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![Dwyane Wade posing for a picture.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.vibe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GettyImages-1485893847-e1720703153920.jpg?w=910&h=511&crop=1)
Dwyane Wade hasn’t shied away from dabbling in the soft-man lifestyle, but as Wade teases that he may be starting a business, the internet has had enough. During an interview with CBS Mornings, Jericka Duncan spoke to the former Miami Heat player about his love for painting his nails. When asked about the “impetus” for painting his nails, Wade responded with one word: “Expression.”
The NBA great then detailed how painting his nails represents the larger picture of his creativity. “I’m creative, I’m expressive, and there’s so many ways to do that,” Wade added. After some playful banter, Duncan asked when the athlete was going to go for another manicure, to which Wade admitted that starting a business based around a nail polish line was potentially in the works.
“I actually thinking about jumping into the nail line… Yeah, I’ve been thinking about it. Like I’ve been in it so long. And I’m like, You know what, it could be a good time, but I got some cool ideas and I’m exploring. I’ve been having some conversations on my own about exploring,” Wade admitted.
As he continued, Dwyane recalled how his relationship with his 6-year-old daughter Kaavia greatly impacted his love for nail care. He described it as a way to deepen his bond with her while practicing and teaching her self-love.
“One of my favorite things to do when it comes to this is actually sitting down with my daughter and getting my nails painted and painting hers,” he said. “That’s the time that we get to connect. Me doing something that she loves and also that I love.”
But everyone doesn’t see Wade’s actions as a means to “connect” with his daughter. In fact, upon release of the footage, social media eviscerated Wade for painting his nails. TikTok netizens blasted the Flash for his form of “expression,” labeling him “gay.”
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“Come on out the closet baby, it’s 2024 and it’s ok to be gay,” one account typed on TikTok. “We need more Black doctors, not a nail polish line,” another person asserted. “I caught a lil eye contact after she said ‘so when are we getting the new manicure.’ His eyes sparkled a lil,” someone else quipped.
Instagram and X/Twitter users doubled down on the jokes, calling out the NBA Champion and continuing the slightly homophobic rhetoric. “That boy sweeter than my grandmother’s Kool aid,” an account shot off. “Just come out already! What woman’s husband is talking about starting a nail polish business,” another account stated. “Already new this dude was zesty awhile back! Feminine tendencies,” somebody proclaimed.
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But, while they were in the minority, there were people taking up for Wade. Accounts tried to give him the benefit of the doubt and argued against the notion that painting his nails and spending time with his daughter was a sign that he’s gay.
“So much insecurity here I hate to see it. I hope he goes through with [making a nail polish business]. Plus bonus content seeing him with his daughter melts my heart,” a woman typed. “It’s crazy how an active expression can suddenly determine our gender or our sexual preference in the eye of the public. If a man is in the kitchen cooking is he gay? If a woman is painting a house is she a lesbian? I just don’t understand how we label people based on something they want to do,” another account chimed in.
Watch the video above.
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