Gabrielle Union's Stepdaughter, Zaya Wade, Took the Most Stunning Pictures of Her for a Magazine Cover
Zaya Wade, Gabrielle Union's stepdaughter, took the most amazing photos of the actress for her recent Self magazine cover.
- For her newest cover shoot, Gabrielle Union enlisted the talent of someone very close to home—her stepdaughter, Zaya Wade.
- The 13-year-old photographed Union for her new Self magazine cover, and the photos are truly stunning (not that we would expect anything less).
- Union praised Zaya, who publicly came out as transgender earlier this year, on Instagram, writing, "She is a tremendous artist/writer & I'm so happy everyone gets a glimpse of what she can do. Seeing yourself through a child's eyes is quite illuminating" and saying she's "grateful we got this opportunity."
Gabrielle Union has probably never taken a bad photo in her entire life, but her latest shoot, for the cover of Self magazine, is next-level stunning. It also happens to have been shot by Union's 13-year-old stepdaughter, Zaya Wade.
Union took to Instagram this week to share some of her favorite pictures from the photoshoot and to gush about her incredibly talented stepdaughter.
"Beyond proud of @zayawade shooting her 1st cover," Union wrote in the caption of a gallery of images from the shoot. "She is a tremendous artist/writer & I'm so happy everyone gets a glimpse of what she can do. Seeing yourself through a child's eyes is quite illuminating & im grateful we got this opportunity from @selfmagazine."
Union also included one of her favorite quotes from the accompanying Self feature in the post's caption:
“You cannot price your way out of, educate your way out of, move yourself away from racism, anti-Blackness, discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia,” she said. “All of those things exist no matter how successful you are. No matter how you speak. They exist. So this idea of teaching our children to constantly be shape-shifting to make themselves more palatable or less scary for people who are committed to oppressing you anyway, no matter what you do, I rejected it. I started to reject that.” 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
A post shared by Gabrielle Union-Wade (@gabunion)
A photo posted by on
Union also shared some of the incredible photos from her shoot with Zaya that didn't make it into the magazine, captioning them, appropriately, with three fire emojis.
A post shared by Gabrielle Union-Wade (@gabunion)
A photo posted by on
Before the shoot, Union opened up to Self Editor-in-Chief Carolyn Kylstra about the complicated relationship she usually has with photos of herself in magazines and her excitement about collaborating with Zaya on the shoot.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
"I’m always like, there is no way this picture is good. Like, What are you seeing? And it’s so interesting to see different people’s perspectives of you," she explained. “I’m just interested to see myself through Zaya’s eyes. I think that’s really actually…really interesting. Because I trust her. And she has a story to tell. I love her as an artist. I mean, obviously I love her, period, but where her mind is going and where her creativity is going is just dope to see. I’m just really interested to see what she comes up with."
And the feeling was definitely mutual. "The only emotion to describe the way I felt during the photoshoot is pure bliss," Zaya said in a statement after the shoot wrapped. "I finally felt like I was doing something that I loved. It was a great experience."
Zaya publicly came out as transgender earlier this year and has had the full support of both Union and her father, NBA legend Dwyane Wade, who shared his pride for his daughter in an Instagram post announcing his daughter's new chosen name.
"Everyone allow her to re-introduce herself her name is Zaya Wade!" he wrote alongside a photo of Zaya at the Truth Awards in Los Angeles in March. "Last night was Zaya’s first red carpet and we couldn’t have been prouder of how she handled the questions that were asked of her. She has emerged as one of the young faces and voices for the LGBTQ+ community."
A post shared by dwyanewade (@dwyanewade)
A photo posted by on
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
RELATED STORIES
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
Zendaya's Custom Wimbledon White Is Back With a Vengeance
The motif from her 'Challengers' era returns for awards season.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Two of ‘The Later Daters’ Found Love on the Netflix Dating Show—Are the Couples Still Together Today?
Here's what we know about the stars' love lives post-filming.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
There's Still Time to Snag Katie Holmes's Favorite Minimalist Bags for Under $250
Celebrities can't resist this brand's minimalist vegan leather designs.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling Introduce the "Newest Member" of Their Family
"I'm crazy about her and excited to share life."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Jennifer Garner Is Reportedly Ready to Cut Ties With Jennifer Lopez, Unless Their Kids Are Involved
"Her friends feel she shouldn't have allowed herself to get so involved."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Hailey Bieber Shares Her First Photo of Baby Son Jack Blues Since Giving Birth—See the Sweet Shot
So freaking cute.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Actors Who Are Nothing Like Their Most Iconic Characters
Talk about awards-worthy, transformative performances.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
The Question on Everyone's Lips: Did Beyoncé Skip the 2024 MTV VMAs?
It's been a few years since she last graced the carpet with her presence.
By Kelsey Stiegman Published
-
Why Isn't Selena Gomez at the 2024 VMAs?
Her absence became even more noticeable after her bestie Taylor Swift showed up.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Jennifer Lopez Thought Ben Affleck Was a "Changed Man" But Being Married to Him Was "Impossible"
"Friends think he is selfish, sullen, impossible to please most of the time and negative."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published