// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Zaya Wade a morning person? Wade up early.
Zaya Wade | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 29, 2007 |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2020–present |
| Father | Dwyane Wade |
| Relatives |
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| Modeling information | |
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Dark brown |
Zaya Wade (born May 29, 2007)[1] is an American model, influencer and activist. She is best known as the daughter of former NBA player Dwyane Wade. She is the co-founder of Translatable. She was included in the The Advocate's Women of Year list in 2020, The Root's Young Futurists list in 2020, and the GLAAD 20 Under 20 list in 2025.
Early life
[edit]Zaya Wade was born on May 29, 2007 to former NBA player Dwayne Wade and Siohvaughn Funches. She is the younger sister of Zaire Wade and has three younger siblings.[1] Due to her father's professional basketball career as a player of the Miami Heat, she primarily grew up in Miami, Florida during her childhood.[2][3]
Career
[edit]After coming out as trans in 2020 at age 12, she started a career in runway modeling,[4] making her runway debut for Miu Miu at Paris Fashion Week in March 2023.[5][6] She has appeared on the cover of Dazed magazine,[7][8] and in high fashion campaigns for brands like Tiffany & Co. and Dove.[9][10][11] She featured in Puma's 2023 "FOREVER. CLASSIC." campaign, modeling footwear and designing her own custom pair of shoes. [12][13][14]
Advocacy
[edit]Beyond modeling, Wade is an influencer and dedicated activist for trans visibility. In 2020, she was featured in both The Advocate's Women of the Year list,[15][16] and The Root's Young Futurists list.[17][18] In May 2024, she partnered with her father Dwyane Wade to launch "Translatable," a digital platform providing a safe community space for LGBTQ+ youth.[19][20] In December 2025, she was included in the sixth annual list of GLAAD 20 Under 20 presented by Teen Vogue.[21]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Young, Courtney (February 4, 2026). "Dwyane Wade's 5 Kids: All About His Sons and Daughters". People. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ↑ Kaloi, Stephanie (October 16, 2025). "A Great Team! All About Dwyane Wade's Kids, Including His Daughter With Gabrielle Union". Parade. Archived from the original on January 11, 2025. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
- ↑ Burke, Minyvonne (February 19, 2020). "Dwyane Wade says trans daughter Zaya knew gender identity since she was 3 years old". NBC News. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
- ↑ Philogene, Haniyah (May 24, 2024). "Dwyane Wade and his daughter Zaya launch a digital safe space for transgender youth". TheGrio. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ↑ Africa, Keshia (February 27, 2023). "Zaya Wade makes runway debut following legal name and gender change". News24. Archived from the original on May 28, 2026. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
- ↑ Aziz, Sandy (March 8, 2023). "This Video of Zaya Wade Practicing for Her Runway Debut Is the Cutest Thing Ever". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
- ↑ Trey (March 15, 2023). "Zaya Wade's gender resistance". Dazed. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
- ↑ Strater, Zizi (March 15, 2023). "Zaya Wade Lands First Magazine Cover: Fashion Is a 'Really Important Part of Expressing My Identity'". People. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ↑ Lee, Michelle (September 19, 2022). "Zaya Wade Shares a First Look at Her Tiffany & Co. Campaign and Reveals Her New Hairstyle". People. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ↑ Uwumarogie, Victoria (September 21, 2022). "Zaya Wade Stuns In Tiffany & Co. Photo Shoot; 15 Other Times She Effortlessly Slayed". Essence. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ↑ Urquhart, Tina (May 10, 2022). "#DetoxYourFeed: Gabrielle Union And Zaya Wade Encourage Teen Girls To Say No To Harmful Beauty Advice". BET. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
- ↑ Beni-Haynes, Shauna (December 20, 2023). "Zaya Wade on Her Holiday Must-Haves, Collab with Puma, & the Biggest Lesson She's Learned in 2023". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
- ↑ Messman-Rucker, Ariel (August 17, 2023). "Trans Model Zaya Wade Continues To Blaze Trails With New Puma Campaign". Out. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ↑ Ayoola, Elizabeth (December 27, 2023). "Zaya Wade Designed Her Own Custom Shoe With Puma". Essence. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ↑ "Women of the Year: 28 Stories That Are Changing The World". Advocate. April 22, 2020. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ↑ Ermac, Raffy (May 27, 2020). "Zaya Wade's Visibility is Building a Better Future For LGBTQ+ Youth". Advocate. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
- ↑ Adams, Genetta M. (April 15, 2020). "Young Futurists 2020: America Needs Leaders Now More Than Ever. Here Are 25 Who Are Already About That Life". The Root. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ↑ Gooch, Bryony (December 15, 2023). "Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade burst with pride for striking daughter Zaya's emotional announcement". HELLO!. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
- ↑ Jaime, Angie (May 24, 2024). "Dwyane Wade and Zaya Wade Launch 'Safe Space' For Trans Youth". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
- ↑ Cuby, Michael (May 29, 2024). ""This Is Bigger Than Us": How Dwyane Wade Went From Being Zaya's Supportive Dad to a Vocal Trans Advocate". Them. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
- ↑ Useche, Jose; Lenge, Yolanda (December 10, 2025). "GLAAD 20 Under 20 2025: Meet the Young LGBTQ Changemakers Shaping the World". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on May 27, 2026. Retrieved April 25, 2026.