Gabrielle Union Gets Candid About Life On Marie Claire’s October Digital Issue

According to Marie Claire, the October 2020 digital issue is all about making a statement, and that’s why the incredible Gabrielle Union has been named as its cover star.

Photographed by Djeneba Aduayom with makeup by Sir John and hair by stylist Larry Sims, Union’s images are ethereal. But her interview with veteran Nigerian journalist Lola Ogunnaike reveals a multitasking mogul and mother as incisive as ever.

The Hollywood star is speaks up and out about her career, being Black in 2020, and why she won’t stay silent. Read excerpts below:

On those who did not publicly support her: “These racist institutions and systems have done an amazing job at keeping us very fearful of speaking up, asking for equality, and asking for accountability, because they have shown us time and time again that we are disposable. They will discredit and malign you, and you will never work again.… Being blackballed in this industry is very real.”

On turning 40: “I emptied out my basket of f***s. I cannot center fear in my life. I can’t center functioning from a fear of scarcity. They say silence is violence, and I refuse to be complicit in my silence. I have to be fully present in my body and fully free.”

On being transparent and speaking your truth: “The more you are transparent and the more you speak truth to power, it creates more space for other people to claim their reality, to claim their pain, to claim their healing, and, if you want, to claim your justice.”

On her step-daughter Zaya: “You want your child to feel freedom to be exactly as they are…We are her lifetime lifelines to love, peace, joy, grace, protection, and compassion.”