In an industry often criticized for being superficial, Gabrielle Union stands as a beacon of fearless advocacy. From speaking out against discrimination against Black female athletes in the WNBA to supporting those close to her through sensitive issues and accomplishments, the 51-year-old has earned a reputation as one of the most supportive women in the industry. And now, the star is making waves once again with her latest act of support for her fellow artists.
The Bring It On star’s recent Instagram Stories celebrated her new film One of Them Days, directed by KeKi Palmer and starring SZA, with an enthusiastic “I can’t wait!” However, this is just the latest example of her consistent support and dedication to her fellow artists. We amplify important voices in the entertainment industry.
Union and Palmer’s connection runs deeper than just Hollywood fun. In 2020, the two made headlines for their powerful collaboration on GLAMOR, which focused on anti-black hair discrimination, garnering millions of views and sparking important conversations about workplace bias. Union said, “When I first started working, I was told by many people that I should never wear my hair natural for competition,” but Palmer said, “Human resources told me that my hair should be worn at the back.” I was told that I looked more professional if I tied my hair up into a bun.” It became curly. ” The discussion highlighted their personal experiences with hair discrimination and the broader impact of the Crown Act, a law aimed at banning race-based hair discrimination in schools and workplaces.
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However, the union’s argument goes beyond hair discrimination. One of Hollywood’s most vocal figures, she has always said her time for stumbling over inequality in the entertainment industry is over. Following his high-profile exit from America’s Got Talent in 2019, a formal complaint was filed against NBC, citing racism and a toxic work environment. This sparked an industry-wide discussion about workplace culture in television, and NBC subsequently revised its procedures for reporting discrimination complaints.
In the realm of representation, Union’s own production company, I’ll Have Another, has become a powerhouse in the business of diverse storytelling, developing projects that center marginalized souls and experiences. She produced “The Inspection,” a powerful recruit drama about a gay Marine, and “Truth Be Told,” about justice and media accountability.
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August 5, 2024. Paris, France. Dwyane Wade and wife Gabrielle Union pose for a photo at the Team USA House at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Required Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images
Union’s support of Palmer and SZA’s latest project demonstrates her commitment to uplifting fellow Black artists by pushing creative boundaries. Palmer and SZA’s collaborative film “One of Them Days” promises to be an innovative exploration of two black women’s experiences in a world of unemployment. But despite speaking out against discrimination for so long, the actress has once been the victim of backlash.
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When Gabrielle Union sparked controversy
Union, who has always been known for her outspoken personality and social justice advocate, once revealed her and husband Dwyane Wade’s unique approach to managing their finances: splitting all expenses strictly 50-50. However, it has been controversial.
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During an episode of the podcast “Idea Generation” shared by X’s Black Millionaires, Union shared that she and Wade always had the idea of splitting their finances equally. “It’s strange that I’m the head of the household, because in this household we split everything 50/50, but also in other households that each of us has to support. I always have a gorilla on my back. There are people like, “You should work more, you should work more.” Oh, are you going to sleep? You know, somebody might not eat it,” Union said during the podcast.
However, fans did not buy Union’s statements and even questioned the ethics the couple followed. But a few days later, Wade appeared on the podcast “Club Shay Shay” and cleared the air, saying the only things the two share are the expenses of their home and their 4-year-old daughter Kaavia. The incident highlighted the fact that stars can also be the subject of controversy, despite their great contributions to the community.
