Who Is Dwyane Wade's Daughter, Zaya Wade? Basketball Star Shares Pride For His Transgender Teen
This dad couldn't be more proud of his daughter.
Dwyane Wade couldn't be more proud of his daughter, Zaya Wade, and it's pretty clear he wants the world to know.
Earlier this week, Wade came out in support of his trans teeagern, sharing the love their family feels for her.
But who is Dwyane Wade's daughter, Zaya? Here's everything we know so far.
1. Wade opened up about Zaya on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
During an appearance on the show this week, Wade shared the story of how Zaya came out to him and wife Gabrielle Union (Zaya's mom is Wade's previous partner, Siohvaughn Funches).
"We are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community and we're proud allies as well," he said on the show. "Zion, born as a boy, came home and said, ‘Hey, so I want to talk to you guys. I think going forward I am ready to live my truth. I want to be referenced as ‘she' and ‘her.' I would love for you guys to call me Zaya.'"
2. Wade also shared how he and Union have learned about this time in Zaya's life.
Wade explained that he and Union have reached out to the cast of Pose to learn more about the experience of being trans, and said that he and Union are trying to be her voice for now, since she's only 12 years old. It makes sense, since Pose is all about black and Latinx LGBTQ ballroom scene in the late '80s, and the cast includes trans actors as well.
"My wife reached out to everybody on the cast of Pose," Wade said. "We're just trying to figure out as much information as we can to make sure that we give our child the best opportunity to be her best self."
3. But who is Dwayne Wade's daughter, Zaya? Union introduced Zaya to the world on Instagram.
Union took to Instagram to share a video of Zaya, where she opened up about her coming out experience and what she would say to other trans teens out there — as well as the importance of being herself.
"Meet Zaya," Union wrote. "She's compassionate, loving, whip0smart and we are so proud of her. It’s Ok to listen to, love & respect your children exactly as they are. Love and light good people."
4. Her brother, Zaire, also shared how proud he is of her.
In his own Instagram post, Zaire shared a photo of him and Zaya as children, writing that although he wanted a brother as a child, his love for his sibling has never changed.
"I have been blessed to have my best friend, Zaya with me for 12 years. We did everything together ... we fought, we played, we laughed and we cried. But the one thing we never did was leave each other behind," Zaire wrote. "I’ve told you that I would lay my life down to make sure you are ten toes down and happy on this earth. I don’t care what they think Z, you are my best friend and I love you kid, and if it means anything, just know there’s no love lost on this side."
5. Wade and Union also have other children.
Before he was married to Union, Wade had three children, including Zaya, 18-year-old Zaire, and 6-year-old Xavier. In 2018, Wade and Union welcomed their first child, Kaavia, into the world via surrogate after struggling with infertility and multiple miscarriages.
6. Celebrities have been sharing their support for Zaya, too.
Many stars have commented on Union's Instagram post, sharing their words for Zaya. So far, it seems like she's receiving so much support outside of her family already.
"Hello Zaya! I feel lucky to meet you!" Mindy Kaling wrote, while Jessica Alba added, "Her brain and spirit is on another level — we should all rise to that consciousness."
Nicole Pomarico is an entertainment and lifestyle writer whose work has appeared in Cosmo, Us Weekly, Refinery29, and more.