By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Trans Model Zaya Wade Continues To Blaze Trails With New Puma Campaign
Basketball player Dwyane Wade and actress Gabrielle Union's daughter is making a name for herself.
Zaya Wade, daughter of former Miami Heat basketball star Dwayne Wade and actress Gabrielle Union, is the trailblazing trans model who has walked for Mui Mui at Paris Fashion Week, modeled for Tiffany and Co.’s “all gender” jewelry collection, and is now being featured in Puma’s new ad campaign.
Wade appears in the campaign for Puma’s "Forever. Classic." line of suede sneakers alongside Iris Apatow (daughter of director Judd Apatow and actress Leslie Mann), Caleb McLaughlin (Stranger Things), and the late Angus Cloud.
The young model, who came out as trans in 2020, spoke about what repping the sneakers for such a huge brand means to her.
“It means that I get to highlight the good experiences of being a young trans girl, while also being able to help inspire other trans kids to live their life unapologetically,” she said as part of the campaign.
Wade’s father, who played for the Miami Heat, announced earlier this year that he moved his family from Florida to California in direct response to the anti-trans laws being passed in the state.
“That’s another reason why I don’t live in that state. A lot of people don’t know that. I have to make decisions for my family, not just personal, individual decisions,” the NBA hall-of-famer said in an interview with Headliners.
“I mean, obviously, the tax [situation] is great,” he continued. “Having Wade County is great. But my family would not be accepted or feel comfortable there. And so that’s one of the reasons why I don’t live there.”
For her part, Wade is excited to be front and center in Puma’s ad campaign, saying, “I’ve been a huge fan of the brand before I was in the fashion world,” she added. “I’m grateful to be a part of the ‘Forever.Classic.’ campaign honoring their classic sneakers and the next generation of history makers.”
At a time when anti-trans legislation is on the rise, positive trans representation isn’t just necessary, but vital.
Ariel Messman-Rucker is an Oakland-born journalist who now calls the Pacific Northwest her home. When she’s not writing about politics and queer pop culture, she can be found reading, hiking, or talking about horror movies with the Zombie Grrlz Horror Podcast Network.
Ariel Messman-Rucker is an Oakland-born journalist who now calls the Pacific Northwest her home. When she’s not writing about politics and queer pop culture, she can be found reading, hiking, or talking about horror movies with the Zombie Grrlz Horror Podcast Network.
