or
Sign in with lockrMail
BREAKING NEWS
OK LogoNEWS

Dwyane Wade's Daughter Zaya Makes Modeling Debut After Legally Changing Her Gender Against Mother's Wishes: 'She's Arrived'

dwamye zaya pp
Source: mega;@zayaswade/instagra

March 8 2023, Published 1:15 p.m. ET

Link to FacebookShare to XShare to FlipboardShare to Email

Dwyane Wade has supported his daughter Zaya through thick and thin.

On Tuesday, March 7, the former NBA star couldn’t keep a smile off of his face as he sat front row beside his wife, Gabrielle Union, to cheer on the 15-year-old during her runway debut at Paris Fashion Week.

Article continues below advertisement
zayawaden
Source: @zayaswade/instagram
Article continues below advertisement

Zaya strutted along the Miu Miu catwalk in an olive green blazer and matching dress ensemble just weeks after her name and gender was legally changed, despite her mother Siohvaughn Funches-Wade’s objections.

"She’s arrived," Dwyane captioned a n Instagram video of Zaya rocking the runway show.

Article continues below advertisement
zaya ig
Source: @zayaswade/instagram
Article continues below advertisement

"Debut," Zaya simply stated, as she also shared a clip of her fierce fashion week appearance to the social media app.

Dwyane couldn’t help but gush over his beautiful daughter, commenting: "To witness your grace is something @zayawade I am Proud of you❤️."

Article continues below advertisement

Never miss a story — sign up for the OK! newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what OK! has to offer. It’s gossip too good to wait for!

MORE ON:
Dwyane Wade

Want OK! each day? Sign up here!

Article continues below advertisement

The 41-year-old's ex-wife was not in attendance at her daughter's catwalk debut, which comes as no surprise following her petition against Zaya officially changing her name and gender after the teenager came out as transgender in 2019.

Siohvaughn argued there were "multiple factors" that were "pressuring" Zaya to legally make these changes, one of which she claimed was "in order to capitalize on financial opportunities."

Article continues below advertisement
zaya
Source: @zayaswade/instagram
Article continues below advertisement

"[Wade] told me that he intended to make our child very famous due to the name and gender issue and also informed me that there would be endorsements/contracts associated therewith," Zaya's mom continued to write in the court documents, as OK! previously reported.

However, Dwyane had the higher up in the legal battle, as he was granted custody of Zaya and her brother Zaire, 21, in 2011 after their divorce was finalized.

Article continues below advertisement
Source: OK!

The supportive father shut down Siohvaughn's claims, writing that it was of Zaya's "best interest" for the judge to legally fulfill his daughter's wishes.

"From simple introductions and food orders, to applying for a driver’s license and filling out college applications," officially changing Zaya's name and gender would only make her life easier, the court filing noted.

"While it certainly would have been preferable for Zaya’s mother to be supportive of this important part of Zaya’s journey, Zaya should not be forced to put her life on hold while she waits for Siohvaughn to acknowledge and accept her truth," Dwyane concluded in the documents.

More From OK! Magazine

    Opt-out of personalized ads

    © Copyright 2024 OK!™️. A DIVISION OF MYSTIFY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK INC. OK! is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Offers may be subject to change without notice.