Girl dads are a different breed. This is something that all of us have heard quite a few times. Well, this is true even when the father-daughter duo has celebrity status. Zaya Wade and her father, Dwyane Wade, have always shared a strong bond—one that goes beyond basketball courts and bright lights. Their teamwork recently took a new form with the launch of Translatable, an online community offering resources and support for LGBTQIA+ youth and their families. But while the initiative is making waves, it’s their at-home connection and Wade’s unwavering advocacy through Zaya’s journey that truly stands out.

“As an African American male, to be so openly and outwardly accepting,” Zaya, 17, told Seventeen in an interview. “Because honestly, him being raised in a traditional Black household in Chicago…the culture there isn’t very queer-friendly. I hope that it will continue to inspire people to allow themselves to learn and understand queerness before bashing it.”

So, how does Wade ensure he stays connected with his daughter’s world? Simple—he listens. “My daughter Zaya was 17 turning 18 and probably more than any of my kids, me and her have to communicate the most because I don’t understand a lot in her world,” he admitted. “And so for me to understand…besides me going and reading and finding information from others, I get it from her.”

But it’s not just about casual conversations. Wade takes an active role, making sure Zaya feels heard.

“I lay across that bed, I sit there for hours and we communicate and we talk about all the things that are what you would perceive as comfortable or uncomfortable,” he explained in his podcast. “And we talk about it all. So I’m in the know and I’m aware of whatever she’s willing to share with me. But I ask questions, you know what I mean?”

And Zaya? She’s got another way of keeping their bond strong.

Dwyane Wade and Zaya bond over late-night binge-watching

Turns out, Dwyane Wade isn’t just a basketball Hall of Famer—he’s also a Heartstopper superfan. And it’s not just any show for him; it’s how he connects with his 17-year-old daughter, Zaya. During a profile interview with Seventeen, Zaya revealed how their shared love for the series started with a simple movie night. When her dad first set it up, she wasn’t sure what to expect.

Like any Gen Z teen, she walked in cautiously. Wade had gone all out—popcorn, candy, the full setup. But Zaya, like most teens when their parents try too hard, was ready to roll her eyes and move on. The whole scene had the potential to be another one of those awkward “dad trying to relate” moments.

But then, Wade dropped the magic words: “This new show came out, Heartstopper.” Instantly, her skepticism turned to excitement. “Oh my god!” she responded. They started watching—one episode, then another, and before they knew it, they were deep into the series.

“When I tell you it was 1 in the morning and we were on episode eight of nine,” Zaya recalled.

What began as a simple TV night turned into an all-night binge session, proving once again that Wade will do whatever it takes to stay connected with his daughter—whether that means advocating for her in public or watching a teen drama until the early hours.