Gabrielle Union has spent close to half of her life performing on screen. At 26, she delivered still-quoted performances in teen classics Bring It On and 10 Things I Hate About You, moving on to hit film and television roles like the successful (if not slightly complicated and messy) cable news anchor Mary Jane Paul and DEA agent Sydney Burnett. She’s an award-winning actress, best-selling author, writer and producer, but the reason I found myself Zooming with Union just a few weeks ago is for a role that’s landed her in the spotlight time and time again: Mom.
There is no facet of parenthood that Union, now 52, hasn’t seemingly conquered (though she’d beg to differ). From stepping into her own as a step mom to Zaire, 23, Dahveon, 21, Zaya, 17, and Xavier, 11, and setting the example for how to create a blended family with husband Dwyane Wade to welcoming the couple’s daughter, Kaavia, 6. Along the way, she’s proven to give exactly zero fucks about what anyone thinks about her decision to use a surrogate, has been open about her fertility struggles, and become a fierce advocate for stepdaughter Zaya who is transgender.
