Zaya Wade is navigating the challenges of dating as a teenager, but one major hurdle for potential partners is her dad, NBA legend Dwyane Wade.
In a new interview with Seventeen magazine, the 17-year-old social media influencer revealed that her father’s intimidating presence has scared off many of her love interests.
“The people I’ve dated have all been afraid of him in the first interaction,” Zaya shared. “He’s gigantic and he has this deep, booming voice.”
Dwyane, 43, has previously expressed concern about Zaya’s dating life, but Zaya reassured that his tough exterior is mostly for show. “His scary facade only lasts so long, and you actually see his real personality.”
Balancing Dating and High School
While Zaya is currently focused on her studies, she admitted that balancing school and relationships can be difficult. Fortunately, she has the full support of her father and stepmother, actress Gabrielle Union, 52, regarding her personal life.
“Me and my stepmom love to dish the dirt and tap into the high school gossip,” Zaya said. “She gets excited for me when I’m like, ‘Oh, I like this person.’”
Dwyane, on the other hand, takes a more old-school approach.
“He tries to scare any person I have interest in,” she laughed, adding that Dwyane and Gabrielle insist on meeting anyone she dates.
Still, Zaya admitted that her dad can be unintentionally embarrassing at times.
“My dad, 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. “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?’ And when he posts on his Instagram and he’s fully shirtless, I’m like, ‘No. No. No. You have children on this app.’”
A Father’s Growth and Support
Zaya, who has been open about her journey as a transgender teen, also expressed appreciation for how Dwyane has evolved in his understanding of LGBTQ+ identity.
“Honestly, him being raised in a traditional Black household in Chicago… the culture there isn’t very queer-friendly,” she reflected. “I hope that it will continue to inspire people to allow themselves to learn and understand queerness before bashing it.”
Despite the occasional embarrassment and protective instincts, Zaya knows she has the unwavering support of both Dwyane and Gabrielle. With their encouragement, she continues to navigate high school, relationships, and self-discovery on her own terms.
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