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Orgo-Life the new way to the future Advertising by AdpathwayDwyane Wade’s Daughter Details Being Trans and Her “Teddy Bear” Dad
Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union are putting the full court press on anyone dating their daughter.
Zaya Wade admitted that her famous parents have two different approaches when it comes to helping her navigate relationships.
“They’re really cool about it,” the 17-year-old told Seventeen in an interview published Feb. 24. “Me and my stepmom love to dish the dirt and tap into the high school gossip. She gets excited for me when I’m like, ‘Oh, I like this person.’”
As for Dwyane—who in addition to sharing Zaya and Zaire, 23, with ex Siovaughn Funches, is also dad to nephew Dahveon, 21, son Xavier, 11, from a previous relationship, and his and Gabrielle's daughter Kaavia, 6—he still goes into protective mode when meeting one of Zaya’s dates. But he isn’t fooling anyone.
“Although, my dad…he tries to scare any person I have interest in,” she said. “He’s kind of intimidating. The people I’ve dated have all been afraid of him in the first interaction. He’s gigantic and he has this deep, booming voice. But the facade only lasts for so long and you actually see his real personality. He’s a teddy bear.”
As for her outlook on dating, Zaya isn’t quite so focused on locking a romance down just yet.
“I could lie and say we’re just trying to get into college, but we’re high school girls,” she quipped. “’Dating’ is an aggressive term though. In Gen Z, situationships are king. In no way are we opposed to a relationship, but sometimes there’s comfort in not being so locked in. At the end of day, I have to focus on me.”
Dwyane’s support for Zaya translates beyond dating and into other aspects of her life as a trans woman, as he serves as one of her biggest public advocates.
Olivia Wong/WireImage
“As an African American male, to be so openly and outwardly accepting,” she gushed about her dad. “Because honestly, him being raised in a traditional Black household in Chicago…the culture there isn’t very queer-friendly.”
She added, “I hope that it will continue to inspire people to allow themselves to learn and understand queerness before bashing it.”
Keep reading for more moments from Dwyane’s life with his family…
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
All in the Family
Dwyane Wade celebrated the final game in his NBA career with Gabrielle Union and their daughter Kaavia Wade in 2019. The Miami Heats player was also joined by his nephew Dahveon Morris, his kids Zaire Wade and Zaya Wade (with ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches) and son Xavier Wade (with ex Aja Metoyer) for the momentous occasion.
Instagram/Gabrielle Union
Perfect Match
Gabrielle and Dwyane proved they go together like peanut butter and jelly on Halloween 2023. Meanwhile, their daughter Kaavia dressed up as Cinderella.
Instagram/Gabrielle Union
Bring On the Silly
The Bring It On actress snapped silly selfies with Kaavia on Mother's Day 2023.
Instagram/Zaire Wade
Like Father, Like Son
Dwyane's oldest son Zaire captioned this 2022 photo of his dad holding up his Salt Lake City Stars jersey: "Leave a legacy."
Instagram/Gabrielle Union
Teenage Milestones
Dwyane and Gabby send Zaya, who the former NBA star shares with ex Siovaughn Funches, off to her school's winter formal in January 2023.
"Supporting each other for life’s big moments is key," the couple wrote in an Instagram post. "All the nerves, all the anxiety, all the fear… With loved ones by your side, no matter the challenge, we 10 toes down. Always."
Hair For It
"See @kaaviajames mama's got hair like yours," Gabrielle shared on Instagram in 2020. "When I took my braids out she was like... now mom & baby both rocking their natural curls."
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Red Carpet Pro
While attending the 2019 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards, the couple's daughter Kaavia made her award show debut. Spoiler alert: She was a total pro.
Instagram / Gabrielle Union
Clap Backs
After celebrating Thanksgiving as a family, Dwyane took to Twitter to slam Internet trolls who had some not-so-nice comments.
"I've seen some post-thanksgiving hate on social about my family photo," he shared online. "Stupidity is apart of this world we live in—so i get it. But here's the thing—I've been chosen to lead my family not y'all. So we will continue to be us and support each other with pride, love & a smile!"
Instagram/Gabrielle Union
Snuggle Season
Gabrielle rang in her 50th birthday in 2022 with snuggles from Dwyane and Kaavia.
Instagram/Gabrielle Union
Sweet 16
The couple are all smiles as they celebrate Zaya's 16th birthday in May 2023.
Best Dressed
When it was time to celebrate Halloween 2019, Gabrielle and Dwyane knew just the look to pull off with their baby girl.
Round 2
But wait, there's more! The proud parents also transformed into another theme with their daughter Zaya.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Kids Come First
Dwyane praised Zaya amid criticism from online trolls.
"First of all, if you want to talk about strength and courage, my 12-year-old has way more than I have," he shared on the All the Smoke podcast in 2019. "You can learn something from your kids. In my household, man, that's all we talk about. We talk about making sure our kids are seen by each of us, me and my wife, We talk about making sure our kids understand the power in their voice."
Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
Ultimate Defenders
After Gabrielle was fired from America's Got Talent in 2019, Dwyane absolutely had his wife's back. "'Men lie, Women lie, numbers don't,'" he shared on Twitter after the news broke. "Over this past year I've been approaching by many people saying that my wife @itsgabrielleu is the main reason they've started watching #AGT or that they love her insight and sincerity on the show."
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