BY: Jasmine Franklin
Published 3 weeks ago
Zaya Wade is stepping into her era with purpose, power, and plenty of lip gloss. At 17, she balances life as a full-time student, model, trans advocate, and co-founder of the nonprofit Translatable, which she launched with her father, Dwyane Wade. Now, she’s joined MAC Cosmetics’ latest “Born Famous” campaign as one of its next-gen beauty icons. Alongside Amelia Gray and Francesca Scorsese, she’s showing the world what it means to create a legacy rooted in authenticity.
The campaign features MAC’s newest launch, the Lipglass Air Non-Sticky Gloss, but her presence is what truly catches the light. She’s no stranger to life in the spotlight, but she carries it with a kind of self-assuredness that goes far deeper than surface-level glam. That self-image didn’t appear overnight. Zaya Wade credits Gabrielle Union with helping her understand beauty, not only in appearance, but in the way beauty radiates from knowing who you are.
A Beauty Industry Trailblazer at 17
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Wade has become a force of visibility and pride for young trans people everywhere. Whether turning heads on the red carpet or sharing moments of self-expression online, she sends a clear message: trans youth deserve to take up space. The beauty industry has noticed. Still, she makes it clear that her evolution into a beauty icon didn’t happen alone. She credits her stepmother for shaping her understanding of beauty and for sharing the best lessons in confidence and care.
“She’s definitely really helped me in the hair department. You know what I mean?,” Wade told Out. “Something that I feel like when we say beauty, we don’t always think of. But I mean, without her, my hair would be a hot mess. 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,“ she continued.
For Wade, beauty is power. It’s the daily decision to show up with confidence, to take pride in who she is, and to reflect that pride in everything, from her hair to her lip gloss.
The Power of Gabrielle Union’s Influence
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The teen first opened up about Union’s impact when she made her magazine cover debut at the age of 15. In an interview with DAZED, she reflected on the people who shaped her sense of identity. She named Union without hesitation. She’s the woman who offered support not just in statements but in everyday moments at home. Union modeled what it means to embrace every part of yourself, especially when the world makes it hard.
“It’s about being you and expressing yourself the way you want to,“ she shared. “She tries to teach me that beauty standards are arbitrary and that they don’t mean anything. They don’t matter anymore; what people thought was the standard is not. And just that being myself is the best technique out there.”
She took those lessons to heart with clarity, joy, and strength.
Why We Love Gabrielle Union
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Union has consistently championed self-love, especially for Black girls and LGBTQIA+ youth. From speaking affirmations aloud to celebrating her step-daughter’s transition with unwavering support, Union shows up—every single time. Her presence matters, especially for someone navigating the intersections of visibility, identity, and adolescence.
Wade speaks about Union with deep admiration. In a world that critiques loudly and listens rarely, Union listened, supported, and created space.
A Legacy of Love and Liberation
Wade’s story shows what’s possible when a young person feels seen, supported, and celebrated. Zaya Wade credits Gabrielle Union with understanding beauty, and in doing so, she invites others to define beauty on their own terms. Her legacy is already in motion. As she continues to grow, she brings others along with her—boldly, joyfully, and beautifully.
What’s the most powerful beauty lesson someone in your life has taught you? Share it in the comments.
