ALL THAT GLITTERS IS GABRIELLE

We peek behind the curtain at the rise and rise of Hollywood’s darling, Gabrielle Union.

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There’s something truly remarkable about going through tough times and emerging stronger than ever. When Gabrielle Union graced our screens as the fierce Mary Jane Paul in the hit show Being Mary Jane, she inspired countless women to chase their dreams with tenacity. But behind the scenes, her life wasn’t always as polished as her characters was. Amid rumours of a cheating partner, struggles with fertility and battles with mental health, Gabrielle has emerged as a powerhouse of persistence and resilience.

She once said, “You don’t get to go into the room with the same energy you left with. You have to have learned something.” From her early days in 90s teen classics to taking over Tinseltown, Gabrielle’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. And now at 51, the award-winning actor embodies timeless beauty, immense talent and an entrepreneurial spirit.

FROM NEBRASKA TO HOLLYWOOD
Growing up in Omaha, a city in the US state of Nebraska, Gabrielle’s early years were shaped by the values of hard work and resilience instilled by her parents, Sylvester and Theresa. These lessons helped her navigate adolescence in a predominantly white community, preparing her for Hollywood’s diverse roles and challenges.

When her parents split up after 30 years of marriage, she said, “They handled their divorce and our subsequent transition into a blended family with grace, dignity and respect. They always put us first and didn’t involve us. I’m lucky that I can mirror what my parents did and always put the kids first.”

Despite being raised by pretty grounded parents, Gabrielle grew up with self-esteem issues relating to being one of the few African-American children in her environment. When she was younger, she believed that “blonde was the ideal of beauty, and if I looked nothing like that, then I must be ugly”.

She’s spent years navigating these issues, especially in the demanding entertainment industry. Nevertheless, she burst onto the scene in iconic teen films like She’s All That and 10 Things I Hate About You, capturing hearts and setting the stage for a stellar career. Her role as Isis in Bring It On turned her into a household name.

This success opened doors to roles in Bad Boys II, Deliver Us from Eva and Think Like a Man, showcasing her versatility and earning her a devoted fan base. She reached a point where she didn’t let the tough industry and her insecurities get her down.

“Now, we’re [black women] on the vibe of ‘Love me exactly as I am, or not.’ I’m so happy in my own skin, I’m so happy in my own body, and I’m so happy in my own identity. It’s refreshing,” she says.

SHINING ON TV AND BEYOND
Gabrielle’s talent truly shone in the BET series Being Mary Jane (2013– 2019) where she played a successful yet complex news anchor. Her performance captivated audiences and earned critical acclaim. But Gabrielle’s talents extend beyond the screen.

In 2017, she launched Flawless by Gabrielle Union, a haircare line for women with textured hair. It emphasises affordability and accessibility, empowering women to embrace their natural beauty. Her entrepreneurial spirit continued with Proudly, a babycare brand focusing on the unique needs of children of colour, co-founded with her husband, Dwyane Wade (she wed the NBA legend in 2014).

These ventures showcase her business acumen and inspire others to follow their entrepreneurial dreams.

LOVE AND FAMILY TIES
Gabrielle’s personal life is a testament to love and partnership. Her relationship with Dwyane, which began in 2009 and culminated in a fairy-tale wedding, is one of Hollywood’s most cherished love stories. They welcomed their daughter, Kaavia, in 2018 via surrogate after Gabrielle shared her struggles with infertility.

This openness sparked crucial conversations about women’s health. Gabrielle emphasised, “The journey is hard and has risks, but I believe it’s worth it. I believe I am worth it.” Her advocacy for women’s health empowers other women to take control of their own narratives and health journeys.

Gabrielle showcases her nurturing spirit as a stepmother to Dwyane’s three children from previous relationships (Zaire, Zaya and Xavier) and his nephew Dahveon. Their blended family is a beacon of warmth and inclusivity, advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights, especially in support of Dwyane’s transgender daughter, Zaya. Their public stance on acceptance and love provides hope and support to many other families.

When Dwyane spoke at the NAACP Image Awards in 2023 – where the couple received the President’s Award – he addressed Zaya directly: “As your father, all I’ve wanted to do was get it right. I’ve watched how gracefully you’ve taken on public scrutiny. And even though it’s not easy, I admire how you handle the ignorance in our world. To say that your village is proud of you is an understatement. My role is to be a facilitator to your hopes, wishes and dreams.”

Gabrielle followed, praising the NAACP for advancing the lives of black people through relentless challenge, pain, triumph and change. She highlighted the importance of collective activism, asking, “What will we do with this moment?”

SHOWING UP FOR EACH OTHER
The couple, who have been married for 10 years now, admit that marriage comes with ebbs and flows, but it’s all about learning from each other through good and bad times. Back in 2013, before they tied the knot, it was revealed Dwyane fathered a child with another woman while he was in a relationship with Gabrielle.

The couple survived the scandal despite attempts by Dwyane to break it off. This was a scary time for him, he has admitted, as he was initially too scared to tell Gabrielle the truth. “I tried to break up with her... ‘Hey, things have been bad lately’, ‘Hey, we’ve been having a little distance in our relationship anyway’... I tried all that. She kept showing up,” he revealed on Club Shay Shay, a podcast hosted by Shannon Sharpe. “You’re thinking about it all; it’s all scary. But you know that this is going to hurt someone that you’ve been building a relationship with and a life with.”

They decided to go to couples therapy and eventually moved on from the debacle. The conversation on the podcast led to Dwyane advising others. He claimed that while conversations during such a situation can prove challenging, he owed his wife the conversation and the efforts afterwards. “It’s about learning about each other, learning what she wants for her life and career, and trying to support all those things,” Dwyane told People magazine.

Gabrielle echoed those sentiments, adding, “This is both of our second marriages, and we’re super transparent about that. We didn’t do it right the first time around. There is another way – to be more collaborative and equitable. We humble ourselves, listen and meet in the middle.” Gabrielle married her first husband, Chris Howard (also an NFL player) in 2001, but it ended four years later. She later said she had “rushed into the relationship for the wrong reasons. In my 20s, I was all about getting the ring.”

Fast-forward to May 2024, Dwyane and Gabrielle couldn’t be happier. Before heading out to support his team, Chicago Sky, against the Connecticut Sun team, Gabrielle posted photos on Instagram featuring her look. “Heading to the court like Spalding” read the caption to the post. And it seems the one most impressed by this look was none other than D-Wade. Taking to his Instagram account, the NBA champ posted a series of Gabrielle’s photos from the game, with the caption. “Let me interrupt this program to say DAMN, my wife is beautiful!”

ACTIVISM AND DOING WHAT'S RIGHT
Gabrielle is an advocate for survivors of sexual assault and those affected by injustice. She addressed the killing of Trayvon Martin in 2012, stating that “When you have influence, I think it’s the responsible thing to do, to speak out on an issue when you see injustice. I’m still fighting for Trayvon... we all should.”

In the months following Trayvon’s death, Gabrielle supported a petition that called for Florida District Attorney Norman Wolfinger to bring charges against George Zimmerman. After he was acquitted of the charges in July 2013, Gabrielle remarked, “Apparently walking while black is a crime punishable by death.” [In April this year, a decade later, the case was reopened and Zimmerman will go to trial.]

Gabrielle is also unafraid to call herself out after admitting to being a ‘mean girl’ to her fellow sisters while working her way up in Hollywood. Oprah Winfrey said she was inspired by Gabrielle’s acceptance speech for the Fierce and Fearless Award at the 2013 Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon, in which the actor admitted she once “revelled in gossip and rumours”. Oprah said she’d “never heard anyone be that honest in public or private about the competition and fierce drive to be seen and succeed in Hollywood”.

Gabrielle Union continues to shine with her boundless energy and passion. Her upcoming projects include a new Netflix film and a TV series based on her memoir, We’re Going to Need More Wine – personal stories and reflections on a range of topics, from sexuality and race to marriage and beauty. Her candid reflections in this memoir reveal her resilience and humour, with Gabrielle describing her book as “the good, the bad, and the WTF”.

By: Mel Ndlovu
Photos: Gallo/Getty images