Gabrielle Monique Union, born October 29, 1972, in Omaha, Nebraska is the middle child in a family of three daughters. Her parents, Sylvester and Teresa, both worked as managers for the telecommunications company AT&T; her father also served in the military, reaching the rank of sergeant. Union’s early childhood years were spent as part of a rich black community and as part of a large family that had been in the Omaha area for many generations.Union is an American actress and former model. At the age of 8, her family moved to Pleasanton, California, where she grew up and attended high school. Union attended the University of Nebraska before moving on to Cuesta College. She eventually transferred to UCLA and earned a degree in sociology. Union started her acting career in minor roles. Most were in teen movies such as 10 Things I Hate About You and Love and Basketball. Among her other notable roles was as the cheerleader opposite Kirsten Dunst in the film Bring It On. Union starred opposite Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in the blockbuster film Bad Boys II.In 1992, at age 19, Union was attacked and beaten at her part-time job in a shoe store. Her attacker later turned himself in and was sentenced to 33 years in prison. She has since become an advocate for victims of assault.On May 5, 2001 Gabrielle married Chris Howard. They divorced in 2006. She is now dating Miami Heat player Dwayne Wade.
