This world is very quick to judge. Especially when you are someone of the same stature as the Wade family. But even then, as a father and guardian to five kids, including nephew Dahveon Morris and children Zaire, Zaya, Xavier, and Kaavia, Dwyane Wade has always emphasized the importance of letting his kids carve their own paths. “I think we have to continue to grow as parents and understand that our kids’ lives are not just about us,” he told TODAY in 2022. For him, it’s not about shaping them into a reflection of himself but supporting who they truly are.
But none of this journey has been a solo act. Gabrielle Union, Wade’s wife, has been just as much a part of this evolution. Their love story had a rocky start when they first met at a Super Bowl party in 2007. “When I met Dwyane, his résumé looked like crap,” she admitted in 2014. Still, after a heartbreak of her own, she took a chance on him. And now, over a decade later, they’ve built a life together, celebrating their love and commitment just last August.
Still, balancing Hollywood, an NBA career, and parenting wasn’t easy for Gab. She struggled to juggle it all while Wade was traveling from city to city. “I wish I had better balance,” she confessed. As an actress with an unpredictable schedule and Wade constantly on the road, maintaining stability at home was a challenge.
However, Zaya changed everything. “Motherhood has really made me much more of a fierce warrior, especially since Zaya, if you will, has been born,” Union revealed. While she was always protective of Zaire and Dahveon, Zaya’s journey made her redefine what it meant to be a mother.
SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 12: Dahveon Morris, Jolinda Wade, Zaya Wade, 2023 inductee Dwyane Wade, Kaavia James Wade, Gabrielle Union and Zaire Wade attend the 2023 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Induction at Symphony Hall on August 12, 2023 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
After coming out as transgender in 2020, Zaya found her biggest support in both Wade and Union, shaping Union into an even stronger advocate for her children. And Zaya feels it. “When my family surrounds me, I feel strongest,” she previously shared.
That fierce protection is something Union refuses to compromise on. “I just don’t have any f—- left to give about how I protect my children,” she stated firmly. For her, standing by them is non-negotiable.
Gabrielle Union becomes Zaya’s backbone
When it comes to showing up for Zaya, Gabrielle Union makes sure her daughter knows one thing—beauty comes from within. “It’s about being you and expressing yourself the way you want to,” Zaya shared with People. For Gab, beauty isn’t about meeting outdated standards but about confidence and self-expression. And Zaya takes that lesson to heart, embracing her own identity without hesitation.
Recently, Union and Dwyane Wade took their support to the world stage, attending the 97th Academy Awards to stand by Zaya. The couple’s unwavering dedication was on display again at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party, where they didn’t shy away from addressing the ongoing debates surrounding transgender rights. No matter the noise, their focus remains on one thing—Zaya’s happiness.
“Our daughter is doing great. She had a gospel choir concert last night, and the joy we got a chance to watch Zaya portray… just being a kid on that stage, that’s what we focus on,” Gab told Variety. While political debates continue, the couple stays grounded in their role as parents, prioritizing Zaya’s well-being over outside opinions.
But Union knows Zaya isn’t just surviving—she’s thriving. “She’s a fighter, and so I’m proud I raised a fighter,” Union once said. And with a mother like her in her corner, Zaya isn’t backing down anytime soon.
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