It’s never easy stepping out of a famous parent’s shadow, especially when that parent is a sports legend. How do you even live up to the expectations that come along with being the child of one of the best shooting guards? Instead of chasing what was expected, she leaned into who she truly is. Her journey of finding her true self is pretty well known. And now, Zaya isn’t just Dwyane Wade’s daughter: she’s a rising force in fashion and business. And her confidence comes from her father’s backing. Dwyane Wade once believed he had two chances to extend his basketball legacy. “When I had two boys, I was like, I got two chances at the NBA,” he said. It seemed like a perfect plan until Zaya chose a different path. Instead of courts and sneakers, she found herself drawn to makeup, heels, and style. Wade didn’t resist; he learned to support her choices. That love helped her find success, even walking the runway for Dolce & Gabbana. And now it seems she might have something else planned for the fans.

Recently, Zaya sat down for a cozy and candid interview with Who What Wear. She was lounging in her childhood bedroom, mid-skincare routine, wearing sweatpants. After their chat, she planned to head straight into tutoring: proof that her to-do list is always full. Between gushing about lip gloss and sharing a random fear of the deep sea, Ana Escalante came across as incredibly grounded. With parents like Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, you’d expect glam nonstop, but Zaya keeps it real.

What really caught attention was her response when asked about prom and fashion plans. She didn’t spill everything, but gave just enough to tease something exciting. Zaya smiled and hinted that her team was “cooking up something.” For fashion lovers, that line alone felt like a drop-the-mic moment. She may only be 17, but Zaya’s already made serious moves in fashion. Girlhood isn’t always easy, especially for Black girls and Black trans girls who face pressure to grow up too fast. So her actions of living out her own truth show an act of quiet rebellion.

Poll of the day

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Do you think Shedeur Sanders' draft position will be more influenced by his talent or his father's legacy?

His undeniable talent

His father's legendary status

A mix of both

Neither, it's all about team needs

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How do you feel about Dwyane Wade's defense of Shedeur Sanders' confidence?

He's right, confidence is key for a QB

It's just arrogance masked as confidence

Wade should stay out of NFL matters

I appreciate his support for young athletes

Do you think Nikola Jokic can fill the leadership void left by Michael Malone's departure?

Absolutely, he's already proving it

Maybe, but he needs more time

No, Malone's absence will be felt deeply

Jokic should focus on playing, not leading

How do you feel about the Denver Nuggets' decision to fire Michael Malone right before the playoffs?

It was necessary for a fresh start

It was a mistake, Malone was crucial

Time will tell, but it's risky

I don't care as long as they win

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She’s walked the runway for Miu Miu in Paris, starred in Tiffany & Co. campaigns, and landed covers for CR Fashion Book, DAZED, and Homme Girls. Not bad for someone still balancing school and skincare routines. That’s why all eyes are on what’s next. Is she teasing a new look? Maybe even her own collection? Whatever it is, you can bet it’ll turn heads.

How Dwyane Wade turned Zaya’s hardest moments into lessons of love

“I just try to show up. Whatever that looks like for you [because] all of our lives are different.” Dwyane Wade said that back in 2023, and honestly, it hits differently. He wasn’t talking about being a superhero dad or doing something big and dramatic. He was talking about the simple stuff: the daily effort, the quiet presence. Have you ever thought about how much those little moments actually matter? For Wade, it’s listening, showing up after a long day, or even just being there in silence.

But what happens when your kid steps into the world as their true self, and the world doesn’t react with love? That’s exactly what happened when Zaya came out as trans. The internet exploded. Strangers who knew nothing about her felt free to judge. Even celebrities joined in, and some even attacked Wade. Can you imagine being a teenager and facing that kind of noise?

Wade didn’t take the bait. Instead of clapping back, he built a quiet shield around Zaya. He focused on her, not the trolls. In one story he told, he had just come from a meeting and picked her up in a fancy Maybach. “I was just hanging on the car, like, ‘Hey, Zaya,’” he said, remembering the smile it brought. Her friends laughed. She laughed. And in that moment, he wasn’t an NBA legend. He was just her dad.

Then he asked her, “Did I look cool?”: half joking, half hoping. Her reply? “Yeah, Dad, you looked cool.” It wasn’t about the car or the suit. It was about the feeling. The love. The safety. And isn’t that what every kid really needs? Not perfection. Just someone who shows up, no matter what.