"Stupidity is a part of this world we live in," writes the former NBA star in a post reacting to negative criticism of son Zion's fake nails and crop top in family photo.
Just days after standing behind his wife Gabrielle Union after her ouster from "America's Got Talent," Dwyane Wade is again standing up with love and support; this time for their son Zion against online criticism of the 12-year-old-s fashion choices in a Thanksgiving family portrait.
Union shared the pic to her Instagram page, offering "all praise, gratitude and thankfulness" to all those fans and celebrities who've come out in support of her controversial departure from NBC's summer flagship series.
Gabrielle Union Breaks Silence Over America's Got Talent Ouster Controversy
View StoryLittle did she know -- or perhaps she anticipated it -- but a whole new set of haters were set to emerge with the publication of the picture simply because she and husband Dwyane were accepting their children as they were, choices of self-expression included.
In this case, that meant allowing her stepson Zion to wear a crop-top shirt and fake nails in the official family photos. Though we doubt "allow" is the right word, as there probably wasn't even a question or discussion about it.
I've seen some post-thanksgiving hate on social about my family photo. Stupidity is apart of this world we live in—so i get it. But here's the thing—I've been chosen to lead my family not y'all. So we will continue to be us and support each other with pride, love & a smile! ✌🏾
@DwyaneWade
"I've seen some post-Thanksgiving hate on social about my family photo," Wade wrote on Twitter over the weekend. "Stupidity is a part of this world we live in, so i get it. But here's the thing -- I've been chosen to lead my family not y'all. So we will continue to be us and support each other with pride, love & a smile!"
The images themselves are pure sweetness, with Dwyane holding one-year-old daughter Kaavia and Gabrielle leaning in with love toward her family. After a rough week, it's clear this family is there for one another through the unexpected ups and downs that life throws at them.
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Shortly before posting his missive of support for his family, Wade was reposting positive commentary from fans defending his family's choices. "As a parent my only goal is that my kids feel that i see them, love them and support them," he wrote in response to one who was moved by their choice to allow Zion to express his individuality free of judgment.
It's no surprise that Dwyane and Gabrielle would be so supportive of their son expressing himself in whatever way makes him comfortable, as it is that same attitude that puportedly got Gabrielle into hot water on "AGT" and allegedly led to her losing her job there after one season as a judge.
According to media reports, Union -- who was let go alongside fellow freshman judge Julianne Hough -- was deemed "difficult" because she spoke up about an alleged racist joke Jay Leno told on camera, would ask performers in drag their preferred pronoun, and even called out the show's creator and head judge Simon Cowell for smoking inside the building, which is against the law -- plus, she is reportedly allergic to cigarette smoke.
Prior to Being Let Go, Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough Reportedly Spoke Out About AGT 'Toxic Culture'
View StoryNBC insists that any on-set issues are taken seriously, and says that this panel rotation is just a part of the natural cycle of a show like "AGT." "'America's Got Talent' has a long history of inclusivity and diversity in both our talent and the acts championed by the show," the network and show producer Fremantle said in a joint statement.
Just as he did for Zion, Wade was quick to defend his wife in a series of tweets. "When I got the news that my wife was being fired—my first question was obviously why!?" he wrote in one. "I am still waiting on a good answer to that question."
Still in another, Wade added, "As proud as I am of her being selected as a judge on "AGT," I am even more proud of her standing up for what she stands for."
The family that stands together stays together. And with the kind of love and support evident between Dwyane and Gabrielle, they may just be unbreakable.
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