Gabrielle Union: Marriage and Movies
Apr 20/01 12:00p by Chris Lamb
Gabrielle, I’ve read that you didn’t want to be an actress growing up. Why did you eventually become one?
Gabrielle: In a word, money. It all started as a little side thing to pay off my student loans. And then when I realized that I enjoyed acting and was good at it, I just stuck with it to see how far I could go. Then once my student loans were paid off, I thought, ‘I kind of enjoy this.’ I want to see how far I can go.
What projects are you working on right now?
Gabrielle: Right now its nuts. I’m currently shooting a pilot called Close at Home which is by the same people who did Varsity Blues. Then I start another film next week. Actually I finish the pilot on Wednesday and start the movie on Friday and we’ve got the best cast; William H. Macy, George Clooney, Jennifer Esposito and then there’s me.
From there I go straight into this other movie called Abandon, written and directed by the writer who just won the Oscar for Traffic. It stars Katie Holmes and Benjamin Bratt. My pre-strike days are pretty filled.
I also have another movie coming out in September called How To Make A Man Behave in Ten Days or Less. I’m totally excited for what’s coming up.
When will the actor’s strike happen?
Gabrielle: If we do it, apparently the actor’s strike will happen in June. The writer’s strike is in May.
Of the four big movies that you’ve acted in, what role did you enjoy the most?
Gabrielle: Probably Brothers, the one that just came out. I had the best time with that character and that experience. It was the first time that I got to be an adult so it was a lot easier. Apparently I look a lot younger than I actually am and it makes it a lot harder to keep the moments honest when you’re playing someone so much younger than you actually are. When your experiences are so far removed from your character’s it’s hard to keep it sincere and honest. So Brothers was so much fun. It was like summer camp and I had a blast.
Working
on 10 Things I Hate About You was also a great working experience. The
friends I made there I wouldn’t trade for the world. It was my first movie and
I thought all movies were going to be like that…whew, was I wrong. But
everyone associated with that movie I could call right now and talk with for
three hours.
That leads into another question; do you tend to be friends with actors or people outside of Hollywood?
Gabrielle: You know, I have a few actor friends. I just had lunch with my friend Dule Hill (The West Wing), but he’s one of the few actors who is in my close circle of friends.
You’d mentioned before we started this interview that you’re getting married?
Gabrielle: Yeah.
Your fiancé is a football player? What’s his name?
Gabrielle: His name is Chris Howard. He just signed with the LA Raiders about a month ago and he’s awesome.
Can I ask how you two met?
Gabrielle: My old roommate was dating one of his teammates when he was playing for Jacksonville. This teammate was having a four-day party in Jacksonville and he invited my roommate and any friends she wanted to bring. So we all rode out to Jacksonville for this big party and I met Chris on the first day. We’ve been together ever since.
Ok, here’s a simple question for you, do you like Pepsi or Coke?
Gabrielle: You know, I’m one of the few individuals that doesn’t have a preference. I can’t tell the difference. Both of them I can only drink when they’re near freezing, but I can’t tell the difference and I’m not a stickler.
So you’re telling me you’d lose a taste-test?
Gabrielle: (laughs) I’d have no idea. Apparently Pepsi’s sweeter, I don’t know. They taste the same to me.
My last question for you is about music; what do you think is the best album that came out this past year?
Gabrielle: I’d have to say Jill Scott. By far. It’s been in my CD player forever and everything else has made the rotation out, but Who Is Jill Scott is still in there. It’s weird; it seems that each month I can relate to a different song for a different reason.
I actually had the opportunity to meet her at an awards show
this year and she’s so nice. You want to just c
limb
up into her lap and have her give you advice. She’s just so giving and so
positive. I’ve never met anybody in this business who has that kind of warmth.
I’ve heard that album is good. I’ll have to pick it up. Thanks for talking with me today, Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: No problem, it was a nice break from writing checks.