With a succession of commercially well-received films like She's All That (1999), 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), Love and Basketball (2000), and Bring It On (2000), Gabrielle Union is gaining big ticket recognition and the respect of her peers. Her much-lauded stint as Denise Johnson in The Brothers, playing the love interest of Morris Chestnut's character, is beginning to pique the interest of Hollywood's deal-makers. One thing about Gabrielle—she doesn't find soul in the hoopla of stardom. She wishes to make her mark as a lady of authority and independence, worthy of carrying herself in the manner of her mentor, screen goddess Diahann Carroll.

Gabrielle recently met with Venice to discuss the virtues of on-set camaraderie, her upcoming role as a bitch, and her ability to keep on truckin'.

VENICE: How did your part in the dynamic cast of The Brothers come about?

Gabrielle Union: Gary Hardwick, the writer and director, had done a lot of the rewrites for Bring It On. Gary thought I would make a good Denise, so he brought me a script on a day when we were doing reshoots for Bring It On, and I thought it was good. And I already knew that Morris (Chestnut) was attached. It was kind of cool because they were all pulling for me, but I still had to go through the process (of reading for the role).

It must have been nice working with such a funny cast.

I had met Shemar (Moore) before and one of my best friend's wife is Tamala Jones. So, when we all got together, it was great. I literally hadn't had that much fun working on a movie since 10 Things I Hate About You, where it was just true camaraderie, where everyone was pulling together for a common goal. It was a ball. It was like summer camp.

You're working with Tamala Jones in your next movie—the one with a really long title: How to Make a Man Behave in Ten Days... or Less. How'd you find that opportunity?

Yeah, Tam, that's what I call her. I don't know how they'll fit that (title) on the marquee (laughs). It's the same people, Sony Screen Gems, that did The Brothers. At the time, I didn't know if I was interested in doing a (part) where ninety percent of the story involved me. It really wasn't a role that inspired me. But there was this really bitchy, seductress role in Connie Spaulding, which I was attracted to. I just needed a different kind of role after doing "City of Angels" (CBS) where I was so honest and earnest.

In a recent review of The Brothers in the Los Angeles Times, you were singled out as "an ever-sensible woman...who projects the pluck, gravitas, and beauty of a younger Alfre Woodard." Any thoughts on these comparisons?

To me, I've never taken an acting class. I was never the drama kid in high school or college. I just fell into it after a modeling job for Teen magazine. I didn't even know what a mark was. The casting people thought, “Well, she can read and she has a personality. Let's see if she can act.” I had no idea...I would just put a little zest into the read and they bought it. It all happened really fast—I started on "Saved by the Bell"—and I just kept on working.

So you were just thrown into the fold without much preparation?

I've been working for five or six years now. And each step of the way I've, more or less, been studying by working. It's as if working on the set has been my acting class. Asking questions and having people, other actors, nice enough to answer them.

I guess that's what I was looking into with the Alfre Woodard comparison. Where have you found mentors to learn from?

I used to emulate Diahann Carroll's character from "Dynasty" when I was a little girl —I just love her. Working on The Brothers with (acting veteran) Jenifer Lewis—but I really can't single out one particular person. For the most part, especially the veterans, they are a wealth of knowledge, and if you ask them questions they love to answer. But Jenifer Lewis pulled me aside and told me, "Whatever it is that you're doing is so completely honest, don't change a thing.”

This kind of honesty is integral to your character in The Brothers.

You know, I used to feel like a fraud, and I would have this urge to act, but it just looked so forced. I realized that just being conversational, and not trying to embellish every line, these things worked. Another thing Jenifer Lewis said to me, "Say it with love." Real simple, just talking and laughing—being real.

Tell us about your role on "Friends."

Well, I don't know how much it fits, but it really relates to my attitude of not taking any shit and not looking back. I'm looking for that next nugget.