LOS ANGELES, CA — Airyn De Niro, daughter of actor Robert De Niro, has publicly come out as a transgender woman in a new interview, revealing that her transition was influenced by Disney’s 2023 live-action remake of The Little Mermaid and the cultural presence of Black women in her life.
NEW: Robert De Niro's child comes out as a trans woman, says they were motivated by Disney's 2023 live-action "The Little Mermaid" movie.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 29, 2025
Wow.
In an interview with 'Them,' Airyn De Niro, who was born Aaron, says black women influenced the transition.
"I think a big part of [my… pic.twitter.com/bv2Bklz02m
Speaking to Them, Airyn — who was previously known as Aaron — said that seeing actress Halle Bailey portray Ariel was a pivotal moment in her personal journey. According to the outlet, Bailey’s hairstyle in the film was a defining visual that helped Airyn begin to express herself more openly.
Key Points
- Airyn De Niro, formerly Aaron, has come out as a trans woman.
- She credits Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Black women as major influences.
- “There’s a difference between being visible and being seen,” she said.
“I think a big part of [my transition] is also the influence Black women have had on me,” Airyn said. “I think stepping into this new identity, while also being more proud of my blackness, makes me feel closer to them in some way.”
De Niro’s statement comes at a time of increasing representation of trans and gender-diverse individuals in media, particularly in youth-targeted entertainment. Halle Bailey’s casting as Ariel was a flashpoint in cultural discourse in 2023, celebrated for its racial diversity and criticized by some conservative audiences.
Airyn also discussed the emotional difference between being out in public and feeling fully understood. “There’s a difference between being visible and being seen. I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet,” she said in the interview.
Representation in media and gender identity
The announcement adds to a growing number of high-profile children of celebrities openly sharing their gender identity and life experiences. It also highlights how pop culture influences can impact personal identity development, especially for individuals exploring intersections of race, gender, and visibility.
Robert De Niro has not commented publicly on Airyn’s statement as of Tuesday.