Zaya Wade is carving her own path, and the world is watching. At just 17, she’s already making waves, earning a spot in People magazine’s “Elite 8” list of Black stars shaping history. Her journey hasn’t been a solo one—her dad, Dwyane Wade, stepmom Gabrielle Union, and family friend Udonis Haslem have all been vocal supporters. But as her influence grows, so does the list of people standing behind her. And one unexpected name has just been revealed.
Turns out, Zaya has a secret cheerleader who hasn’t been in the spotlight. In a recent interview, Gabrielle Union shared that Grammy-winning singer SZA has been a quiet yet powerful presence in Zaya’s life.
“SZA has been so kind for so many years. I mean, with me and with Zaya, and she’s given Zaya her personal number to call her whenever,” Gab revealed. While the world knows SZA for her music, behind the scenes, she’s been offering support in a way few knew about.
Union also opened up about how many people step up when the cameras aren’t rolling. “I think a lot of people don’t get enough credit for who they are when there’s no cameras rolling,” she said Sherri’s YouTube channel. “And there’s so many of us that behind the scenes, we do believe it is our job. We are our brothers and sisters. That’s it. And we will slide into your DMs, be like, you okay? That’s it.”
With unwavering support from loved ones, Zaya keeps breaking barriers. She’s already modeled for Marni, Tiffany & Co., and Puma. And in April, she reached another milestone—gracing the cover of DAZED magazine’s Spring 2023 issue, further solidifying her presence in the fashion world.
US actress Gabrielle Union (2L) and her husband former professional basketball player Dwayne Wade pose with daughters Zaya Wade (L) and Kaavia James Union Wade (2R) as they arrive for the “Cheaper by the Dozen” Disney premiere at the El Capitan theatre in Hollywood, California, March 16, 2022. (Photo by CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images)
And for Zaya, this journey is about more than just visibility. “My confidence has grown, I’ve stepped into myself, especially starting out,” she told ELLE. And with role models like SZA in her corner, there’s no doubt she’ll continue doing just that. However, Zaya also showed her tribute to the famous singer.
Zaya Wade’s sneaker tribute to SZA
Zaya Wade found a unique way to honor SZA—through fashion. As Puma’s ambassador, she got the chance to design her first-ever custom sneakers for the brand in 2023. And when it came to inspiration, she turned to music. Specifically, SZA’s “Good Days” from the SOS album and Beyoncé’s “All Up in Your Mind” from Renaissance. These tracks weren’t just songs to her—they represented her journey, growth, and the emotions that defined her year.
And Zaya made sure to share her excitement with the world. “I’m so excited to share my custom Palermos with everyone. I had so much fun with the designing process and being able to incorporate music into them,” she wrote on Instagram. “Music has been such a vital part of my life, and the SOS and Renaissance albums are two albums that have had a great impact on me, so I had to reflect on my takeaway from those albums. ‘Good days on my mind’ and ‘All up in your mind’ both speak to my feelings about 2023 and how I’ve grown as a person.”
Her parents were quick to show their love. Dwyane Wade proudly called himself a “proud papa,” while Gabrielle Union simply dropped “love” under his comment. But Zaya’s creative ventures don’t stop at sneakers.
So one thing is sure, Zaya will continue to push boundaries in both style and self-expression.
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