Hari Nef's Parents Divorced When She Was a Child – Her Mother Always Supports Her as a Transgender

Hari Nef's father remains relatively unknown, but the rising star shares a loving bond with her mother, Robin Clebnik. As one of the few openly transgender celebrities in the entertainment industry, her career shows great promise.

In May 2023, Sam Levinson's "The Idol" debuted on screens worldwide, and much like the filmmaker's show, "Euphoria," the gritty series garnered mixed reviews for pushing the bounds of cinema.

"The Idol," which follows the story of a determined singer (Jocelyn) willing to meet any ends to be the sexiest pop star in America, featured a star-studded cast, among whom was openly transgender actress Hari Nef.

Nef played Vanity Fair writer Talia. Her co-stars included Lily-Rose Depp, Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, Jennie Kim, Suzanna Son, and Troye Sivan. Before "The Idol," the actress already had her breakout role, portraying Gittel, a transgender character, in Amazon Prime's "Transparent."

Still, there's much more to her story than her career. Nef underwent several evolutions growing up before eventually discovering her true identity. It was a challenging journey that sometimes strained her relationship with her mom; however, it is safe to say the two have never been closer.

Hari Nef's Mother Is Her Favorite Person

In April 2022, Nef and her mother, Robin Clebnik, participated in Victoria's Secret Mother's Day campaign. The two posed for stunning photos that exuded the warmth of their relationship. Alongside a few of them, the actress shared a sweet anecdote about her mother.

"It was my mother who marched me straight vicky see's for my first bra—'it's time!!' she said. and it has been quite a time! mom, you're all of it: fierce and goofy and sharp and kind and smart, and nobody's hair looks better than your hair," the model gushed.

Hari Nef's Colorful Upbringing

Nef had an eventful upbringing. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but after her parents divorced when she was two, she and her mom moved to Newton. As a youngster, she spent much of her time playing video games.

But as she entered adolescence, she began experimenting with her looks and identity, trying new hair colors and styles. "I was a new person every week," she recalled. She was also prone to starting and spreading rumors about herself.

At one point, she lied about smoking at a Bar Mitzvah, and when her parents heard, she was grounded for two months. Despite the other shenanigans Nef pulled, Clebnik didn't suppress her self-expression.

As a ninth grader, the actress told her mom she wanted to announce she was gay on Facebook. Clebnik was supportive, though not without a bit of hesitation. Then at 14, her daughter started dating and experimenting with boys.

Hari Nef's Relationship with Her Mother Wasn't Always Smooth

Nef had always been effeminate, and it appears Clebnik had no objections, but their relationship wasn't always smooth. The two fought quite often; the actress was admittedly arrogant, irritable, and entitled and saw Clebnik as a "tyrant."

"We were both right," she remarked. But their friction eased when Nef started transitioning, and its source became clear. "I was dysphoric for my whole high-school career, and I didn't realize it," she recalled. Her relationship with Clebnik has since flourished.