How Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade Became a Hollywood Success Story

As I delve deeper into this heartwarming tale of love, acceptance, and empowerment, I can’t help but be moved by the inspiring journey of Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade. Their unwavering support for their children, particularly their brave daughter Zaya, is a testament to the power of parental love and the importance of embracing one’s authentic self.

Gabrielle Union doesn’t do passive.

In the past, whenever she would feel envious of others’ achievements by thinking “It seems like everybody else is achieving so much more,” as she openly shared during an interview on the Today show in 2018, she made a conscious decision to bring about a change.

Instead of actively pursuing particular items or making specific demands, she switched to focusing on her vision boards, stating that she narrowed her wishes down to a single, clear request. She clarified that she asked for increased joy, tranquility, and grace. Remarkably, these elements have been manifesting in great quantities since then.

Reflecting on their 10 years of marriage this coming summer, the couple (Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade) have faced significant challenges, including a lawsuit from his former spouse, a temporary separation before their engagement, and as Gabrielle Union herself puts it, “several miscarriages” over the course of more than a decade. Yet, they continue to thrive.

In a post he made in August, the athlete, aged 42, confessed that year nine had been particularly challenging. He also shared that they were reflecting on the journey that led them to where they are now.

The answer, he continued, is that they’ve mastered the art of being true teammates.

He expressed gratitude by saying, “I appreciate you proving that you’ll be around, and that you’re prepared to love me despite my flaws and the stages of development I go through. Therefore, thank you for instructing me, thank you for having faith in me.

As for any hard moments that lie ahead? Bring it on.

Union expressed that we’ve been traveling this journey for quite some time now, and it’s been a lengthy yet wonderful voyage with many unexpected turns. At each bend, you’ve been there to guide us, always helping us find our way again.

The team has also been instrumental in sharing their joyous moments, such as the day when the family, which includes children Zaire (22), Zaya (17), Xavier (10) and Wade’s nephew Dahveon Morris (21), welcomed their miracle baby, daughter Kaavia James Union Wade, after a long battle with infertility. The celebration was extended to everyone present.

When the doctors at the hospital in the Los Angeles area declared the newborn healthy, Union, who turned 52 on October 29th, expressed profound relief in an interview with Parents magazine’s May 2019 issue. “To hear her cry and breathe was a long-cherished dream,” she said. “We hadn’t fully allowed ourselves to believe it until that moment.

Really, their entire union required quite a bit of faith.

The first time they encountered each other at the 2007 Super Bowl party, where they were co-hosts, they barely exchanged words, giving no indication that they were fated to be a couple who would never split up.

According to a later account given to Essence, I remained on one side of the room with my companions. We prefer to socialize and he abstains from alcohol entirely. On the opposite side of the room, he was leading a Bible study.

In the brief instances they interacted, the actress – who by that point had already appeared in numerous teenage favorites like “She’s All That,” “10 Things I Hate About You,” and “Bring It On” – didn’t find it impressive.

Originally from Chicago, the accomplished basketball player was 25 and part of a freshly crowned NBA championship team. At the same time, he was in the midst of separating from his first wife, Siohvaughn Funches, whom he had known since high school. In a candid conversation with Glamour, Union frankly stated, “His background didn’t promise a long-term relationship: an athlete, going through a divorce, nine years younger than me.” This wasn’t exactly the impression that suggested we would have a lasting romance.

Apart from being cautious about athletes to begin with, this Nebraska-born individual had unfortunate experiences with two well-known sports personalities. In her memoir, she discloses NBA player Jason Kidd contacted her for a break just two weeks before their prom. Moreover, she alleges NFL running back Chris Howard was unfaithful throughout their five-year marriage. Barely 24 hours following his proposal (which included a bucket of KFC potato wedges, quite unexpectedly), she claims to have found a message on Chris’ computer suggesting an affair.

So she dismissed Wade out of hand. Then something happened: She got her heart broken—again.

Following another disappointing breakup with a seemingly callous individual, she pondered, “Perhaps dating someone as young as a fetus can’t possibly be any more challenging,” she shared with Glamour, adding, “I guess we’ll find out together.

Initially, they were quite impressed by him. As it turned out, he had been independent since he was fifteen years old. This life experience gave him a maturity that comes from overcoming tremendous hardships. He’s kind, amusing, and open about his flaws. The takeaway here, she shared, “When I let go of my initial assumptions, I discovered someone extraordinary.

Additionally, she uncovered a vast amount of turmoil. When the pair discreetly began dating in 2009 (they were photographed together at basketball professional Alonzo Mourning’s four-day charity event that June), Wade’s divorce proceedings with Funches had already become quite difficult.

She accused him of abandoning his children, cheating and infecting her with an STD. He, in turn, sued her for defamation. And at one point during the drawn-out financial portion of the divorce, she sat outside the Chicago courthouse with a cardboard sign that read, “NBA Miami Heat star, mother of his children on the streets.” (She was later awarded their six-bedroom Chicago mansion, four cars and $5 million.)

In 2010, when I took the step to file for sole custody of my children Zaire and Zaya, citing that Funches wasn’t suitable to raise them, I didn’t shy away from taking a proactive stance in their best interest.

60 days after this event, she filed a lawsuit against Union under her and Wade’s children’s names. In addition to stating that the couple failed in their supervision duties, she accused the actress of performing inappropriate sexual acts in front of their children. These actions reportedly caused their eldest child such distress and anxiety that they required medical attention.

The Union representative branded the claims and accusations, which were subsequently discarded by a judge, as untrue. Amidst this turmoil, the duo made their first appearance on the red carpet, surprisingly at the same charitable event where they had been photographed the previous year.

By March 2011, a judge granted full “guardianship, supervision, and management” of the children to Wade, criticizing Funches for engaging in a persistent and unyielding behavior over a two-year period that aimed to separate the kids from their father. Wade’s reaction: “I feel a great burden lifted.

Despite everything, Union maintained silence as she was referred to as a mistress. However, it wasn’t until April 2012, two months after they appeared on the cover of Essence magazine together with Wade, that she got the chance to set the record straight.

She told Jet that some people might have misunderstood her choosing the higher ground as an acceptance of blame. However, she and Wade decided right from the start not to respond to the negativity. Instead, they peacefully presented evidence to the court disproving Funches’ allegations, which was effectively saying, “It’s clear you’re not telling the truth.

Although being labeled as unfaithful wasn’t ideal, she firmly stood by her conviction that their relationship was worthwhile. In her words, “Such love is a blessing. It’s so steadfast. There’s no chance I would give it up for those who stubbornly refuse to accept reality.

As an ardent follower, I can’t help but express my fascination with the journey of this dynamic duo. Despite putting their past troubles aside, they weren’t quite ready to step into their fairytale ending just yet. The story began in January 2013, with Gabrielle Union unveiling her BET series “Being Mary Jane,” and Dwayne Wade grappling with a persistent knee issue. For several silent months, they walked separate paths.

Union stated later on to Glamour that the reason for their absence was due to distance and scheduling conflicts. She explained that her calendar required her to move straight from filming her show to shooting Think Like a Man Too in Las Vegas, which left no room for time off. This resulted in missing some valuable time together that they urgently needed.

And while she said she’d always dreamed of a career so hot it required her to work on projects back-to-back, “I realized I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my relationship for it. Moving forward, I decided my work schedule has to make sense for our family.”

In the end, their pre-commitment separation turned out to be beneficial, similar to other couples who had experienced the same before them (such as Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, or Prince William and Kate Middleton). Wade expressed this during a September 2013 interview on The Tonight Show when he said, “We took some time apart, but we realized that we wanted to continue our relationship and grow together.” They spent the summer of that year together and have been strong ever since.

In December, the tall athlete dropped to one knee, presenting a 8.5-carat cushion-cut diamond ring while his kids stood nearby holding signs that read, “Will you become our spouse?

Initially, the Union thought the children had acted independently. However, she often found them asking her questions, so when they made signs, she felt embarrassed. Then, as she complained to her partner about it, he got down on one knee and proposed, surprising her with a marriage proposal! This happened on Live With Kelly and Michael.

In one of her most endearing moves to date, Union celebrated the relationship upgrade with some wood-fired grilled shrimp at her favorite restaurant, Red Lobster.

Despite the unexpected news that emerged 10 days after their engagement, revealing that Wade had fathered a child with his longtime friend Aja Metoyer, she maintained her composed demeanor throughout the build-up to their vows, displaying an unshakable coolness. When asked about the matter in a press conference, Wade acknowledged the birth of Xavier, referring to him as a blessing, thereby putting the controversy to rest. Fans were taken aback, but she remained calm and collected.

Since openness and honesty are fundamental aspects of their bond, as she revealed to Glamour, Union always opts for transparency: “I advocate for full disclosure. No hidden agendas or mysterious secrets. Let’s face the consequences together.

As she was arranging the legal details to tie the knot with Wade – she quipped on the Arsenio Hall Show that she would be getting a prenup because “the truth is, I’ve never witnessed Dwyane managing finances, so I need to safeguard my possessions” – he threw himself into organizing a grand party instead.

As I shared with Us Weekly, Wade transformed into a meticulous planner, or perhaps one could say a “groomzilla.” However, when he discovered my attempts to turn our August 2014 rendezvous at Miami’s Chateau Artisan into more of a fraternity gathering with k-cups and beer pong, he asserted control. In essence, he channeled his inner Kanye West, intensified his efforts, and made it clear that this was his “princess day,” with me simply tagging along for the journey.

According to her interview with Vegas magazine, she primarily prepared for the event by attending a wine tasting and selecting two Dennis Basso gowns. She expressed that the advantage of marrying a fashion-conscious man who enjoys clothing and wardrobe changes is that she gets to wear multiple dresses.

However delightful flowing white dresses might be, Union expressed her concerns were centered on what would transpire after their wedding instead.

In my professional opinion as a lifestyle expert, it’s all too common for us to embrace adulthood and feel the need to behave in a more serious manner. This often includes suppressing our playful and childlike side. However, I firmly believe that maintaining an element of fun and spontaneity is crucial not just in life, but also in our intimate relationships. Let’s never forget to add a dash of immaturity to the mix, especially when it comes to exploring our sexuality.

According to the Union, both her and Wade place a strong emphasis on showing affection. Dwyane often wakes up before her to go to the gym, always ensuring to kiss her goodbye and express his love. On the other hand, she is quite complimentary towards him, sometimes bordering on overly flattering. She finds him appealing and enjoys watching him get out of the shower. (She’s also known to post a few NSFW comments on Instagram.)

They too strive to avoid getting caught up in trivial disputes. As she put it, “He gives me a pass, and I do the same. Is it bothersome that he leaves the toothpaste cap off? Yes. But ultimately, I just replace it myself. It’s about finding balance.

To the star, the reward she gets is truly valuable. In an interview with TopMob News back in 2016, she described her husband as if he were a Nicholas Sparks novel that transformed into an NBA player. She said, “He’s extremely romantic and an exceptional gift-giver.” Some of his finest moments include the poems he writes himself and the time when he instructed her to pack a suitcase for their first wedding anniversary without revealing they were heading to Bora Bora until the plane was already in the air.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always open about the secrets to keeping the spark alive in relationships. In an interview with Glamour, I shared, “Occasionally, my partners might bring up topics like sexting or specific positions, mentioning they’d only engage in these activities during a wild spring break fling. They’ll say, ‘You don’t do that with someone you truly care for.’ And I always reply, ‘That’s exactly who you should be doing it with.’

Still, she stops short of revealing all their secrets.

During the first few years following their wedding, she diplomatically avoided questions about when they would have children. However, by 2017, she was fed up with people intruding on what could or could not be happening in her reproductive system, and provided a bluntly truthful answer intended to put an end to such inquiries altogether.

In her book, she disclosed that for three consecutive years, she had been struggling with fertility treatments. She explained that her body was constantly preparing for, undergoing, or recovering from In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycles.

Later on, she unequivocally communicated that she would not disclose any further information about the topic. However, should she be seen with a newborn in the future, she has expressed that she will speak up. Until then, as reported to TopMob News in 2017, her stance on the matter is private: “Whether we are or aren’t, that’s just between us.

Initially, they had mentioned it, and true to their word, she tackled the subject. Kaavia, the 5-year-old with an exceptionally captivating charm on Instagram, famous for her #shadybaby expressions and witty humor (which we must acknowledge is largely due to her parents), boasts a following of 1.9 million under her @kaaviajames handle and even has her own book. As you might expect, she was more than eager to showcase a variety of costumes for her first Halloween in 2019.

It was a snap the family posted that Thanksgiving, however, that drew the most eyes.

When Wade observed that people were criticizing Zaya for her fashionable crop top and long nails, he tactfully made fun of everyone who was doing so.

He posted on Twitter, “Some people have expressed criticism about my family picture following Thanksgiving on social media.” He went on to say, “Unfortunately, foolishness exists in our world – I understand this. However, let me clarify that I am responsible for guiding my family, not you. Therefore, we will continue to be ourselves, standing tall with pride, love, and a smile as we support one another.

Weeks later, I found myself sitting down for a comprehensive chat on the All the Smoke podcast, hosted by Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. “Ever since my son was born,” I shared, “I’ve witnessed him grow into the remarkable person he is today. My commitment remains unwavering – neither my love nor my responsibilities will change. The only thing that needs to happen now is for me to become wiser and broaden my knowledge, which is a task I am eager to undertake.

He’s already got the endless, unconditional support part down cold.

To begin with, the former athlete, who was well-known for pushing his physical limits throughout his 40-year basketball career, had a conversation with fellow NBA veterans Barnes and Jackson about bravery and resilience. He expressed that his 12-year-old child possesses more of these qualities than he does himself. The former athlete suggested that one could learn valuable lessons from their children. In his household, the focus is on ensuring each child feels seen by both parents. The couple also emphasizes teaching their children to recognize the influence of their voices. They aim for their children to embrace whatever identity they choose in life, which is their primary objective: Empowering them to become whoever and whatever they aspire to be.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express my awe for this dynamic duo, who graced TIME‘s list of the 100 most influential people in 2020. Their tireless advocacy within the LGBTQ+ community has rightfully earned them acclaim. However, it’s not just their impact that leaves me inspired; it’s witnessing the extraordinary growth of their daughters that truly moves me. They are the ones who constantly draw inspiration from these blossoming young minds.

Union stated in their 2020 cover story that they have a 2-year-old daughter who is free from any constraints, only guided by her feelings and spirit, which is a beautiful sight to behold. They also have a 13-year-old daughter who embodies her true self without asking for approval, and this fearless self-expression is incredibly inspiring.

It helps to have parents that are proof positive that your wildest dreams can come true.

Union can simply glance at her reliable vision boards to realize how far she has progressed. “As my aspirations become reality, I find myself looking at these boards and thinking, ‘Wow, I’ve truly worked hard for this,'” Union shared with Redbook. “This practice has helped me avoid suspicion towards joy and prevent prematurely undermining something before I even have a chance to enjoy it because I fear rejection.

Union finds immense joy in her life, particularly because her husband continues to surprise her even a decade into their relationship. In fact, they describe their married life as exceptionally wonderful, almost to the point of being awkward to discuss, as they genuinely appreciate each other.

2024-10-29 15:20

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