Robert De Niro’s 29-year-old child has come out as a transgender woman, and says she was motivated by Disney’s 2023 live-action “The Little Mermaid” movie.

In an interview with ‘Them,’ Airyn De Niro, former known as Aaron De Niro, says black women were also a big inspiration for her to transition.

“I think a big part of [my transition] is also the influence Black women have had on me. I think stepping into this new identity, while also being more proud of my blackness, makes me feel closer to them in some way.”

According to the outlet, Halle Bailey’s hair in The Little Mermaid marked a “turning point in her journey toward liberatory gender expression.”

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

She went on to reveal that she decided to begin hormone therapy last November and credited the openness and confidence of other trans women as what made her realise that it was “not too late”, even at the age of 29.

“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. Maybe I can start.”

And so, Robert De Niro joins a long list of celebrities who happen to have transgender children. Cher, Sade, Charlize Theron, Jamie Less Curtis, Marlon Wayans, Warren Beatty, Chester Bennington and more, all have kids who have come out as transgender in the last few years.

Robert De Niro obviously seems like a very liberal guy so I’m sure he’s got no issue with it, and it’s great that Airyn De Niro finally feels comfortable enough to live life the way she sees fit. Not sure there’s many 81-year-old Italian-American dads who would be cool with their son transitioning into a woman at 29, so Airyn has definitely caught some life there.

If De Niro himself decided to come out as trans though? I’m not sure I could handle it. I guess we can give his 2-year-old a 50/50 shot at this point.