As the representative of a high profile beauty campaign, Zaya Wade is stepping out of the shadow of her celebrity parents to embark on her public life as a model. At the same time, Wade discussed in a new interview how her mom has supported not only her transition but her whole beauty journey.
Up until now, Zaya Wade has been chiefly known as the daughter of actress Gabrielle Union and NBA star Dwyane Wade. The family has repeatedly landed in the spotlight for the wholesome example Zaya’s parents have set as unwavering supporters of their transgender daughter.
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That support has not just been restricted to Zaya’s gender identity but every facet of her life, including her burgeoning career as a model, her college studies and her nonprofit venture Translatable.
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Now Zaya has been named the next-gen beauty icon for MAC’s new “Born Famous” campaign, whose ambassadors are the children of celebrities. “It’s iconic, it’s long-standing, and it’s something that just really sums up girlhood to me,” Zaya said of the honor in a new interview with Out. “And so to get put in a place like that is just satisfying as a trans girl.”
Even as Zaya is well on her way to becoming a role model for others, she credits her mom for helping her navigate her style. “She’s definitely really helped me in the hair department, you know what I mean?” Zaya said.
“In the earlier years, I just did not have a clue how to maintain 4c hair because it’s not something that’s often explained,” she continued, “So having her as a guiding hand for that, whether it’s active or passive, being able to watch her and her makeup journey and her beauty experience… It’s just inspiring to me and how I understand beauty and care in this world.”
Now Zaya is well-equipped to help others level up their beauty game. “My favorite word: Experiment, experiment, experiment,” she said, giving advice to beauty beginners. “It is such an experiential thing. You can’t just think one day, ‘got it.’ You have to go through it.
“I have had many a botched look in the mirror right before a shower – we all know what that’s like – when you feel your most confident to do your makeup because it’s about to be off anyway.”
Another tip Zaya gave, particularly for trans people and people of color, was to focus on skin. “I think it’s a really important thing to educate yourself on skin because that’s the first step to beauty,” she said.
Looking forward to Pride Month, Zaya lamented that she would mostly be in school but teased big plans from her nonprofit. “I feel like we kind of need Pride Month right now, and I need it,” she said. “I get fueled every time Pride Month comes around, and it gives me so much energy for myself, but for my community as well. And I think I really want to express that through Translatable and just the ways that that can go about.”
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