Gabrielle Union Instagram – Anyone following @gabunion’s 30-plus years in the entertainment industry as an actress, producer, and author knows that she’s often one to speak truth to power. Not to mention, some of her most salient roles on-screen are now regarded as unapologetic Black films. Love & Basketball, Bad Boys II, Deliver Us From Eva… The list continues. But to confine Union’s star power to her acting résumé and entrepreneurial pursuits (she’s the founder of a haircare brand, @flawlessbygu, as well as the co-founder of the baby care brand @theproudlyco and the children’s snack food line @bitsys) would be to deny what makes her so compelling, and that’s her sense of self. In our July cover story, it’s evident that her confidence doesn’t come from years in the spotlight, success, or assimilation—it’s from her choice to prioritize her joy above making others comfortable.“Somewhere around 40, I was just like, ‘I gotta empty my basket of fucks to give,’” Union says emphatically. Read our full interview with the iconic @gabunion at the link in our bio. photographer: @chriseanrose stylist: @thomaschristos hair: @larryjarahsims makeup: @joannasimkin nails: @thuybnguyen creative director: @awiley_creative entertainment director: @jbake21 editor: @fashionwithjazz