Being the child of an NBA legend comes with unique experiences-some thrilling, some frustrating, and some just plain embarrassing.
For 17-year-old Zaya Wade, having Dwyane Wade as a father means navigating life with a dad who is both an intimidating figure to outsiders and a source of occasional second-hand embarrassment.
Dwyane Wade’s presence: A blessing and a challenge
In a recent interview with Seventeen magazine, Zaya opened up about how her father’s larger-than-life presence affects her personal life, particularly when it comes to dating.
“The people I’ve dated have all been afraid of him in the first interaction,” she revealed.
“He’s gigantic, and he has this deep, booming voice.”
While first impressions might be intimidating, those who get to know Wade quickly realize he’s far from the stern, towering figure they expect.
“The facade only lasts for so long, and you actually see his real personality. He’s a teddy bear.”
Despite her admiration for her father, Zaya can’t help but feel embarrassed by some of his fashion choices.
“At the end of the day, he is a man. He’s just always going to give man, and honestly, as an entire gender, they embarrass me,” she joked.
One particular outfit stood out as a personal cringe moment.
“So, when my dad shows up to a party, and he’s wearing a suit with no undershirt on, it’s like, ‘What are you doing?'”
She also finds his Instagram posts a bit too revealing.
“When he posts on his Instagram and he’s fully shirtless, I’m like, ‘No. No. No! You have children on this app.'”
Despite the occasional embarrassment, Dwyane Wade‘s passion for fashion has played a key role in supporting his daughter’s latest project. In 2023, the father-daughter duo launched Translatable, a digital platform designed to provide a safe space for young people to share their creativity, from poetry to photography.
To fund the initiative, Wade collaborated with The Real Real, a luxury resale website, selling items from his personal wardrobe. The proceeds went toward Translatable, reinforcing his commitment to supporting and uplifting trans youth.
While Zaya may roll her eyes at her father’s bold fashion choices, she also recognizes the ways in which he uses his influence for good. For all the moments of embarrassment, one thing remains certain-Dwyane Wade is a father who listens, supports, and stands by his daughter every step of the way.
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