Zaya Wade stole the spotlight at her father’s special event in Florida, though some eagle-eyed netizens couldn’t help but wonder if she was truly at ease.

Zaya Wade was all smiles as she joined the celebration of her father, NBA legend Dwyane Wade, at the “Statues Are Forever” party hosted by FRWD and Revolve on October 25. However, her look on that occasion divided netizens.

The party held at Queen Miami Beach came shortly after the Miami Heat honored Dwyane as the first player to receive a statue outside the team’s arena, recognizing his record as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer and his role, alongside Udonis Haslem, in all three NBA championships.

The celebration was a family affair, with Dwyane’s other children, Zaire and Kaavia, and his wife, actress Gabrielle Union, also showing their support. “written in stone ♥️ [sic],” Gabrielle shared on Instagram, capturing the family’s pride.

While the entire Wade family and their relatives dressed to impress, it was Zaya’s eye-catching ensemble that captured the most attention.

She wore a form-fitting, sleeveless red dress with a square neckline and a thigh-high slit, completing the look with a small black handbag and black heels. Her braids and glasses added a unique touch, highlighting her understated elegance.

Netizens shared mixed reactions to Zaya’s ensemble. “Looks Uncomfortable In Women Clothes [sic],” one user observed, while another agreed, “Love the family but Zaya really look uncomfortable in that dress [sic]!”

Amid the concerns, some fans gushed about Zaya’s vibrant look. “Zaya is BEAUTIFUL ❤️❤️❤️,” one admirer declared while another remarked, “Babyyyy Ms Zayaaaa is eatinggggg😍😍!!! Beautiful family [sic].” Someone else raved, “OK ZAYA!!” ending it with a heart-eyed and fire emojis.

Regardless of netizens’ opinions on her comfort or appearance, Zaya has often shared that her love for fashion is about much more than appearances.

In an October 2023 interview with Elle Magazine, Zaya, who came out as transgender in 2020, opened up about her evolving relationship with style. For Zaya, dressing up is a way to affirm her identity. “To me, it’s about showing the world and myself that I’m just me. I’m still who I am and who I continue to want to be,” she shared.

Zaya credits her parents, who were “always really fashionable,” for sparking her interest. “They always went out in some look, and I think that started it for me. It was so inspiring, because I feel like I am able to channel a lot of their energy and personality through clothes,” she noted.

She found her own way to be creative even though traditional art forms weren’t her calling. “I really wanted to get into the fashion world, because I’m not much of a painter. I was like, art is not for me—but what I can do to express myself is wear a great outfit,” she explained.

Beyond fashion, Zaya is navigating the complexities of growing up in the public eye. In a March 2023 interview with Dazed, she described the experience as a mix of “highs and lows.”

The young fashionista explained that while such public visibility can amplify hate and transphobia, it also allows her to connect with and support other members of the trans community.

“The positives of having such an inclusive platform completely outweigh all of the negativity online, which my support system has enabled me to filter out,” Zaya remarked. Despite the challenges, she hopes to inspire others to live authentically without fear.

Zaya also spoke about her approach to self-care, especially on handling social media scrutiny. She revealed, “I tend not to interact with social media in an excessive way. Boundaries are super healthy.”

To reduce negativity online—especially on Instagram—Zaya filters her comment section so that only trusted, supportive individuals can weigh in. She noted that unnecessary negativity causes stress. “Stress gives you acne and wrinkles, and no one likes that! No one has time for that,” Zaya asserted.

She went on to explain, “Emotionally, [it’s about] knowing that if you are going to put yourself in a situation where you get hate, you should take yourself out of it, or at least have emotional support from friends and family.”

From fashion to mindful social media use, Zaya Wade exemplifies authenticity, embracing her individuality and setting a powerful example of staying true to oneself amid external pressures.