Month: May 2025

Robert De Niro shared powerful words of “love and support” for his daughter, Airyn, after she came out as transgender during an interview with Them published on April 29.

During the sit down, Airyn De Niro talked about growing up as one of De Niro’s seven children, whom he shares with ex-wife Grace Hightower, and how that upbringing has guided her as she “step[s] into this new identity.” “There’s a difference between being visible and being seen,” Airyn clarified. “I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet.”

Airyn continued: “No parent is perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight. They have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible.”

Related: Florence Pugh Blasts ‘Mental’ Beauty Expectations for Female Actors

Following the publication of Airyn’s interview, her father issued a statement to several outlets (including Variety) voicing his unequivocal support. “I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter,” the Oscar-winning actor said. “I don’t know what the big deal is,” De Niro added. “I love all my children.”

Airyn said she was inspired to come out after seeing actors such as Laverne Cox go on to achieve success after doing the same. She was inspired by “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.

After the interview was published, she took to Instagram to thank her legion of supporters. “Thank you to everyone who’s been so sweet and supportive! I’m not used to all these eyes on me,” she wrote. “Also for the folks asking if I have representation or signed to anyone, I am literally just a girl with a phone, so sorry if I miss your messages!”

Thunderbolts* star Florence Pugh didn’t mince words in a new interview with Who What Wear when asked about unfair expectations on actors who are expected to be model-perfect on the red carpet runway.

Pugh was asked by the outlet how it feels to have started her career at the point where she was allowed to build credits without the pressure of social media. Now, it’s hard for many actors — even established ones such as Pugh — to get auditions for big Hollywood projects if they don’t have a certain number of followers on social media.

“It’s so s–t,” Pugh said without missing a beat. “It’s not the same thing. It’s not the same thing at all. I had this conversation recently with a friend…It’s just mental that red carpets are even an [expectation] of someone that is not [a model]…That’s not even their job,” she continued.

“They don’t model. They are good at being on a camera that is this close with that face, and they know how to show how raw their soul is on the flick of a switch,” Pugh reasoned. “That’s their talent. Their talent isn’t anything beyond that. I mean, it might be, but that’s what they’re getting paid to do, and that’s what we recognize them for. And you’re supposed to be able to be like a runway model, and you’re compared against runway models.”

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Pugh explained that it was initially difficult for her to advocate for herself in those situations, but with practice she’s become more adept at speaking her mind. “Once you do, you know, shoot after shoot after shoot, you get better, and you get more confidence,” she said. “You see the pictures, and you see the work, and you’re like, ‘Okay, that looks great. I’m going to now make sure that I know how to argue when a certain piece of clothing isn’t working.’”

Pugh concluded: “If I’m disappointed about how something turned out or looked or if someone’s saying something nasty about the dress that I was wearing or if I was a bit too heavy for the dress or a bit too this or that or whatever s–t someone wanted to say to me, I have to be like, ‘Babe, this is not even why you’re [here]…This is not your job.’”

Thunderbolts* is currently in cinemas. You can check out a trailer below.

An MLB fan is in critical condition after falling 21 feet from the bleachers during Wednesday night’s game between the Pirates and the Cubs at PNC Park, The Associated Press reported.

The incident occurred in the game’s seventh inning just after Andrew McCutchen hit a double. The unidentified fan, who was sitting in the first row of the bleachers, suddenly lurched forward and tumbled 21 feet down the stadium before landing on the field. Another fan rushed down to help the fallen man as he slumped to the ground. The startling moment was captured in a disturbing video taken at the scene.

Stadium medics and security personnel arrived at the man’s side and provided aid for up to five minutes, it was reported. As the frightening scene unfolded, players took to their knees and began praying.

“Tonight, during the seventh inning of the game at PNC Park, an adult male fell from the right field bleachers onto the field of play,” the Pirates later confirmed on X. “Pittsburgh EMS, as well as the Pirates and Cubs athletic training teams and other PNC Park personnel, reacted and responded immediately and administered care. He was transported to Allegheny General Hospital. No further information is available at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.”

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Following the game, in which the Pirates prevailed over the Cubs 4–3, Pirates manager Derek Shelton told reporters that the medical emergency stunned himself and Cubs manager Craig Counsell. “Even though it’s 350 feet away or whatever it is…the fact of how it went down and then laying motionless while the play is going on,” Shelton said. “I mean Craig saw it, I saw it. We both got out there. I think the umpires saw it because of the way it kicked. It’s extremely unfortunate. That’s an understatement.”

The identity of the injured man has not been released. His condition at this time is unknown. Requests for comment sent to the Pirates and to Allegheny General Hospital were not immediately fulfilled.