Gabrielle Union and her husband Dwyane Wade took to Instagram on June 2 with a heartwarming tribute in honor of their daughter Zaya Wade’s birthday. The beautiful model and LGBTQ advocate turned 18 on May 29.
The loving parents kicked off their sweet message by praising Zaya for her incredible “transparency” and strength.
“They say parents are the ones to raise and show their children ‘the way’, but you’ve been the one to show us what true strength, vulnerability, and love really look like,” Union, 52, and Wade, 43, penned. “At just 18, you’ve already shown the world what it means to be brave.”
The duo added, “Your courage lights the way for so many to follow, and we’re right beside you every step of the way.”
Zaya Wade Birthday Celebration
Union and Wade recently shared a joint-post highlighting moments from Zaya’s 18th birthday celebration, which took place over the weekend in collaboration with H&M and MAC Cosmetics. The photos featured Zaya looking radiant in a stunning white gown adorned with shimmery tassels and a flowing train that added an extra touch of elegance. She carried the shimmering theme into her makeup, wearing eye-catching pearl accents woven into her eyeshadow. To complete the look, she paired the ensemble with beige heels and a matching bag.
Additional snapshots captured her mingling with guests and clearly enjoying every moment of the festive occasion. Recapping the special night on her own Instagram page, Zaya told fans that the entire night was “special.”
She added, “Thank you to my friends and family who celebrated with me. It’s going to be an amazing year.”
Zaya Wade is heading to college
Time surely does fly by! In a March interview with Seventeen, Zaya shared that she’s currently exploring college options as she prepares to transition from high school to university life. As a transgender teen, she expressed her desire to attend a school where she can fully embrace her identity and feel supported. However, she also voiced concern about the growing number of anti-trans bills being passed across the country, admitting that her safety is a significant factor in her decision-making process.
“It would be a little too idealistic to say I’m going to be safe anywhere I go. Even if I’m in a blue state or blue city or blue county, it’s not to say that it will be free of Black and queer discrimination. But I’m obviously factoring in the safer choices,” said Zaya, who came out as transgender in 2020. “I really want to put myself in spaces where I know I can find my community and my community can find me, and we can work together to keep the queer community across the country strong.”
Like any teen, love and romance appear to be on the mind of the Gen-Z beauty, too. The Miu Miu model revealed that she was on the market and currently dating, although “dating” is a term that is a bit “aggressive” for Zaya. She’d much rather have a casual “situationship” at this stage of her life.
“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 [the] day, I have to focus on me,” she confessed.
Congrats to Zaya Wade.
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