Robert De Niro Declares 'Love and Support' for Trans Daughter

Robert De Niro laid it out in terms that are easy to understand, saying he loved his trans daughter before she came out, and he loves her now.

"I loved and supported... my son," De Niro stated to Deadline, "and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter."

"I don't know what the big deal is . . . I love all my children," the 81-year-old "Goodfellas" star said plainly.

"In a powerful interview with Them, Airyn shared details about growing up as one of the two-time Oscar winner's seven children," Deadline relayed. "Airyn's mother is actress Toukie Smith and [she] has a twin brother named Julian."

Now an aspiring model and actress, Airyn declared herself to be "grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight" while she was growing up. "They have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible."

And now De Niro is continuing that by refusing to make Airyn's embrace of her authentic self into something weird.

CNN reported that Airyn explained how what she heard from society at large impacted her despite her parents' efforts, saying that "she struggled with cultural messages that made her feel she was '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 added: "Trans women being honest and open, especially [in] public spaces like social media and getting to see them in their success," CNN relayed.

Airyn, 29, described herself as a late bloomer, but said her attitude was, "Maybe it's not too late for me."

And maybe she can make a difference.

"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 told Them. "I want queer people of color and bigger-bodied people to have an Alex Consani. I want queer people of color and bigger-bodied people to have a Hunter Schafer."

Airyn shared word of the interview, along with photos published by Them, on Instagram. Positive words weren't just forthcoming from her "Godfather Part II"-starring dad; fans and admirers left their own supportive messages.

"Beautiful inside and out! 😍🔥" one person commented.

Posted another: "Congratulations!!! Share that visibility!"

Wrote a third: "Knockout perfect. 😍 Love this (and you)!!! ❤️‍🔥🫶🏾❤️‍🔥," while another added: "It's never too late to share. Visibility is important, but unfortunately also comes with so much hate. You'll find however that our community is a strong and resilient one."

Declared trans Canadian blogger Hannah Kamphof, "Amazing, thank you for showing the world who you are with your own voice! Our world needs so much more of this from our diverse community."

"Congrats on finding your truth and sharing it with everyone," added trans rights activist and attorney Alejandra Caraballo, "so happy for you!"

"Stand in Your Power and Light Solidly in All That You Are 🙌🏽," wrote actor Amy Argyle. "Take up Space Sis!"

Congratulations, Airyn!