Gabrielle Union 'can't afford' the career she'd like

Perth Now

22-06-2025

Gabrielle Union "can't afford" to star in as many independent films as she'd like.
The Bring It On actress - who has six-year-old daughter Kaavia with husband Dwyane Wade and is stepmother to his four children - doesn't have the "luxury" of complete creative freedom because she has to be mindful of how much money she brings in in order to look after her family, including her dementia-stricken father Sylvester Union.
Speaking at the American Black Film Festival, People magazine reports she said: 'More recently, my father is in memory care. You know, nursing homes, what's covered by insurance, what's not, home health aids — like that all adds up and having to really be cognisant of an additional output, I have to go where the money goes.
'I don't have the luxury of taking all the independent films that I want because I can't afford to pay for my extended family in the way that they have grown accustomed to."
Gabrielle, 51, believes many working actors these days need to have "multiple revenue streams" in order to supplement their income to afford more choice with their projects.
She said: 'I have to factor in endorsements and brands and brand building. When you see celebrities have five to 11 jobs, there's a reason.
'We don't get paid what y'all think that we get paid, and that check is split so many ways. You have to have multiple revenue streams to do the job that you really love. So it kind of depends on what I've made that year on how creative I can be — and that's a damn shame, but that's reality.'
Gabrielle previously spoke of her dad's struggle with dementia on his 80th birthday last October.
She wrote on Instagram at the time: 'My Dad has dementia. He definitely thinks Dwyane is still playing for the Heat but otherwise remembers quite a bit. He remembers all the great times he spent in Hawaii, so we brought some Hawaii to my Dad.
'He remembers his love of Crown Royal and missing his friends and being able to just hang out and talk s***, so his friends showed up and showed out.
'What dementia has robbed him of, his heart and soul have recovered.
When my Dad saw me, he said, 'I really love you.' And I said, 'I love you too Dad.' Then he replied, 'How's your Mom?' And with the gas face, I simply said, 'Sir.' He then asked if I was happy and I told him I was. He nodded and with a grin asked, 'You not taking no s*** are you?' And I said, 'Never.'
"He told me he loved me again and that interaction stayed with me all day and made me pretty emotional.
'It all just reminds me to be a good, loyal friend, a great neighbor, prioritize your family, have a spirit of adventure and don't take no s***. And always show up and show love. Happy Birthday Dad! I love you [heart emoji] (sic).'