Gabrielle Union Says Stepdaughter Zaya Wade, 18, Is 'Very, Very Happy Where She's at' amid First Year of College (Exclusive) Toria SheffieldJanuary 31, 2026 at 9:00 AM 0 Zaya Wade and Gabrielle Union in 2022 CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Gabrielle Union says stepdaughter Zaya Wade, 18, is living her best life at college Gabrielle revealed exclusively to PEOPLE that Zaya, a vocal LGBTQ+ activist, is currently pursuing her passion for science Gabrielle, 53, is married to Zaya's dad, NBA star Dwyane Wade Gabrielle Union shared that stepdaughter Zaya Wade is thriving in her first year of college.
- - Gabrielle Union Says Stepdaughter Zaya Wade, 18, Is 'Very, Very Happy Where She's at' amid First Year of College (Exclusive)
Toria SheffieldJanuary 31, 2026 at 9:00 AM
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Zaya Wade and Gabrielle Union in 2022
CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty
Gabrielle Union says stepdaughter Zaya Wade, 18, is living her best life at college
Gabrielle revealed exclusively to PEOPLE that Zaya, a vocal LGBTQ+ activist, is currently pursuing her passion for science
Gabrielle, 53, is married to Zaya's dad, NBA star Dwyane Wade
Gabrielle Union shared that stepdaughter Zaya Wade is thriving in her first year of college.
Union, who is married to Zaya's dad, NBA star Dwyane Wade, caught up with PEOPLE for a recent PEOPLE 10 in 10 interview, and shared that Zaya, 18, is currently "very, very happy" pursuing her love of science.
"She's found other people who are just as into research and data and astrobiology," Gabrielle, 53, explained.
Gabrielle Union, Zaya Wade and Dwyane Wade at the Out100 Celebration in L.A. on Dec. 11, 2024
Amy Sussman/Getty
"I'm gonna say that [Dwayne and I] probably failed in that department," she jokingly added. "Because she would say things and we're like [nods head], and I'm just trying to Google under the table — I have no idea what [she's] talking about."
"She's working with some of the world's leading biologists, so she's very, very happy where she's at," she continued.
In addition to pursuing her degree, Zaya is also a vocal LGBTQ+ activist. The model and influencer came out as transgender in 2020 and has been consistently speaking up about the importance of queer rights.
Zaya Wade and Gabrielle Union at Netflix is a Joke event in Inglewood, Calif., on May 9, 2024
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty
During the PEOPLE in 10 interview, Union shared her advice for parents navigating how to best support kids on a similar journey.
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"As long as you lead with love and that your child knows that you will be there no matter what, and [that] we can figure this out together and that I'm gonna make mistakes but please correct me … so I can learn to not make the same mistakes more than once …. As long as you start with, 'My child is not disposable,' [you] kinda can't go wrong after that," Union said.
Kaavia Union Wade, Zaya Wade and Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union/Instagram
"Just lead with love and respect," she added. "Your child's peace and safety should be your number one concern. Less … 'How are the neighbors or family members going to react?' "
Union, who is a partner and investor with the hot flash treatment LynkUET, also discussed another topic she hopes to shine a brighter light on: menopause.
"It challenges you to look at life differently and not as an ending, but as a beginning," she said of the new phase of life.
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"Initially, I felt shame. I felt my value as a woman was diminishing. I felt isolated. And over time, now, I feel empowered, and I'm gonna talk about it, and I'm not gonna lose a thing," she added.
on People
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: January 31, 2026 at 04:45PM on Source: MARIO MAG
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