Robert De Niro has thrown his support behind his transgender daughter saying: “I love all my children”.

Airyn De Niro, 29, who was born Aaron, spoke out about undergoing hormone therapy and “stepping into this new identity” in a recent interview with Them, the LGBTQ magazine.

De Niro, 81, responded to Airyn’s decision to transition by issuing a message of support.

“I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter,” he told Variety magazine.

“I don’t know what the big deal is,” he added. “I love all my children.”

‘Difference between being visible and seen’

Airyn said the transition was inspired by watching the 2023 re-make of The Little Mermaid.

“There’s a difference between being visible and being seen,” Airyn said. “I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet.”

Laverne Cox, the transgender actress, was also an inspiration. “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,” Airyn said.

“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, whose mother is actress Toukie Smith, said they were a “late bloomer” who had never fit in with those around.

“I was always told I was too much of something or not enough of something growing up: too big, not skinny enough,” Airyn said. “Not black enough, not white enough. Too feminine, not masculine enough. It was never just, ‘You’re just right, just the way you are.’”