Breaking Free: Airyn De Niro’s Journey to Self-Discovery and Trans Visibility
In a quiet corner of a Williamsburg café, Airyn De Niro sat down to discuss her journey towards liberatory gender expression, navigating the entertainment industry, and the media attention that comes with being Robert De Niro’s daughter. The 29-year-old, an aspiring model and voice actor studying to be a mental health counselor, opened up about her experiences in a candid interview with Them, a publication known for shedding light on underrepresented communities.
Airyn’s story begins with a visit to Annette Roche’s beloved New York City salon, where she received her first locs. The rhythm of the stylist’s deft fingers working through her curls – "Wash, comb, retwist. Wash, comb, retwist" – marked a turning point in her journey towards self-discovery. As she left the salon, she caught a glimpse of her reflection and did not look away, embracing her new look. According to Them, Airyn’s decision to get locs was inspired by Halle Bailey’s locs in The Little Mermaid.
For Airyn, her hair is a symbol of her journey towards self-expression and beauty. As Them notes, Black women have participated in hair braiding traditions since at least 3500 B.C., and the salon provides a safe space for them to protect their hair, continue intergenerational beauty rituals, and define their sense of style and self-expression. Airyn’s experience is no exception, as she finds solace in the sacred cocoon of the salon, away from the scrutiny she faces in her daily life.
However, Airyn’s newfound self-expression was met with scrutiny from the media. In the weeks following her visit to the loctician, paparazzi snapped a photo of Airyn visiting her dad at the Greenwich Hotel. The tabloids quickly reported on her "new look" with sensationalized headlines, including the Daily Mail‘s article on March 19, which dubbed her a "nepo baby" and described her outfit as "edgy, rebellious." As Them reports, Airyn was not given the opportunity to come out to the public on her own terms, with the media attention surrounding her transition coming as a shock to her.
In an interview with Them, Airyn shared her thoughts on the media’s portrayal of her, stating, "There’s a difference between being visible and being seen. I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet." She also expressed her frustration with the inaccuracies in the reporting, saying, "Not only did they get information wrong about me… They just sort of reminded me that people really don’t know anything about me."
Airyn’s story highlights the challenges faced by individuals in the public eye, particularly those from underrepresented communities. As Them notes, Airyn is taking steps towards self-discovery and empowerment, embracing her identity and finding her voice. Her journey serves as a reminder of the importance of self-expression and the need for respectful and accurate reporting.
As Airyn navigates the entertainment industry and media attention, she remains committed to being true to herself. With her characteristic openness and generosity, she shared her story with Them, providing a platform for her voice to be heard. Her interview with Them serves as a testament to the power of self-expression and the importance of sharing underrepresented stories.
In a society where visibility and self-expression are often policed, Airyn De Niro’s story serves as a beacon of hope. As reported by Them, her journey towards self-discovery and trans visibility is a powerful reminder of the importance of embracing one’s identity and finding one’s voice. With her pink locs and confident stride, Airyn De Niro is breaking free from the constraints of societal expectations, forging her own path towards self-expression and empowerment.
