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endless summer

Gabrielle Union brings the heat year round

Photography NICK SAGLIMBENI · Makeup MOTOKO HONJO · Hair LARRY SIMS · Stylist CALEY LAWSON

Pages 40–45

Focused yet playful, independent yet devoted to her family, Gabrielle Union is a down-to-earth actress who just happens to be incredibly beautiful. Whether discussing being a top-notch athlete in high school, the numerous charities and non-profits she supports, or her upcoming movie, Good Deeds, Union exudes an easiness about her that is refreshing. She has a no-nonsense approach to life and a self-deprecating sense of humor that allows her to laugh at herself in any situation.

During our photo shoot in October high above Los Angeles in the Hollywood Hills, she opts for a wardrobe — or lack thereof — entirely of swimwear despite an array of options reflective of a winter issue. Perhaps it is the sweltering heat that day, perhaps it is the location’s centerpiece pool or perhaps it’s because her physique warrants it. Whether getting blasted with a wind machine, lying on the slate pool deck or submerging herself in water, Union breezes through the shoot without complaint. She has a new movie coming out, is headed to Vietnam in a few weeks for a PBS documentary and the work she’s putting in at the gym with her trainers — one in Los Angeles and another in Miami — is apparent.

Though she juggles a career, high profile relationship with Miami Heat basketball player Dwayne [sic] Wade and Susan G. Komen global ambassador duties for Circle of Promise, she also works with the RAINN organization, has lobbied congress, senate and state legislatures to increase funding for rape crisis centers, and started her own non-profit, A Step for Success, with her girlfriends that benefits public schools in Los Angeles. Simply put, she has an incredible work ethic and gives back to the community. Born in Omaha, Neb., Union is the middle child of two sisters. Immersed in athletics, she was an all-star basketball player and also played soccer and ran track. Her father, a sergeant, definitely brought his military background into his family life, instilling his daughters with discipline.

“It all started at home from a very, very young age,” she says. “There was no such thing as a ‘B.’ There was no such thing as second place. There was no such thing as slacking. There was no such thing as passing a buck. We had to do our chores, we had to get good grades and we had to pull our weight. That kind of carried over into sports, school and my life, and now into how I train and how I work.”

Her original career path plan was to be a lawyer and though she graduated with honors from University of California, Los Angeles, with a sociology degree, a twist of fate sent her in the opposite direction. During her last quarter at UCLA, Union got an internship at a modeling agency. Doing menial office work, the agency also asked Union if she was interested in modeling.

“Mind you, I was still working at the UCLA bookstore making $6.16 and [sic] hour,” she says. “I was like, ‘you think someone will pay me to stand around and smile?’ Because I knew I wasn’t Naomi Campbell; I wasn’t that delusional. I didn’t realize there were ranges of modeling and that someone could pay me more than I was making at the bookstore.”

Union then booked a few modeling jobs and made a resume and headshot for acting. After an audition for Saved by the Bell that she landed, she continued to work, appearing in the cult-classic Bring it On in 2000 and attention-garnering Bad Boys II in 2003.

Differentiating her early career from a runway model, her personal definition of beauty is two-fold and goes beyond appearance. “It’s way different then [sic] what I thought of as a kid, a teenager or in my 20s,” she says. “Now it’s having peace of mind and peace of body. And if those two things are working in conjunction, it’s absolutely stunning… So I find the most beautiful people — male, female, young, old — are ones who have that balance of peace of mind and body. I think there’s a difference between being hot and being beautiful, and there’s a bit more substance to one.”

Pull quote: I find the most beautiful people are ones who have that balance of peace of mind and body

With Good Deeds debuting February 24, this will be the second time Union has worked with actor/director/producer Tyler Perry. “Tyler is an actor’s director,” she says. “He gives you the freedom to create and he’s not going to be like, ‘It’s my way or the highway.’ He’s so giving and he’s so sweet, and it felt really warm and comfortable. It’s nice to be not the only black face on set. So that’s always comforting and nice and reassuring.”

The movie also stars Thandie Newton and Brian White, and examines the life of wealthy businessman Wesley Deeds (Tyler Perry). Perry’s character must chose [sic] between living the life that’s expected of him, marrying his fiancée (played by Union) and carrying on the family business or striking out on his own after crossing paths with another woman in need. “Good Deeds is basically about a man who’s come to a crossroads in his life where his life has been mapped out for him,” Union says. “And he’s kind of faced with that decision, ‘Do I live for me or do I live for my family?'”

Asked if the entertainment industry has changed its own definition of beauty in the last decade or two, she’s [sic] says there are different standards of beauty for different industries but actors have a nice combination of everything. “I’d like to think it’s because the world is getting more diverse and different cultures and different norms are embraced,” Union says. “Different cultures want to be reflected on screen. You have no choice but to embrace and accept all different types of women and all different definitions of beauty.”

As for three things Union can’t live without: “My man, my dog and Twizzlers.” ▪

Fashion credits as printed

p. 40: top Bec & Bridge · bottoms Eco Swim by Aqua Green. p. 43: swimsuit Eco Swim by Aqua Green · black and silver cuff Ann Taylor · red heels Pour La Victoire. p. 45: swimsuit Noelle · black heels Pour La Victoire · gold cuff CC Skye.