Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union celebrate daughter Zaya’s 16th birthday with throwback pics
Happy sweet 16, Zaya!
Dwyane Wade’s daughter rang in her milestone birthday on Monday, gushing via Instagram about how “thankful” she felt “for all the love.”
The teenager received touching social media tributes from her dad, as well as stepmom Gabrielle Union.
“6Teen 🫶🏾,” the retired NBA player, 41, captioned his slideshow of sweet snaps.
The pictures ranged from throwbacks taken during Zaya’s childhood to recent shots from winter formal and Paris Fashion Week.
The birthday girl commented on the carousel with tearful emojis.
Union’s post included videos of the actress sharing a laugh with Zaya and cheering for her runway walk.
The “Bring It On” star became Zaya’s stepmom in 2014 when she married Wade, who is also the father of Zaire, 21, Xavier, 9, and their 4-year-old daughter, Kaavia.
While Wade has been vocal about his support since Zaya came out as transgender in 2020, his ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches, battled against the teen getting her legal name and gender change granted last year.
In August 2022 court documents obtained by Page Six, Funches alleged that Wade was “pressuring” Zaya to pursue the change in order to “capitalize on financial opportunities.”
Wade clapped back against the “damaging lies” via Instagram.
“I’ve given her the opportunity to reach out to Zaya’s teachers, doctors and therapist over the years and even meet her friends, so she could get her own understanding of our child’s needs for her LIFE!” the former Miami Heat player wrote at the time. “She won’t.”
The following year, Wade spoke out against Florida’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, revealing he moved his family out of the state.
He explained to “Headliners” viewers in April that while “a lot of people” didn’t know about his relocation, his family “would not be accepted or feel comfortable” in the Sunshine State.
The Olympian often praises his eldest daughter’s successes via Instagram, celebrating her DAZED magazine cover, her Miu Miu runway debut and more accomplishments.
Zaya gushed over her dad’s support in the March cover story, calling him a “giant support system” whom she feels “strongest” with.
