Your Child Transgender? Signs, Behaviors & Parenting Tips As a mother of daughters, these words resonated deeply with me. The legendary actor's matter-of-fact acceptance cuts through the noise and controversy often surrounding transgender issues to focus on what truly matters—loving our children for who they are. All parents should pay attention; this is what parental unconditional love looks like. De Niro's "what's the big deal" attitude particularly struck a chord with parents across social media platforms, who praised his straightforward support. Comments celebrated his approach as a model of good parenting, emphasizing that while parents don't have to understand everything their children do, unconditional love and support should remain constant. For Airyn, this family acceptance has been crucial. In her interview with Them, she revealed that growing up with contradictory messages about her identity—"too big, not skinny enough. Not Black enough, not white enough. Too feminine, not masculine enough"—was challenging. However, her family's support helped her navigate these difficulties. Related: Raising a Transgender Child: Things I Learned to Help My Child Transition Though De Niro has long been known for his outspoken progressive stances on social issues, his unequivocal support for Airyn comes at a particularly significant time. With transgender rights under intense political scrutiny and legislative challenges in many states, celebrity parents supporting trans children can help normalize acceptance in the broader culture. Airyn, who has begun hormone therapy as part of her transition, expressed hope that her visibility might inspire others: "I'd want to hopefully be an inspiration for at least one other person like me who is Black, who is queer, who's not a size extra small," she told Them magazine. Her focus on mental health advocacy for people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals highlights how parental support can empower transgender individuals to channel their experiences into helping others facing similar challenges. Related: Trans Daughter Records What It Sounds Like When a Conservative Mom Loves Her 'Anyway' While De Niro's supportive stance may not seem revolutionary to some, it remains noteworthy in a climate where many transgender youth face rejection from family members. According to research from the Trevor Project, transgender and nonbinary youth who report having their pronouns respected by all or most people in their lives attempted suicide at half the rate of those who did not have their pronouns respected. For parents navigating a child's gender identity journey, De Niro's example offers a simple template: love, accept, support. As he so eloquently demonstrated, sometimes the most powerful parenting moments don't require lengthy explanations or qualifications—just unconditional love expressed without hesitation. In a time when complex discussions about gender identity can leave parents feeling uncertain about how to respond, De Niro's straightforward acceptance serves as a reminder that at its core, good parenting often comes down to one simple principle: love your children for who they truly are. Up Next: Related: Trans Dad Shares Why Daughter Supported His Transition
The Star
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Robert De Niro expresses support for transgender daughter Airyn
'I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter, Robert De Niro said, referring the latter's former and current name. Photos: Airyn De Niro/Instagram, TNS Robert De Niro has nothing but love and support for his daughter Airyn De Niro, who recently came out as transgender woman and opened up about 'stepping into [her] new identity.' Airyn, the actor's daughter with his former partner Toukie Smith, spoke about her identity in an interview with Them magazine, saying she has always been visible but not yet seen. Airyn also disclosed that while she has been 'femme-presenting since middle school,' she only began hormone therapy in November 2024. 'Trans women being honest and open, especially [in] public spaces like social media and getting to see them in their success… I'm like, you know what? Maybe it's not too late for me,' she said, recalling her internal process prior to transitioning. 'I think a big part of [my transition] is also the influence Black women have had on me,' she continued. 'I think stepping into this new identity, while also being more proud of my Blackness, makes me feel closer to them in some way.' During the interview, Airyn also spoke about her parents and her upbringing which she's grateful for. 'Obviously no parent is perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight,' she was quoted as saying. 'They have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible.' Robert then expressed his love for Airyn in a statement obtained by Variety . 'I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter,' he said, referring the latter's former and current name. 'I don't know what the big deal is,' the Godfather star added. 'I love all my children.' Aside from Airyn, Robert has six more children from his current and three previous relationships —Airyn's twin brother Julian, Drena, Raphael, Elliot, Helen Grace, and Gia whom the 81-year-old actor welcomed in 2023. – Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network
Business Mayor
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Mayor
Robert De Niro supports daughter who comes out as trans: ‘I love all my children'
Robert De Niro is expressing 'love and support' for his daughter Airyn De Niro after she recently came out as transgender. '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,' Robert De Niro, 81, told Variety in a statement. 'I love all my children.' In a recent interview with Them, Airyn, 29, spoke about 'stepping into this new identity' and shared details about growing up as one of seven children in the De Niro household. 'There's a difference between being visible and being seen,' Airyn told the outlet. 'I've been visible. I don't think I've been seen yet.' Airyn said that 'no parent is perfect, but 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.' Story continues below advertisement She also spoke candidly about feeling like a 'late bloomer.' '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,' she explained. 'It was never just, 'You're just right, just the way you are.'' She revealed that she decided to begin hormone therapy last November. Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. 'I'd want to hopefully be an inspiration for at least one other person like me who is Black, who is queer, who's not a size extra small,' Airyn said. 'I'd want to see more trans women, more Black women who are maybe bigger-bodied or don't fit the mold of super thin or heroin chic.' Airyn also discussed the people she's looked up to when deciding to go public with her transition, including Orange Is The New Black star Laverne Cox. 'Trans women being honest and open, especially (in) public spaces like social media and getting to see them in their success,' Airyn said. 'I'm like, 'You know what? Maybe it's not too late for me.'' After reading Airyn's interview, Cox took to Instagram to share a video dedicated to her. 'I just want to take a moment and give a special shout-out to Airyn De Niro. Hi Airyn, I just read that I'm one of the women who've inspired you over the years and I'm deeply, deeply honoured that I can be an inspiration for you,' Cox said. 'I often have moments — particularly in these deeply troubling times — moments of feeling like I'm not doing enough, that I should be doing more. And I always have to remind myself that if I can touch one person's life, if I can inspire someone, one person, to be more themselves, to live authentically, to embrace every single aspect of who they are, then that is enough. 'Reading that from you, Airyn, was a reminder that I have enough, I am enough and I do enough. I want to congratulate you on embracing the beauty that you are. And I'm not talking about the outside, I'm talking about the beauty that is being trans.' Trending Now Story continues below advertisement After Airyn's interview was published, she took to Instagram to thank everyone for all the support she's received. 'Thank you to everyone who's been so sweet and supportive! I'm not used to all these eyes on me,' she wrote. 'Also for the folks asking if I have representation or signed to anyone, I am literally just a girl with a phone, so sorry if I miss your messages!' A screenshot of Airyn De Niro's Instagram post. @VoiceOfAiryn / Instagram Airyn's mother is actor Toukie Smith, who shares Airyn and her twin brother Julian, 29, with De Niro. Story continues below advertisement The Killers of the Flower Moon actor is also the father of daughter Drena, 53, and son Raphael, 48, whom he shares with ex-wife Diahnne Abbott, to whom he was married from 1976 to 1988. He is also father to son Elliot, 27, and daughter Helen Grace, 13, whom he shares with ex-wife Grace Hightower. He welcomed his two-year-old daughter Gia with girlfriend Tiffany Chen in April 2023. Curator Recommendations © 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Metro
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Robert De Niro gets special message from daughter after she comes out as trans
Robert De Niro's daughter has thanked him for being so accepting after she came out as trans. Earlier this week, Airyn De Niro publicly came out as a trans woman in an interview with Them, revealing she began hormone therapy in November 2024. The Goodfellas actor – who shares the 29-year-old with model Toukie Smith – later offered a heartwarming message, insisting he that he has always loved and supported her. In a new video social media, Airyn took a moment to shout out those who had reached out after the chat made headlines around the world. 'I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who sent me all their love and support. Friends, family, strangers, old peers from school, thank you for reaching out, it means a lot,' she began, before thanking interviewer Ava Pauline Emilione and Laverne Cox by name. 'I also want to say thank you to my mom and dad for supporting me, and accepting me, and always being there when I need them. 'I could not have asked for better parents. So thank you.' Airyn also revealed she had been approached to follow in her famous father's footsteps, with offers of movie roles as well as fashion shows 'I know, I definitely recognize I come from a place of privilege, given the environment I live in and who my family is,' she continued. 'I don't feel I'm as deserving of those opportunities – or even as much praise as I'm getting. 'While I recognize coming out is an act of bravery, especially given the current climate of things, there are folks who have it much harder than I do.' Airyn ended the six-minute clip by urging: 'To the folks who support, and to those who don't support me, I ask that we try to be mindful of other people's circumstances, especially if we don't know them. 'Approach others who think differently than you, or have other views or beliefs than you on anything, try to approach it with more curiosity and give others grace. 'That's something I think we need more of. The world is heavily lacking empathy so I just thought that was important to say.' Robert and Toukie welcomed Airyn and her twin brother Julian in October 1995. The budding actress has been 'femme-presenting since middle school', and initially came out as a gay man in high school, before deciding on hormone therapy at the end of last year. Speaking to Them, she explained that she was inspired by seeing others being 'honest and open, especially [in] public spaces like social media and getting to see them in their success'. It was this that made her realize that 'maybe it's not too late for me'. More Trending 'There's a difference between being visible and being seen,' she said. 'I've been visible. I don't think I've been seen yet.' Robert, who has fathered five other children over the years, later told Variety in a statement: '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,' he added. 'I love all my children.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Frasier star Kelsey Grammer recalls sister's harrowing death after she was stabbed 42 times MORE: Robbie Williams shares rare kiss with wife Ayda Williams after sexless marriage confession MORE: I Kissed A Girl singer Jill Sobule dies age 66 in house fire
