Siohvaughn Funches makes the allegation in a new filing to object to the athlete's petition for recognition of the 15-year-old's gender and issuance of a new birth certificate.
- Nov 3, 2022
AceShowbiz - Dwyane Wade's ex-wife doesn't approve of their child Zaya Wade changing her name and gender, at least not now. Siohvaughn Funches reportedly filed an objection to the athlete's petition for recognition of the 15-year-old's gender and issuance of a new birth certificate, in which she accused her ex-husband of exploiting their child.
In a petition obtained by The Blast, Siohvaughn argued, "There are multiple factors to be considered by the Court in determining the requests to change the minor child's name and gender." She added, "The minor child is fifteen and one-half years old."
"This matter has been highly reported in the media and there will likely be media pressure on the minor child," she added. "I have concerns that (Dwyane) may be pressuring our child to move forward with the name and gender change in order to capitalize on the financial opportunities that he has received from companies."
She went on to claim that Dwyane told her about how profitable Zaya's identity is. "In April 2022, [Dwyane] invited me to one of his residences in Atlanta, Georgia. During this occasion, [he] informed me 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," she explained.
"[He] told me that he intended to make our child very famous due to the name and gender issue and also informed me that there would be endorsements/contracts associated therewith," Siohvaughn further noted. "I inquired what companies had made deals, or was willing to make deals, with [Dwyane] regarding our child. Zion, who was present at the time, answered that various companies were interested and that Disney was a prospective company."
Siohvaughn further declared in the court documents that she is "concerned that our child is being commercialized at a young age. "I have concerns that [Dwyane] may be pressuring our child to move forward with the name and gender change in order to capitalize on the financial opportunities that he has received from companies," she added, noting that Zaya should wait until she's 18 to legally change her name and gender.
