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Gabrielle Union is a strong advocate for radical transparency and believes it fosters a sense of community. She has made it her life’s mission to be brutally honest about her experiences in the hope of connecting with others. In her latest book, “You Got Anything Stronger,” Union candidly shares her struggle with infertility and how it impacted her marriage to basketball star Dwyane Wade, specifically the fear that he might not continue to love her if she couldn’t have a child for him.
Union and Wade faced years of fertility challenges before opting for surrogacy. During this time, Wade fathered a child with another woman while on a break with Gabrielle. Union opens up about how these circumstances caused her to feel deeply insecure in her relationship and marriage.
In an interview with Trevor Noah, she further discussed the extent of her insecurities. When asked what she gained from sharing her story, Union admitted that it brought her a great deal of relief. Her inability to carry and give birth to their child made her worry that she might not bond with their daughter, Kaavia James, or that Wade might not love her fully because of it. She described these feelings as brutal, heartbreaking, and distressing.
Union believes that many women struggle with similar emotions but often pretend not to. She expressed feeling messy and uncomfortable about her emotions but found release and solace through discussing them in her book, realizing that she is not alone. In other interviews, she has also confessed to experiencing “mom guilt” and struggling with disciplining baby Kaavia. Her busy work schedule sometimes makes it challenging for her to be strict with her daughter, which makes her feel bad.
Despite these challenges, Union and Kaavia share a strong bond, frequently sharing moments of their relationship on social media. Kaavia has amassed over 1.8 million followers on Instagram. In one post, they engage in an indoor workout, including running in place, lifting weights, and showcasing adorable moves. The video takes a turn when Kaavia decides it’s time to take their workout outdoors, to which a concerned Union says, “Oh, you want to take the running on the road?”
In another post, Kaavia plays the role of the teacher and imparts her wisdom to her parents. When asked what they are learning, the adorable three-year-old spells out her own name. When Union humorously asks, “So it’s Kaavia’s school where we learn about Kaavia?” their witty baby responds with a confident “yes.” Kaavia’s distinctive personality and adventures have even led to a book series. “Shady Baby” is a New York Times bestseller, an upbeat picture book that teaches kids to speak their minds and stand up for what they believe in.
