January 11, 2014

Style Crush Saturday: Gabrielle Union



Style Crush:  Gabrielle Union
Known For:  Actress; role as Kristen in Think like a Man
Style:  Sophisticated, Sexy, Feminine




This week's Style Crush is the gorgeous Gabrielle Union.  Gabrielle is a 41-year old American actress and model, who is best known for her attention-catching roles in the cheer movie sensation Bring it On opposite Kirtsen Dunst and the star-studded, hit comedy Think Like a Man.  Growing up in a family of four girls, Gabrielle shone as the year-round, star athlete at her high school, being point guard on the girls' basketball team, playing soccer, and running track.  After high school, Gabrielle attended college in Nebraska, but eventually transferred to UCLA in Los Angeles, California.  While working her way through college to earn a sociology degree, Gabrielle started as a model after interning for a model and talent agency.  The agency's owner recognized Gabrielle's stunning, as well as intellectual, attributes and immediately got her into acting.  She began her acting career by getting supporting roles in teen movies like She's All That, 10 Things I Hate About You, and Love and Basketball.  In 2000, Gabrielle got her big break by being cast as Isis in Bring it On.  Since then, Gabrielle has gone on to guest star in TV shows such as Friends, Ugly Betty, and Army Wives, star in her own TV show Being Mary Jane, star in the hit movies Bad Boys II, The Perfect Holiday, and Think like a Man, and win multiple awards including Best Actress at the Palm Beach International Film Festival.




In addition to earning respect for her work, Gabrielle has an attitude and realness that has earned her the respect of her peers.  This past June, Gabrielle was awarded the "Fierce & Fearless Award" at the Black Women in Hollywood Pre-Oscars luncheon where she gave a very open and honest acceptance speech.  The crowd, filled with her fellow actresses, friends, family, and idols, cried and laughed along, and ended the event in a standing ovation for Gabrielle.  Gabrielle is respected because she isn't afraid to show her weaknesses and imperfections.  At the age of 19, Gabrielle was sexually assaulted at gunpoint, and she admits that for awhile she was lost.  After going through such a traumatic experience, Gabrielle is now a spokesperson for survivors of assault.  Gabrielle believes you have to fight for happiness and that is what she does.  After dating for years, NBA player Dwayne Wade proposed to his love, Gabrielle, in December 2013 with a 8.5 carat diamond ring.  The happy couple has been spotted together out and about more in love than ever.  Gabrielle is truly a remarkable woman and I respect her courage, strength, and style.  




Below, I Included Gabrielle's acceptance speech for the Fierce & Fearless Award.  I definitely recommend giving it a watch.  It's the first bluntly honest and raw speech that I have seen in awhile.  If the video cuts out at the very end, watch the full speech here.



Credits:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Work Cited: 1, 2

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