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SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 12: Dahveon Morris, Jolinda Wade, Zaya Wade, 2023 inductee Dwyane Wade, Kaavia James Wade, Gabrielle Union and Zaire Wade attend the 2023 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Induction at Symphony Hall on August 12, 2023 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

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SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 12: Dahveon Morris, Jolinda Wade, Zaya Wade, 2023 inductee Dwyane Wade, Kaavia James Wade, Gabrielle Union and Zaire Wade attend the 2023 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Induction at Symphony Hall on August 12, 2023 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
Just like at the Met Gala 2024, the LGBTQ+ community held their own Gala. This year, they celebrated the annual event Saturday night at the Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Center. With over 900 supporters and an array of entertainment celebrities, the night was not only enlivened by their presence but also raised $1.6 million. The event was a hit, featuring a unique blend of highly dedicated LGBTQ+ community leaders and advocates. However, one standout celebrity stole the entire limelight: Dwyane Wade‘s daughter, Zaya Wade.
In 2020, Zaya openly identified herself as transgender. Since then, she has emerged as a model and an LGBTQ+ advocate. This led her to the red carpet of the LGBTQ+ community’s annual Gala, where she truly shone. To share this recent success with her followers, she took to her Instagram account and uploaded a story featuring her Gala photos.

via Getty
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)
She captivated everyone at the Gala, stunning in a black ensemble featuring a black bottom, a long-sleeved top adorned with unique silver stones, a black rhinestone hat, and matching black stiletto heels. Within hours of posting the pictures, she started making waves in the fashion world on her own terms. But that’s not the only interesting part about her recent appearance.
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Zaya dazzled on the red carpet, thriving in her modeling career despite the absence of her father, Dwyane Wade, and stepmother, Gabrielle Union. But why?
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Zaya Wade shines solo…
The last time Zaya walked the runway was for Miu Miu at Paris Fashion Week. Everything was quite similar to the LGBTQ+ Gala, but the key difference was her parents’ remarkable presence. Both of her parents, sporting all-black outfits paired with sunglasses, sat in the front row and cheered for her.
Soon after the runway walk, a glimpse of the interview was posted on the NBA champion’s Twitter account with the caption “Just an icon living,” alongside a photograph of himself and his wife. Because of this, both her parents were expected to accompany her at the Gala. Though she stunned the show, her parents’ presence was missed.
Just an icon living. Zaya’s @MIUMIUofficial debut 👏🏿👏🏿 😎 pic.twitter.com/JEj8BwQ4pL
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) March 7, 2023
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As of now, there are no updates on the reason behind their absence. It seems they might want their daughter to be independent at the event. However, their absence has been the major reason for raising eyebrows for many. Now, the question is: Will Zaya be accompanied by her parents at the next event, or will she continue to shine on her own?
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