Robert De Niro 's daughter Airyn has come out as transgender. In an interview with Them published Tuesday, April 29, about “stepping into this new identity,” as Airyn said, the aspiring actress and model shared revealing details about her life as one of Robert’s seven kids. Her mother, actress Toukie Smith , shares Airyn and twin brother Julian with the 81-year-old Oscar winner.
“There’s a difference between being visible and being seen,” Airyn, 29, told Them contributor Ava Pauline Emilione. “I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet.
” Related: Robert De Niro's 7 Children: Everything to Know After The Daily Mail and other outlets reported on a recent appearance of hers and got “information wrong,” Airyn explained, “They just sort of reminded me that people really don’t know anything about me.” Addressing those outlets labeling her a “nepo baby” due to her father, she said, “I wasn’t brought up having a side part in one of dad’s movies or going to business meetings or attending premieres. My dad was very big on us finding our own sort of path.
.. I would want [success] to happen on my own merit.
” “Obviously, no parent is perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight," she said of Robert and Smith. "They have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible.” Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of.
