Zaya Wade is getting candid about life as a college student. The daughter of NBA great Dwyane Wade shared insight into her first year of college, including how she’s been adjusting to life away from her dad and stepmom Gabrielle Union. “Being away from your parents is hard,” Zaya exclusively told E! News at the second annual ball for Translatable, a non-profit organisation started by the university student and her dad to create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth, May 30. “It’s really hard but also it’s exciting and it’s fun and it’s freeing and I think I’ve learned to get out of my shell a lot more and be more sociable.” “And I feel like I can go up to people that I’ve never met and just strike up a conversation,” she added, “and I think I’m just starting to connect with people more and I think that’s what college is about is just connection.” As for what advice Dwyane-dad to Zaya, 19, and Zaire, 24, with ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches, Xavier, 12, with ex Aja Metoyer, as well as Kaavia, 7, with Gabrielle-gave her ahead of starting her first semester? “My dad told me not to mess it up,” Zaya quipped, “that he is paying tuition and it is expensive.”
Zaya details challenges of being away from parents during first year of college
Published on: June 2, 2026 11:27 AM