Gabrielle Union has long established herself as a force for good—be it by calling out racist behavior, championing diversity or preaching the importance of being ourselves. When it comes to raising her kids, stepchildren Zaire and Zaya, and daughter Kaavia James, whom she shares with husband Dwyane Wade, Union's philosophy is no different.
So since Zaya came out as trans at age 12 (she's now 14), Union and Wade have been the most supportive, loving parents you could dream up.
When the actress was asked during an interview with BuzzFeed what her advice is to parents who struggle with accepting their LGBTQ+ kids, she found just the right words to express it.
"As our children show up, it is our job to believe them when they tell us who they are and not impose our dreams, hopes, fears, and desires on them," she said. "It's our job to be loving, compassionate, protective guides for our children, but their lives are their lives and we have to respect that." She added, "We do not believe in any kind of shaming for existing. That is bizarre, cruel, and harmful."
The Cheaper by the Dozen actress also explained why she and Wade strive to be an example of supportive parenting.
"It's important for us to live and love out loud," she said. "We didn't exactly understand why [supporting Zaya's trans identity] was a thing, because it's like, we love all our kids out loud.
"But it is a thing and a lot of people do need an example. They do need that representation. So yeah, we're gonna post our family, we're going to live out loud, we're going to love out loud, and we're going to speak out loud and lead in however each situation calls for us to be leaders when things are not where they should be."
Gabrielle Union To Star In Season 3 Of Apple TV+’s Anthology Series
Gabrielle Union (Being Mary Jane, Cheaper by the Dozen) is set as a lead alongside Octavia Spencer in the third season of the anthology drama series Truth Be Told. Descending into the world of true-crime podcasts, Truth Be Told stars Spencer as podcaster ‘Poppy Scoville,’ who risks everything—including her life—to pursue truth and justice. Based on the novel by Kathleen Barber, the series provides a unique glimpse into America’s obsession with true crime podcasts and challenges its viewers to consider the consequences when the pursuit of justice is placed on a public stage.
The upcoming season will see Poppy Scoville focus on a new case with Union starring as Eva, an outspoken high school principal who becomes embroiled in a problematic incident.
With Spencer’s Poppy as the thread through the anthology series and a core cast around Spencer also staying on, each season tells a different story and features new stars opposite her. Season 1 had Aaron Paul and Lizzy Caplan; Season 2 starred Kate Hudson.
NAACP Image Award-winning Truth Be Told is created and executive produced by Nichelle Tramble Spellman. Season 3 is helmed by showrunner Maisha Closson, who also serves as executive producer. In addition to starring, Spencer serves as executive producer alongside producing partner Brian Clisham via her company, Orit Entertainment. The series is produced for Apple TV+ by Hello Sunshine, Chernin Entertainment and Endeavor Content. Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter executive produce for Hello Sunshine, and Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping executive produce for Chernin Entertainment. Mikkel Nørgaard also serves as executive producer.
Union, who headlined BET’s Being Mary Jane and was the co-lead of L.A.’s Finest, currently stars in Disney+’s Cheaper By the Dozen remake. She is repped by Range Media, CAA, Felker Toczek Suddleson and Lede.
Gabrielle Union Cast in ‘Truth Be Told’ Season 3
Gabrielle Union will star in Season 3 of the Octavia Spencer-led anthology drama series “Truth Be Told.” Union plays Eva, an outspoken high school principal.
“Truth Be Told” follows Spencer as Poppy Scoville, a true crime podcaster who risks everything — including her life — to pursue the truth. Season 3 sees Poppy focus on Eva’s case as she becomes embroiled in a problematic incident. The series is based on Kathleen Barber’s 2017 novel “Are You Sleeping,” and highlights the American obsession with true crime as well as the consequences that come with seeking justice on a public stage. In Season 1, Poppy investigates Warren Cave (Aaron Paul), who was convicted of murder two decades prior, and in Season 2, she investigates the death of her childhood friend Micah’s (Kate Hudson) husband.
Union is best known for starring in films including “Bring It On,” “Daddy’s Little Girls” and “Think Like A Man,” and on TV, she starred as Mary Jane Paul in BET’s “Being Mary Jane.” Up next, she appears in the “Cheaper By the Dozen” remake and the romantic comedy film “The Perfect Find” adapted from Tia Williams’ novel of the same name.
“Truth Be Told” is created and executive produced by Nichelle Tramble Spellman, and Season 3 is helmed by showrunner Maisha Closson. Executive producers include Closson, Spencer, Mikkel Nørgaard, Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter for Hello Sunshine and Peter Chernin and Jenno Toppingfor Chernin Entertainment. “Truth Be Told” is produced for Apple by Hello Sunshine, Chernin Entertainment and Endeavor Content.