When people search for information about Zaya Wade, one of the most common questions is about her age.
As the transgender daughter of NBA legend Dwyane Wade and actress Gabrielle Union’s stepdaughter, Zaya has captured public attention not just for her famous family connections, but for her authentic journey and powerful advocacy work. In 2026, Zaya Wade is 18 years old, having celebrated her birthday on May 29, 2025, marking her transition into adulthood.
This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about Zaya Wade age, from her birth details and family background to her modeling career, activism work, and recent milestones as a high school graduate from the Class of 2025.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts Table About Zaya Wade Age
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Birth Name | Zion Malachi Airamis Wade |
| Current Name | Zaya Wade |
| Age in 2026 | 18 years old |
| Birthday | May 29, 2007 |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Height | 5’5″ (165 cm) |
| Pronouns | She/Her |
| Gender Identity | Trans girl, Transgender woman |
| Parents | Dwyane Wade (father), Siohvaughn Funches (mother) |
| Stepmother | Gabrielle Union |
| Siblings | Zaire Wade (brother), Xavier Wade (brother), Kaavia Wade (sister), Dahveon Morris (cousin, raised as sibling) |
| Education | Sierra Canyon School (graduated 2025) |
| Occupation | Model, LGBTQ+ activist, Social media influencer |
| @zayawade | |
| Notable Work | Transgender rights advocate, Fashion influencer, Co-founder of Translatable |
Understanding Zaya Wade’s Current Age
Born on May 29, 2007, Zaya Wade turned 18 in May 2025, making her 18 years old throughout 2026. This milestone birthday marked her official entry into adulthood, coinciding with her high school graduation from Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles. As a Gemini born in late May, Zaya shares her zodiac sign with other creative and communicative individuals.
Zaya Wade’s Birthday Celebrations
Zaya Wade’s birthday on May 29 has become an occasion celebrated not just by her family but by supporters worldwide who admire her courage and authenticity. Her 18th birthday in 2025 was particularly significant, representing both her legal adulthood and her graduation from high school, two major milestones that opened new chapters in her life.
Who Is Zaya Wade?
Zaya Wade is far more than just the daughter of an NBA star. She is a transgender rights advocate, model, fashion influencer, and social media personality who has used her platform to inspire countless young people navigating their own gender identity journeys. Since coming out at 12 years old, Zaya has become one of the most visible young transgender activists in America, using her voice to promote acceptance, understanding, and equality.
As the transgender daughter of former Miami Heat basketball legend Dwyane Wade, Zaya grew up in the spotlight. However, she has carved out her own identity separate from her famous father’s basketball legacy at Marquette University and his championship career. Her authenticity and courage have earned her recognition from organizations like GLAAD Media Awards, The Advocate Women of the Year honors, and The Root Young Futurists list.
Zaya’s Impact on Transgender Visibility
What makes Zaya Wade’s story particularly powerful is her willingness to live authentically in the public eye. At a time when transgender youth face significant challenges, having a visible advocate with a supportive family has provided hope and representation for countless young people questioning their own gender identity or seeking acceptance from their families.
Early Life and Birth Details
Understanding Zaya Wade’s early life provides context for her remarkable journey of self-discovery and public advocacy that has defined her teenage years.
When Was Zaya Wade Born?
Zaya Wade was born on May 29, 2007, in Chicago, Illinois. Her birth came during her father Dwyane Wade’s early years with the Miami Heat, shortly after he led the team to an NBA championship. The Chicago birthplace connects Zaya to her father’s hometown, where he became a basketball legend before his professional career.
At the time of her birth in 2007, Zaya’s parents, Dwyane Wade and Siohvaughn Funches, were still married, though they would later divorce in 2010. Growing up primarily in Miami and later Los Angeles, Zaya experienced a childhood split between her mother’s home and her father’s residence with stepmother Gabrielle Union.
Zaya’s Birth Name and Name Change
Zaya was assigned male at birth and given the name Zion Malachi Airamis Wade. The name Zion held significant meaning for the Wade family, and Zaya’s brother also carries the name Zaire, showing the family’s pattern of meaningful name selection.
The name change from Zion to Zaya came after she came out as transgender at age 12. The transition wasn’t just about changing a name but about allowing Zaya to live authentically according to her true gender identity. Dwyane Wade has spoken extensively about his daughter’s courage in expressing who she truly was, and the family’s commitment to supporting her journey.
The legal name change process became a public matter when Dwyane Wade filed a petition in Los Angeles County Court in 2022 seeking to legally change his daughter’s name and gender marker. This legal step was important for ensuring Zaya’s identification documents matched her identity, though it also became a point of contention during custody disputes with Zaya’s biological mother.
Growing Up in the Spotlight
As the child of an NBA superstar who spent significant time with the Miami Heat organization, Zaya grew up accustomed to public attention. However, the nature of that attention shifted dramatically when she came out publicly in 2020. Rather than being known simply as “Dwyane Wade’s child,” Zaya became a prominent figure in her own right, recognized for her advocacy and authenticity.
Family Background
Zaya Wade’s family background is complex, featuring famous parents, a blended family structure, and a support system that has been crucial to her journey.
Parents: Dwyane Wade and Siohvaughn Funches
Zaya’s biological parents are NBA legend Dwyane Wade and his high school sweetheart Siohvaughn Funches. The couple married in 2002 when both were very young and had two children together: Zaire Wade, born in 2002, and Zaya, born in 2007.
Dwyane Wade’s basketball career took him from Marquette University to NBA stardom with the Miami Heat, where he became a three-time NBA champion and 13-time All-Star. His success on the court provided his children with significant opportunities and exposure, but also meant growing up with intense public scrutiny.
The marriage between Dwyane and Siohvaughn ended in divorce in 2010, leading to a contentious custody battle. Dwyane ultimately received primary custody of both Zaire and Zaya, with the children primarily living with him in Miami and later Los Angeles.
Siohvaughn Funches has been less visible in Zaya’s public life, though she remains Zaya’s biological mother. The relationship between Siohvaughn and Zaya has been complicated, particularly around issues of Zaya’s gender identity. Siohvaughn publicly opposed the legal name change and has expressed concerns about Zaya’s transition, creating tension within the family dynamic.
Stepmother Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union entered Zaya’s life when she began dating Dwyane Wade in 2008, eventually marrying him in 2014. The actress has become one of Zaya’s most vocal supporters and advocates, frequently speaking about LGBTQ+ rights and the importance of supporting transgender youth.
Gabrielle’s role as stepmother has been particularly significant in Zaya’s journey. She has accompanied Zaya to red carpet appearances at events like the NAACP Awards, supported her modeling career at Paris Fashion Week, and used her own platform to amplify Zaya’s advocacy work. The bond between Gabrielle and Zaya appears strong, with Gabrielle often sharing pride in Zaya’s accomplishments and courage.
In a notable interview with Michelle Obama, Gabrielle spoke about the family’s approach to supporting Zaya, emphasizing the importance of listening to children and creating safe spaces for them to express their authentic selves.
Siblings and Extended Family
Zaya Wade grew up in a large, blended family with several siblings:
- Zaire Wade is Zaya’s older brother, born in 2002. Like his father, Zaire pursued basketball and has played professionally. The bond between Zaire and Zaya has been publicly supportive, with Zaire defending his sister against critics and celebrating her accomplishments.
- Xavier Wade, born in 2013, is Zaya’s younger brother from Dwyane’s previous relationship. Xavier has grown up alongside Zaya and appears in family photos and social media posts.
- Kaavia Wade, born in 2018 to Dwyane and Gabrielle Union via surrogate, is Zaya’s youngest sister. The age gap between Kaavia and Zaya is significant, but family photos show a loving relationship between the sisters.
- Dahveon Morris, Dwyane’s nephew, was raised in the Wade household alongside Zaire and Zaya, making him effectively another sibling in the family dynamic.
This blended family structure has provided Zaya with a support network of siblings who have rallied around her, particularly as she navigated coming out publicly and facing public scrutiny about her gender identity.
Coming Out Journey and Gender Identity
Zaya Wade’s coming out story is one of the most significant aspects of her public narrative, representing both personal courage and a broader conversation about transgender youth and family acceptance.
Timeline of Zaya’s Coming Out
Zaya’s journey of understanding and expressing her gender identity began when she was around 12 years old. According to Dwyane Wade’s public statements, Zaya came to him and Gabrielle expressing that she was ready to live as her authentic self as a transgender girl.
The initial coming out was a private family matter, with Dwyane and Gabrielle working to educate themselves about what it means to support a transgender child. Dwyane has spoken about reaching out to the cast of the television show “Pose,” consulting with organizations like GLAAD, and doing extensive research to ensure they could provide the best possible support for Zaya.
During this period from approximately 2019 to early 2020, Zaya began her social transition, adopting her new name, using she/her pronouns, and expressing her gender identity through her appearance and presentation. The family kept this relatively private, allowing Zaya to explore her identity without the full glare of public attention.
Public Announcement in 2020
The world learned about Zaya’s transgender identity in February 2020, when Dwyane Wade appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. During the interview, Dwyane spoke about Zaya’s coming out, expressing his pride in his daughter’s courage and his commitment to supporting her journey.
“Zaya, our 12-year-old, came home and said, ‘Hey, so I want to talk to you guys. I think going forward, I’m ready to live my truth. And I want to be referenced as she and her. I would love for you guys to call me Zaya,'” Dwyane shared during the interview.
The announcement was met with overwhelming support from many quarters, though it also attracted criticism from some who questioned the family’s approach to supporting a young transgender child. Dwyane and Gabrielle remained steadfast in their support, with Gabrielle posting on Instagram: “Meet Zaya. She’s compassionate, loving, whip smart and we are so proud of her.”
Shortly after the Ellen interview, Zaya made her Instagram debut with the handle @zayawade, giving her a platform to connect directly with supporters and share her own perspective on her journey. Her first posts showcased her personality, style, and confidence, immediately attracting hundreds of thousands of followers.
The Truth Awards 2020 Appearance
One of Zaya’s first major public appearances after coming out was at the Truth Awards in March 2020, where she walked the red carpet alongside her father and stepmother. The appearance was significant because it showed Zaya confidently living her truth in a very public setting, dressed in a stylish outfit that reflected her authentic self.
The Truth Awards appearance received widespread media coverage, with many praising the Wade family for their visible support of their transgender daughter. Photos from the event showed a beaming Zaya, comfortable and confident, marking a powerful moment of representation for transgender youth.
Understanding Zaya’s Gender Identity
Zaya identifies as a trans girl and transgender woman, using she/her pronouns. Her journey reflects the experiences of many transgender young people who recognize their gender identity during childhood or early adolescence.
The term “trans girl” refers to someone who was assigned male at birth but identifies and lives as a girl or woman. For Zaya, this meant transitioning socially by changing her name from Zion to Zaya, using she/her pronouns, and expressing her gender through her appearance, clothing, and presentation.
It’s important to understand that gender identity is about a person’s internal sense of their own gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex they were assigned at birth. Zaya’s recognition of her gender identity at age 12, while young, is not unusual. Many transgender people report knowing their gender identity from a young age, even if they don’t have the language to express it until later.
Family Support and Advocacy
What distinguishes Zaya’s story from many other transgender youth is the visible, unwavering support she has received from her family, particularly her father and stepmother. Dwyane Wade has become an outspoken advocate for transgender rights and LGBTQ+ equality, using his platform as a sports icon to challenge prejudice and promote acceptance.
In interviews, Dwyane has discussed the importance of listening to children, educating oneself, and being willing to grow and change as a parent. He has acknowledged his own learning process, admitting that he didn’t initially understand what it meant to be transgender but committed himself to education and support for his daughter’s sake.
Gabrielle Union has similarly used her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, speaking at GLAAD Media Awards events, defending Zaya against critics, and sharing resources for parents of transgender children. The couple’s advocacy has helped normalize the experience of supporting transgender youth and has provided a model for other families navigating similar journeys.
Career and Achievements at 18
Despite her young age, Zaya Wade has already built an impressive resume of achievements spanning modeling, activism, and advocacy work.
Modeling Career
Zaya’s modeling career began gaining traction in her mid-teens, with her fashion-forward style and confident presence attracting attention from major brands and publications. Her distinctive look, standing at 5’5″ (165 cm), combined with her natural charisma and the platform provided by her famous family, opened doors in the fashion industry.
One of the highlights of Zaya’s modeling career came when she attended Paris Fashion Week, one of the most prestigious events in the fashion calendar. Her appearances at fashion shows demonstrated that major brands saw her not just as a celebrity child but as a legitimate fashion influencer and model in her own right.
Zaya has worked with luxury brand Miu Miu, appearing in campaigns and attending exclusive events. The relationship with high-fashion brands like Miu Miu represents significant validation of Zaya as a fashion figure and demonstrates the industry’s increasing embrace of transgender models and diverse representation.
Her red carpet appearances have consistently garnered media attention, with fashion critics praising her style choices and ability to carry sophisticated, high-fashion looks. From the Truth Awards in 2020 to various award shows and fashion events, Zaya has demonstrated a sophisticated fashion sense that belies her young age.
Beyond traditional modeling, Zaya has established herself as a social media influencer with a significant following on Instagram. Her @zayawade account showcases not just her fashion choices but also glimpses into her life, interests, and advocacy work. This social media presence has made her an influential voice among young people, particularly LGBTQ+ youth seeking representation and inspiration.
Activism and Advocacy Work
While Zaya’s modeling career has brought her visibility, her activism and advocacy work may prove to be her most enduring legacy. As a transgender rights advocate, Zaya has used her platform to speak out on issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender youth.
Zaya is co-founder of Translatable, an initiative focused on supporting transgender youth and providing resources for families navigating gender identity issues. This venture demonstrates Zaya’s commitment to turning her own experiences into support systems for others facing similar challenges.
Her advocacy has earned recognition from major LGBTQ+ organizations and publications. The Advocate named her to their Women of the Year list, recognizing her impact on transgender visibility and rights. The Root included her in their Young Futurists list, acknowledging her potential to shape conversations about identity, acceptance, and equality in the years to come.
Zaya has participated in GLAAD Media Awards events, connecting with other advocates and using these platforms to amplify messages about transgender rights and acceptance. Her speeches and appearances at these events have been characterized by maturity beyond her years and a clear commitment to making a difference.
What makes Zaya’s activism particularly powerful is her willingness to be vulnerable and share her own story. In interviews and public statements, she has spoken about the challenges of coming out, the importance of family support, and the ongoing struggle for transgender rights. This personal approach makes her advocacy relatable and impactful, particularly for young people who see themselves in her story.
Education and Graduation
Zaya Wade attended Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles, a private school known for educating children of celebrities and athletes. Sierra Canyon provided Zaya with an educational environment where she could focus on her studies while navigating the unique challenges of being a transgender student in the public eye.
In 2025, Zaya graduated from Sierra Canyon as part of the Class of 2025, marking a major milestone in her young life. Her high school graduation represented the completion of her secondary education and the beginning of new possibilities for her future.
The graduation was celebrated by her family, with Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union sharing proud moments from the ceremony on social media. Photos from Zaya’s senior prom and graduation showed a confident young woman ready to embark on the next chapter of her life.
Like many high school graduates, Zaya now faces decisions about her future, including whether to pursue higher education, focus on her modeling career, expand her advocacy work, or some combination of these paths. Given her accomplishments already at 18, the possibilities for her future seem limitless.
Personal Life and Interests
Beyond her public advocacy and modeling work, Zaya Wade is a typical young person with interests, hobbies, and a personal life she navigates both in and out of the public eye.
Social Media Presence
Zaya’s Instagram account @zayawade has become her primary platform for connecting with supporters and sharing aspects of her life. Since making her Instagram debut in 2020, she has amassed a significant following, with fans drawn to her authentic posts, fashion content, and occasional glimpses into her daily life.
Her social media strategy balances personal sharing with maintaining boundaries appropriate for a young person growing up in public. While she shares fashion photos, family moments, and advocacy messages, she also maintains privacy around certain aspects of her life, demonstrating a mature understanding of social media’s opportunities and risks.
The comments on Zaya’s posts are typically supportive, with fans expressing admiration for her courage, complimenting her style, and thanking her for her visibility as a transgender role model. This positive community has created a space where Zaya can express herself while receiving affirmation and support from around the world.
Fashion and Style
Fashion has become one of Zaya’s most visible passions and a key aspect of her public identity. Her style evolution from her early public appearances to her current fashion-forward looks demonstrates both her personal growth and her increasing confidence in expressing herself.
Zaya’s fashion sense tends toward sophisticated, high-fashion pieces, often mixing luxury brands with more accessible fashion. She has been spotted wearing everything from elegant gowns at formal events to street-style casual wear that showcases her personality and generation’s aesthetic preferences.
Her appearances at Paris Fashion Week and relationships with brands like Miu Miu have positioned her within the fashion industry as someone to watch. Fashion publications have featured her looks, and her red carpet appearances consistently generate media coverage and social media discussion.
What makes Zaya’s approach to fashion particularly noteworthy is how she uses clothing as a form of self-expression and empowerment. For many transgender individuals, fashion and style can be important tools for expressing gender identity, and Zaya’s confident embrace of fashion represents both personal authenticity and a broader statement about transgender visibility in the fashion world.
Relationships
As a young person who has grown up largely in the public eye, Zaya has maintained relative privacy around her romantic relationships. Unlike some celebrity children who have very public dating lives, Zaya has kept this aspect of her personal life largely out of the media spotlight.
This privacy is appropriate for someone her age and demonstrates the boundaries the Wade family has tried to maintain despite their public profile. While fans may be curious about Zaya’s personal relationships, respecting her privacy in this area is important, particularly as she navigates young adulthood.
What Zaya has shared publicly is the importance of the relationships with her family, particularly her father, stepmother, and siblings. These family relationships have been central to her story and continue to provide the foundation of support that allows her to pursue her various interests and advocacy work.
Recent Updates and Milestones (2025-2026)
The period from 2025 into 2026 has been marked by several significant milestones for Zaya Wade as she transitions from adolescence into adulthood.
High School Graduation
The most significant milestone of 2025 was Zaya’s graduation from Sierra Canyon School. As a member of the Class of 2025, Zaya completed her high school education alongside her peers, attending senior events like prom and participating in graduation ceremonies.
Her graduation was particularly meaningful because it represented the completion of her high school years, during which she came out publicly, built her modeling career, and established herself as an advocate. Completing high school while navigating these various challenges and opportunities is no small achievement.
Photos from graduation showed Zaya in her cap and gown, surrounded by family, looking confident and ready for the next chapter. Dwyane Wade’s social media posts celebrating his daughter’s graduation reflected the pride he feels in her accomplishments, both academic and personal.
Turning 18
Zaya’s 18th birthday on May 29, 2025, marked her legal transition to adulthood. This milestone came with new freedoms and responsibilities, including the ability to make her own legal decisions, vote in elections, and chart her own course without the same level of parental oversight required for minors.
The significance of turning 18 as a transgender person includes the ability to make healthcare decisions independently and to have full legal autonomy over questions of identity and documentation. For Zaya, who has been navigating questions about legal name changes and gender markers with her family’s support, reaching age 18 provides additional agency over these personal matters.
Future Plans
As of 2026, Zaya faces the exciting prospect of determining her future path. While she hasn’t publicly announced specific plans regarding college, career focus, or other next steps, she has several potential directions she could pursue:
- Education: Zaya could choose to attend college or university, following in her father’s footsteps to Marquette University or selecting another institution that aligns with her interests and goals. Higher education could provide opportunities to deepen her advocacy work, study fashion, or explore other academic interests.
- Modeling Career: With established relationships in the fashion industry and a growing portfolio of work, Zaya could focus on expanding her modeling career. Her work with brands like Miu Miu and appearances at Paris Fashion Week have laid a foundation for a potential long-term career in fashion and modeling.
- Advocacy Expansion: Zaya’s work as a transgender rights advocate and her role with Translatable could expand into a more central focus. As she gains more life experience and legal adulthood, her voice on LGBTQ+ issues and particularly transgender youth rights could become even more influential.
- Media and Entertainment: Growing up in Los Angeles with connections to both sports and entertainment through her parents, Zaya might explore opportunities in media, entertainment, or other creative fields beyond modeling.
Whatever path Zaya chooses, she brings with her the experience of growing up in the public eye, the platform of a significant social media following, and the credibility established through her advocacy work and authentic living.
Continued Advocacy
Even as she navigates these personal milestones, Zaya has continued her advocacy work for transgender rights and LGBTQ+ equality. Her voice has remained important in conversations about protecting transgender youth, particularly as various states have introduced legislation affecting transgender rights.
As an 18-year-old transgender woman who came out publicly as a child, Zaya’s perspective on issues affecting transgender youth carries particular weight. She represents the possibility of thriving with family support and public acceptance, while also understanding the challenges that many transgender young people face.
Her partnership with organizations like GLAAD, her inclusion in recognition lists from publications like The Advocate and The Root, and her ongoing social media presence all contribute to maintaining visibility and advocacy for transgender rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Zaya Wade now?
Zaya Wade is 18 years old in 2026. She was born on May 29, 2007, and celebrated her 18th birthday in May 2025. This means throughout 2026, she remains 18 years old until her 19th birthday in May 2027.
What is Zaya Wade’s real name?
Zaya Wade’s current legal name is Zaya Wade, though she was born with the name Zion Malachi Airamis Wade. After coming out as transgender at age 12, she began using the name Zaya, and her father Dwyane Wade filed legal paperwork to officially change her name and gender marker. The name Zaya is her authentic name, the one that matches her identity, making it her “real name” in every meaningful sense.
When did Zaya Wade come out?
Zaya Wade came out to her family as transgender when she was 12 years old, around 2019. The public announcement came in February 2020, when her father Dwyane Wade discussed her coming out during an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Shortly after, Zaya made her Instagram debut and appeared publicly at the Truth Awards in March 2020, marking her first major public appearance since coming out.
Who are Zaya Wade’s parents?
Zaya Wade’s biological parents are Dwyane Wade, the former NBA star who played most famously for the Miami Heat, and Siohvaughn Funches, Dwyane’s high school sweetheart whom he married in 2002. Zaya’s stepmother is actress Gabrielle Union, who married Dwyane in 2014. Both Dwyane and Gabrielle have been vocal supporters of Zaya’s gender identity and have become advocates for transgender youth and LGBTQ+ rights.
What does Zaya Wade do for a career?
At 18, Zaya Wade works as a model and social media influencer, and is a prominent transgender rights advocate. She has worked with luxury brands like Miu Miu, attended Paris Fashion Week, and appeared on numerous red carpets. Beyond modeling, she is co-founder of Translatable, an initiative supporting transgender youth. She has been recognized by organizations including The Advocate (Women of the Year), The Root (Young Futurists), and has participated in GLAAD Media Awards events.
Where does Zaya Wade live?
Zaya Wade lives in Los Angeles, California, where she attended Sierra Canyon School and graduated in 2025. She has spent significant time in both Los Angeles and Miami, where her father played for the Miami Heat. While she was born in Chicago, Illinois, most of her upbringing took place in Los Angeles with her father Dwyane Wade and stepmother Gabrielle Union.
What is Zaya Wade’s zodiac sign?
Zaya Wade’s zodiac sign is Gemini. Born on May 29, 2007, she falls under this air sign known for characteristics like communication, adaptability, and social nature. Many Geminis are known for their expressive personalities and ability to connect with others, traits that Zaya demonstrates through her advocacy work and social media presence.
Is Zaya Wade in a relationship?
Zaya Wade has maintained privacy regarding her romantic relationships. As an 18-year-old navigating young adulthood in the public eye, she has kept this aspect of her personal life largely private, which is appropriate and healthy for someone her age. Her public statements and social media presence focus more on her advocacy work, fashion interests, and family relationships.
What are Zaya Wade’s pronouns?
Zaya Wade uses she/her pronouns. She has been clear about her gender identity as a trans girl and transgender woman since coming out publicly in 2020. Using correct pronouns is an important way to respect transgender individuals’ identities, and Zaya’s family, supporters, and the media have consistently used she/her when referring to her.
Conclusion
At 18 years old in 2026, Zaya Wade has already lived a remarkable life marked by courage, authenticity, and impact far beyond her years. From her birth as Zion Malachi Airamis Wade on May 29, 2007, in Chicago, Illinois, to her current status as a transgender rights advocate, model, and influential voice for LGBTQ+ youth, Zaya’s journey demonstrates the power of living authentically with supportive family behind you.
As the transgender daughter of NBA legend Dwyane Wade and stepdaughter of actress Gabrielle Union, Zaya has used the platform provided by her famous family to become an advocate in her own right. Her coming out story at age 12, announced publicly in 2020 through her father’s appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, marked a watershed moment for transgender visibility in mainstream American culture.
Zaya’s accomplishments in modeling, from walking at Paris Fashion Week to working with luxury brands like Miu Miu, demonstrate that she is far more than her famous last name. Her advocacy work, including co-founding Translatable and earning recognition from The Advocate Women of the Year and The Root Young Futurists lists, shows a commitment to making the world better for transgender youth who face challenges she understands firsthand.
Her graduation from Sierra Canyon School in 2025 as part of the Class of 2025, combined with turning 18, marks the beginning of adult life filled with possibilities. Whether she focuses on expanding her modeling career, deepening her advocacy work, pursuing higher education, or charting an entirely different course, Zaya has demonstrated the maturity, confidence, and vision to succeed in whatever she chooses.
The support of her family, including her father Dwyane Wade, stepmother Gabrielle Union, and siblings Zaire Wade, Xavier Wade, Kaavia Wade, and Dahveon Morris, has been crucial to Zaya’s ability to thrive. Their visible, unwavering support has provided a model for other families navigating similar journeys and has helped shift cultural conversations about transgender youth and acceptance.
As we continue through 2026, Zaya Wade at 18 years old represents hope, possibility, and the power of authenticity. Her story demonstrates that with family support, personal courage, and commitment to living truthfully, young transgender people can not only survive but thrive. For the countless young people who look to Zaya as a role model, her message is clear: you deserve to live as your authentic self, and there is a community ready to support and celebrate you.
From her early life in Chicago to her current status as a fashion influencer and transgender rights advocate in Los Angeles, from her birth name to her authentic name Zaya, from childhood to emerging adulthood, Zaya Wade’s journey continues to inspire, challenge, and ultimately change hearts and minds about what it means to support and celebrate transgender youth.
