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Happygrrl of the Month:
Gabrielle Union...
YOU WANTED TO KNOW
The Happygrrl of the Month title is given to a cool chick who exemplifies the true essence of being a Happygrrl. Which means that she possesses independence, a sense of humour, and a slightly neurotic side.
Our Happygrrl of the Month is…Gabrielle Union.
In the past, we’ve featured a myriad of Happygrrls of the Month who were A-list celebrities (Uma Thurman), up-and-coming actresses (Rachel McAdams), local wonders (Jemeni), and established artists (P!nk, Missy Elliott). Obviously, Union doesn’t fall into any of these categories: she’s barely reached B-list status; she’s been on the scene for a cool decade without gracing the cover of GQ or with nary a peep for consideration for the ubiquitous title of “It” girl; she’s originally from California; and she’s yet to release a self-indulgent album. So why do we love Union so much?
For starters, she’s effortlessly stunning. With her commanding 5’8” frame, flawless smile, and poised, understated style, she’s hard to miss, whether she’s in a supporting role in a throwaway film or strutting her stuff on the red carpet. Industry professionals agree on her aesthetic: while in university, and during a stint as an intern at a modeling agency, Union was asked to join the roster as a model. Studio heads also love the fact that she ages well – compare any picture from 1999 to the present, and you’ll be hard-pressed to notice a difference.
But looks will only get you so far in a fleeting industry filled with beautiful women. What makes Union a keeper is her talent. With ten years of experience under her belt, and a number of diverse roles, she proves that hard work and perseverance pay off in the long run. With just a glint in her eye, she can go from sassy head cheerleader (Bring It On) to confident doctor (“City of Angels”) in one fell swoop. She can hold her own opposite Will Smith (Bad Boys II), Morris Chestnut (Two Can Play That Game, The Brothers, Breakin’ All The Rules), and Stuart Townsend (“Night Stalker”). Whether she’s the villain, the supportive best friend, or the guest star on “Grown Ups” opposite Jaleel White, she throws in everything she’s got. It’s not surprising that most of Union’s roles are strong, independent women, much like her off-screen persona.
It’s also hard to write Union off as a vapid sex symbol, considering that she once aspired to be a lawyer. After attending the University of Nebraska, Union transferred to UCLA and eventually earned an honours degree in sociology. She also comes across as genuine, down-to-earth, and articulate in her interviews – most certainly a winning combination and a breath of fresh air compared to her Hollywood peers. Couple this with a natural affinity for sports like basketball, soccer, and track and field, and Union is one of the most well rounded person in her profession.
Union is also a philanthropist, most notably as an avid spokesperson for the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and was named Ambassador of the Year in 2004. In 2006, she attended the Congress for National Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
Since 1996, Union has been credited with over forty different roles, making her one of the hardest working undiscovered gems in the industry. Bit roles in “Moesha,” “Malibu Shores,” “Saved by the Bell: The New Class, and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” led to progressively better bit roles in Hollywood teen movies She’s All That (1999) and 10 Things I Hate About You (1999). In the former, she plays a nice mean girl who eventually warms up to Rachael Leigh Cook’s character, and in the latter, she plays a materialistic high school student who ends up escorting her friend’s crush to the prom. In 2000, Union suffered a cancelled television show with CBS’ “City of Angels,” but bounced back nicely in Love & Basketball and with her benchmark role in Bring It On as Isis, head cheerleader of rival school East Compton who goes head-to-head with Kristen Dunst's Torrance. Astoundingly, Bring It On was a commercial and critical hit, and Union was finally getting some due notice.
The subsequent years were a mix of big and small screen roles in projects like the indie Welcome to Collingwood (2002) with George Clooney, William H. Macy, and Isaiah Washington, the thriller Abandon (2002) with Katie Holmes and Benjamin Bratt, the romantic comedy Deliver Us From Eva (2003) opposite L. L. Cool J., the action-packed Cradle 2 the Grave (2003) with DMX and Jet Li, and a guest spot on the political drama “The West Wing.” But it was with Bad Boys II (2003) that Union gained even more momentum. Cast as Martin Lawrence’s sister and Will Smith’s love interest, Union played Syd as tough, sharp, and fiercely independent. With this role, she proved to fans and critics alike that she is a remarkable leading lady.
Union followed her blockbuster hit with a less-than-thrilling role in the flop Breakin’ All The Rules (2004). But she at least got to star opposite Jamie Foxx and Morris Chestnut, so it wasn’t all a wash. In 2005, Union kept busy with the indies Neo Ned and Constellation, which, despite a theatrical release, garnered decent reviews in Internet forums. She also starred in the remake of The Honeymooners with Cedric the Entertainer and Mike Epps, and headlined CBS’ short-lived thriller, “Night Stalker.”
In recent reviews, Union has expressed her concern for quality roles available to minority women in Hollywood. "In high school, I was the one African-American on the basketball team and the one on the homecoming court,” Union recounts to People magazine. “I don't mind, as long as I break down some preconceptions that people might have and open up doors for people who come behind me." Considering her diverse number of roles and projects, as well as her reputation for being a sweetheart on sets, Union seems to have transcended the glass ceiling that hinders most working actresses from attaining valuable roles.
With her bottomless store of talent and admirable work ethic, Union will be going places. ¤ C.Ho.