For most teens on the cusp of adulthood, milestone birthdays come with expectations like fancy balloons, a big cake, and often, a headline-worthy celebration if you’re the child of a celebrity reflecting Hollywood royalty. But Zaya Wade has never followed the script written by others. And as her 18th birthday approached, she didn’t ask her parents for a red carpet or glittery lights. Instead, she quietly set her sights on something that felt more like her. Hint, hint… It’s something to do with the people who have shaped her world.
If you know one thing about the Wades, it is that they love a good party and going all out for celebrations. Exhibits, you may ask? Wade’s Hall of Fame party, Union’s birthdays, and that Thanksgiving get-together last year. But that’s a thing of yesterday now, and the parents of the teen had a new occasion waiting for which they had to do justice. However, there was a slight change of plans, as Zaya made her desires explicit.
Back in February, on Sherri’s YouTube Channel, Gabrielle Union said, “She finally had to just tell us the truth! Me and D (Wade) love a party, right? We love a theme, we were throwing these wild big bashes, and she’s like, ‘I just kind of want to do like… Can we just do like a fake campfire in the backyard and I and me and like two friends want to roast marshmallows?’”
Though the Bring It On actress was initially surprised, she knew where her step-daughter was coming from. She added, “Her version of a celebration is a little different [than] ours. For her 18th, she just wants to go see Kendrick Lamar and SZA.” And on May 25, only a few days before her birthday, Zaya posted Instagram stories from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where she saw Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s Grand National Tour. She tagged both artists in her stories, showing her followers the gala time she was having.
For Zaya, whose coming-of-age has been very public, the night was about more than simply music; it was also about making the most of her time and opportunity to witness her favorite artists live before her birthday on May 29. And her choice for the artists reflected something deeper. SZA, known for her deep connection to fans, has long extended kindness to Zaya behind the scenes. “She has been so kind to me and Zaya… She’s given Zaya her personal number to call her whenever,” Union revealed, visibly emotional. “A lot of people don’t get enough credit for who they are when there’s no cameras rolling.”
Zaya Wade has consistently expressed her desire to write her own story. That comes after one accepts oneself the way they truly are. She is an inspiration for many to come out and be who they really are, and it started with her gender identity.
Zaya Wade on her different kind of stage
The 17-year-old’s night at SoFi may have appeared like a teenage fan moment, but it was a powerful declaration of who she is, just like any runway she has walked. Since coming out as transgender at age 12, she has become more than just a media figure. She is a model for Miu Miu, a cover star for DAZED, and an outspoken supporter of trans youth through projects like the Translatable Project.
Dwyane and Gabrielle have always supported Zaya, and that has shaped an individual who actively speaks her mind and stands for what’s right. After all, the flak she received on social media after coming out must have been hard for any teenager to sit through. This then led to the former NBA star restricting comments on her daughter’s social media in order to protect her mental health. Further, she is a big advocate of mental health. In her interview with ESSENCE, when asked about boundaries, she remarked:
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)
“I think that [they] are essential for my emotional and mental health. I think without boundaries, you start to overwhelm yourself and you start to feel so much like excessive stress. And I think setting boundaries are so important just for you to feel comfortable in this environment that we’ve all been thrown into. And I just think that it’s really great for my mental health to set my boundaries and let people know this is as far as I can go, and I’m not going farther.”
Although her birthday is still a few days away and her parents, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, might have planned a surprise party for her or maybe more. Only time will tell as her fans and followers await how Zaya’s 18th birthday will turn out. But one can learn that Zaya is just going to get smarter and bolder as she grows and hits a major milestone.
The post Zaya’s Wish Comes True After Rejecting Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union’s Wild Plans for Major Milestone appeared first on EssentiallySports.
