At her June 23 kindergarten graduation, Kaavia James Union Wade, daughter of actress Gabrielle Union and NBA legend Dwyane Wade, surprised the audience and her famous parents. Dressed in a bright yellow cap and matching stole, she furtively posed the question: “Kaavia, what would you like to be when you grow up?” Her response was simple, yet heartfelt: “I would like to be an actor.” The moment triggered cheers, applause, and proud smiles from both her classmates and parents.
Gabrielle Union took to TikTok to share the moment, insisting it “was not rehearsed”, adding a light-hearted caption: “caught Kaav in 4k, but trust me, I can’t make this up.” The clip captured Kaavia’s lively spirit and clear affection for the stage. As she blew a kiss to the crowd and hopped off the podium, Gabrielle noted: “I swear this was not staged.” Her words confirmed the moment’s authenticity and charm.
Channeling Mom’s Career
Gabrielle Union has built a flourishing acting career spanning decades. She rose to prominence with roles in She’s All That, Bring It On, Touching Down, and more recently The Perfect Find and Being Mary Jane. As a mom, she has voiced pride in her daughter’s bold ambition. In an interview after the ceremony, she laughed that Kaavia’s announcement was “totally unplanned” but “very her.”
Dwyane Wade, Kaavia’s father, stood alongside Gabrielle in the audience, beaming. Their family moment was made even more memorable by Kaavia’s whimsical dance and confident declaration. The couple also co-parent Gabrielle’s stepdaughter Zaya, who is preparing for college alongside Kaavia for this school year.
Sibling Support and Family Love
Gabrielle recently shared how Kaavia and her older sister Zaya enjoyed a special bond. Zaya, now a high school senior, would often join Kaavia at lunchtime at kindergarten—“during Kaav’s lunch, Zaya comes and hangs out with Kaav”—creating touching moments this school year.
Gabrielle added that while the family is “scared but excited” about Zaya heading to college in the fall, they’re making the most of every moment together. The kindergarten graduation, with Kaavia’s surprise proclamation, was a bright highlight amid transitions.
Gabrielle’s social media post, and the crowd’s delighted reaction, suggest Kaavia may already relish performing. As a parent, Gabrielle expressed that she and Dwyane will nurture whatever path Kaavia chooses: “It’s her body. These are her choices.”
Kaavia’s clear-eyed declaration, “I would like to be an actor,” reflects both her admiration for her mother and her own emerging confidence.