A Special Surprise for Gia: Ms. Rachel Channels Robert De Niro’s Iconic Role
Robert De Niro’s youngest daughter, Gia, got an unexpected surprise when Ms. Rachel, the popular children’s YouTube star, recorded a special video just for her — and it included a playful homage to one of De Niro’s most iconic roles, Taxi Driver.
During a segment on The Drew Barrymore Show, Barrymore was eager to learn more about the bond between De Niro and the YouTube sensation, whose real name is Rachel Accurso. De Niro, 81, revealed that Ms. Rachel became a fixture in their household thanks to his 23-month-old daughter. “If there’s ever a problem with the baby, and there’s a lot of unhappiness, we just put on Ms. Rachel, and it immediately goes away,” he joked, showcasing how important the YouTuber is to their routine.
In response, Barrymore arranged for Ms. Rachel to create a personalized video for Gia. The highlight of the message? A playful reference to De Niro’s famous Taxi Driver scene. “Hi Gia, it’s Ms. Rachel. What’s that? It’s a taxi,” the YouTuber said while holding up a toy taxi. Then, mimicking De Niro’s legendary line from the 1976 film, she added, “What does a taxi driver say? ‘Are you talking to me?’”
For fans of the movie, this moment was a delightful crossover. In Taxi Driver, De Niro’s character, Travis Bickle, famously confronts his reflection in a mirror, asking, “You talkin’ to me?” This line has become one of the most quoted in film history, symbolizing both De Niro’s career and the movie’s portrayal of Bickle’s troubled mental state.
The clip resonated with De Niro, who later questioned Barrymore, “Is this live?” eagerly hoping that Gia would be able to see it. While Barrymore mused on how the toddler might react, De Niro humbly responded, “I don’t know what her reaction will be, but it’s nice to show it to her.”
De Niro’s Parenting Journey: Finding Joy in Everyday Moments
Gia is De Niro’s youngest child, whom he shares with partner Tiffany Chen. The actor, who has seven children in total, has spoken openly about the joys of fatherhood, particularly how he starts his mornings by watching Ms. Rachel with Gia and helping her with her bottle.
De Niro’s love for his children is well-known, and in previous interviews, he has shared how he finds joy in the small, everyday moments of parenting. Despite his busy career, he takes pride in the routine he shares with his children, especially with Gia, who has quickly become the apple of his eye.
This heartwarming moment between Ms. Rachel and Gia serves as a reminder of how celebrities, like anyone else, treasure the bond they have with their children, and how even a beloved pop culture icon can make parenting moments even more special.