February 12, 2001
TV Guide Online: Tonight we are chatting with Gabrielle Union about the video release of Bring it on . Hi Gabrielle! Thanks for joining us!
Union: Thanks for having me.
Question: Was it hard to learn the cheerleading moves for Bring it on
Union: Yeah. It was extremely difficult. We had a 9 day crash course to learn all the scenes in the movie. There are no body doubles. So yeah it was extremely taxing on my body and my ego.
Question: Did you do any of the commentary on the DVD version of the movie?
Union: This is so sad. I have no idea. I don't remember. I might have. I'm not sure. I haven't seen it yet. It comes out tomorrow.
Question: Who coached the cheerleaders for the movie?
Union: Yes his name is Ray. He is a world renown cheerleading expert. Our choreography was a woman named High Hat. She's done videos for Missy. Between the two of them they created all the routines.
Question: What about the movie was a nervous part for you?
Union: During training we were given 15 minutes to learn how to stunt. Either you got it or you didn't. The one stunt I was able to do, I was getting nervous I wouldn't be able to do it. If one person misses you'd have to do the whole take over again. I didn't want to be that person.
Question: Do you still keep in touch with your costars from the movie?
Union: Yeah. We have little gatherings ever now and again. There is one this weekend at the director's house. I usually see them about once a month. I haven't seen Blaque in a little while. All the Toros I see all the time. We hang out.
Question: Are the Compton Clovers a real team or are they made up?
Union: They're completely fictional. Our squad is based out of East Compton. And the other one is Rancho Carne, which means meat. I couldn't imagine there is a school called Rancho Carne anywhere.
Question: My daughter just loved the movie? what's your next movie about?
Union: My next movie is called The Brothers. They keep publicizing it as a male version of Waiting to Exhale. I play the character of Denise who is with Morris Chestnut who is a commitmentphone. I also have a movie coming out this summer called How to Make Your Man Behave in 10 minutes or less. Everyone asks me if that's Science Fiction.
Question: DO you have a boyfriend?
Union: I have a fiancée and I'm getting married May 5th.
Question: Are you and Isis anything alike?
Union: Yes in sense that we're both extremely ambitious and but she's a little cold. And I'm a little bubbly. The word bubbly doesn't really describe Isis. She's strong and I'd like to think I'm strong.
Question: Are you a sports fan? What teams do you root for?
Union: I am a huge sports fan. I'm a huge Nebraska Cornhusker fan. I went to UCLA so I tend to root for the Bruins. After Jordan left the league I root for certain players. I'm a fan of Kobe and Allen Iverson. And I love watching football.
Question: How was it working with Omar Epps & Sanaa Lathan in Love and Basketball?
Union: It was cool. It was kind of a unique experience to work with a real live couple. It's kind of rare that that happens. It was a great experience.
Question: Did you cheer in high school?
Union: No, I cheered in jr. high in 8th grade. And we weren't very good.
Question: Do you find yourself getting offered more teen roles now, and are you looking for more grown up roles?
Union: It's kind of a combination of both. Once you do something for so long, people see you in certain light. I've done 6 movies in the last two years. Now after The Brothers and How to Make Your Man Behave, I'm getting more adult roles. It's nice. I'm not a teenager.
Question: Hey, you were great on Bring it On. What actors would you like to work with in the future?
Union: Don Cheadle, Will Smith, De Niro, Eddie Murphy. I'd love to work with anyone that loves what they do and is a professional.
Question: What movie do you enjoy most out of all your movies?
Union: To make? Probably The Brothers, since a lot of my friends were in the movie. It was like summer camp. It was just a bunch of friends hanging out. Everybody was really cool and I had a lot of freedom to play around with the character which is nice and freer.
Question: How did u like working with Blaque the music group?
Union: It was cool. It's a challenge when you're working with people who don't do it for a living. They asked a lot of questions and they knew it wasn't easy. They're really cool girls so it was a great experience. And they're extremely talented as well.
Question: How long have you been acting?
Union: I've been acting for about 5 years. I got an internship at a modeling agency. I was asked to model when it was done. I had a stack of student loans and said sure. I worked for Teen Magazine and All About You. My agent, figured I can read, and I have a personality. I was send to an audition for Saved By the Bell. That's kind of a weird way to get into the business, but that's how it all started.
Question: What do you like to do for fun, when you aren't working?
Union: Shop. I like to shop. Me and my fiancée play with our dog at the park. We'll go to the movies and just hang out with friends. We try not to be out on the scene too much. My fiancée lives out here now that the season is over and my roommate and I just watch tv and that's what I do when I'm not working.
Question: I just wanted to say how sorry I am about City of Angels and I think that both you and the show were GREAT!!!
Union: Thank you very much. Glad to here from somebody who is liking it. Thanks for the support.
Question: What shows do you like to watch?
Union: I never miss The Practice. Sex and the City is one of my all time favorite shows. I love Oz and the Sopranos. I used to never miss Dawson's Creek, but I had to work a lot and missed it.
Question: Who do you consider as a role model?
Union: Diane Carroll. She's never had to compromise herself. She's so classy and she always puts her best foot forward. She's someone I look up to.
Question: Do you have your own website?
Union: Not that I know of.
Question: what advice do you have for other young black girls who would like to be actresses?
Union: The business isn't going anywhere. The more well rounded you are and the more experiences you can draw from the better. It's always good to increase your knowledge.
Question: What was your favorite part of Bring It On? I mean which scene?
Union: I think I share the same favorite scene with a lot of people. The scene with Sparky the teacher. That guy was hilarious. He is so funny.
Question: Will you do any theatre, or stick to TV and film?
Union: A lot of actors go back to the theatre. I never came from the theatre. It's a special talent and unique one. I'm still trying to conquer tv and film. With a bit more training I might want to explore that.
Question: Do you have any other projects coming up, besides The Brothers?
Union: We're trying to figure out what the next move is. The man who directed The Brothers wrote Deliver Us from Eva. I have an episode of Friends airing March 15. I get to date Ross and Joey. Both of them. Oh Yeah.
TV Guide Online: Thank you Gabrielle! We had a great time and hope you can come back soon! We wish you the best in everything!