When Zaya Wade came out as transgender in 2020, dad Dwyane Wade, and stepmom Gabrielle Union, supported the 12-year-old. This was quite impactful for queer rights. “She’s the strong one in this family. She’s a hero,” Wade shared. But the teenager is more than a strong voice in the community. She is also a model and influencer, who modeled for Tiffany & Co.’s all-gender bracelets, and in 2023, she made her runway debut for Miu Miu at Paris Fashion Week. However, her mother, Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, has been unhappy.

In 2022, she filed a petition in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, alleging that Wade was “positioned to profit from the minor child’s name and gender change.” The mother felt that Zaya was being pressured for financial gain and objected to legally changing her name.

Funches-Wade also claimed, as reported by PEOPLE, that she spoke to her ex-husband in April 2022 in one of his homes in Atlanta where he shared that “a lot of money had been already made and that additional money will be made in relation to our child’s name and gender issue.” Amid this, not only was Zaya granted approval by the court to change her name in 2023, but her modeling career is blazing through too. What’s the latest update?

Well, Zaya Wade has earned another collaboration. This time, she collaborated with the prominent glasses brand, Warby Parker to launch a new product. This partnership is a part of her range of premium glasses, along with other influencers and stars like Natasha Lyonne, David Chang, Jordan Poole, Karefa Johnson, Reece Feldman, and more.

She took to her Instagram account and wrote, “Back at it with @warbyparker. This time I helped design a new edition of my favorite frames, Baird, in crimson.”

Reimagining Baird for Warby Parker Editions, Zaya matched a transparent, red acetate with warm-toned metal. It starts at $145 with prescription lenses and here are other things they offer:

• Single-vision prescriptions
• Polycarbonate lenses
• Anti-reflective and scratch-resistant lens coatings
• Free shipping & Free returns or exchanges
• Free scratched lens replacement
• FSA, HSA, and insurance accepted

The brand brought out Zaya Wade’s sassy side!

INTERVIEW spoke to Warby Parker’s stars earlier this week and Zaya was asked: Name someone who looks hotter in glasses.
Her response: “Easy. Me, obviously. Love you, Warby.”

Interviewer: “Sunglasses inside: yes or no?”
Zaya Wade: “I unironically wear sunglasses indoors, even though it definitely makes me look bougie as hell. 2/10 would not recommend, but I love a sunny outdoors.”

In the same conversation, she also revealed that she was a fan of pop star Lady Gaga and the R&B pop-funk band Bruno Mars. She even urged her fans to listen to a new single by the aforementioned artists, ‘Die with a Smile’. Additionally, Zaya revealed that her dream was to become the first trans-scientist in the world. She surely has a great vision for her future.

However, this isn’t the only thing going on for the teenager. In May, the father-daughter duo launched their own brand ‘The Translatable Project’, which was aimed at delivering a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community to express themselves and also educate their parents so that adequate support can be provided.

Ultimately, Zaya Wade and Warby Parker’s collaboration is a testament to the power of personal branding in the modern era. By leveraging her story and unique perspective, Zaya has tapped into a lucrative market, joining the ranks of other young, famous influencers who have built successful businesses. What do you think?

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.