Gabrielle Union seems to be one individual who strives to be authentically herself in the public eye. The 51-year-old actress tells the People Magazine that she strives to carry that authenticity beyond the public eye, extending it to her private live as well. In a recent exclusive interview with the outlet, Union discusses just why she is “transparent” about who she is with her kids.
“I think a lot of times as parents, we never want to admit that we don’t know. We haven’t had a clue sometimes and sometimes we need help or sometimes we have to search out the information. We want to appear to be in control, all-knowing, at all times,” Union told People in her interview.
“We don’t also really want to be that transparent because we’re afraid of being judged and we want to be able to control how other people see us. And all that does is create an illusion of who we are and it closes the door to real intimacy within the family, real information and a real understanding of who your parents are.”
The Cheaper By The Dozen actress shared that her own mother is turning 77 soon. She went on to say that her mother is just now sharing things and stories about her own past with Union. The actress noted that she would have wished that she she knew these stories earlier in life.
“I don’t want to learn about you at 77, I could have had a whole different relationship with you had I gotten these stories and this information and your fears, your hopes, your dreams when I was growing up,” the actress commented. “So I want Kaavia and Zaya to know me, not the illusion of what I want them to think.”
Gabrielle Union and her husband, NBA legend Dwayne Wade are parents to: Kaavia James, 5, Xavier, 10, Zaya, 16, Zaire, 21, and Wade’s nephew, Dahveon Morris, 21.
Photo: Gabrielle Union Instagram