• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
    • Clinical Trials Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Health Conditions / Skin Problems / Gabrielle Union at 50: Self-Love and Overcoming Being “Never Looked Upon As Pretty”

Gabrielle Union at 50: Self-Love and Overcoming Being “Never Looked Upon As Pretty”

gabby1

Gabrielle Union is gorgeous. I think most people would agree, including her husband, NBA star and hall-of-famer Dwayne Wade and her beautiful daughter Kaavia. The Being Mary Jane star has been in plenty of films like Bad Boys II, Deliver Us From Eva, Bring It On and Think Like a Man, just to name a few. It seems Hollywood has always been impressed with her skills and beauty, but it may come as a surprise to many that Union struggled with self-esteem issues as a child and young adult.

Never one to shy away from speaking out about colorism, Union, now 50, has talked about her early struggles and her journey to getting to a place of self-love. In a letter to her younger self featured in EBONY, she wrote:

“Your deep mahogany skin may not resemble that of the others in your family, but it’s just as gorgeous and you’re just as worthy… One day you’ll appreciate how much your brown skin shines in the moonlight, glistens in the sun and ages ever so slowly. Don’t let that pesky low self-esteem creep in and fool you into believing that you don’t have value…don’t allow it to crush your will or dampen your spirit…”

It’s hard to even fathom there was ever a time when she didn’t see herself in all her beauty and worth, but in an open letter to the public titled, “Things You Generally Don’t Share,” she admitted what had kept her from seeing herself in the same light that the world sees her in.

gabby

A self-proclaimed “perfect child” in her parents’ eyes, Gabrielle Union appeared to do everything right. She was a great student, a versatile athlete, an inspirational student leader and she never got in trouble. But how she felt inside reflected the opposite. What she did was a lot of self-loathing.

You May Also Like
7 Proven Ways to Cure an Upset Stomach

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gabrielle Union-Wade (@gabunion)

“What I was dealing with individually and as a group of girls, was absolute turmoil. Emotionally, physically, spiritually, we were forced to deal with a lot of adult issues and situations as a collective, and often times we wouldn’t turn to each other, we would internalize everything, we didn’t have an outlet. So, I was going through MAJOR low self-esteem.”

Continue Reading

The Latest In Skin Problems

sweater materials

5 Sweater Materials That Won’t Irritate Your Skin

Eczema sufferers dread winter. Sweaters may increase flare-ups and throw our skin off balance, in addition to cold and dry heat. Even without eczema, certain sweaters and tops cause itching. Scratchy clothes might be unbearable if you have sensitive skin. read more about 5 Sweater Materials That Won’t Irritate Your Skin
home remedies for acne scars

10 Natural At-Home Remedies To Clear Acne Scars

Acne. Some of our worst enemies and the one thing that everyone will encounter at least once in their lifetime. It’s inevitable, so finding the right cure for it is always at the top of everyone’s list. Running to the read more about 10 Natural At-Home Remedies To Clear Acne Scars

The UV Lights From Your Gel Manicure Can Lead to Cancer

Gel manicures have quickly become popular for women when getting their nails done because they are convenient, time-consuming and last longer than a regular manicure, but that doesn't mean it's the safest. According to a new study, the ultraviolet (UV) read more about The UV Lights From Your Gel Manicure Can Lead to Cancer
eczema on black skin

Eczema: How To Treat Winter Flare Ups

Dry skin that is itchy and sensitive may sound normal. Whether it is due to a drastic weather change, like winter, or simply forgetting to put on your lotion, this itch may seem minute. However, many people experience these dry, read more about Eczema: How To Treat Winter Flare Ups
how to treat burns

Holiday Kitchen Accident? Here’s How to Treat Minor Cuts, Burns

From burns to cuts, kitchen accidents happen, and they may be more likely as you cook for holiday gatherings. how to treat a burn Treating those injuries quickly and effectively can help begin the healing process and may reduce scarring, read more about Holiday Kitchen Accident? Here’s How to Treat Minor Cuts, Burns
essential oils for eczema

10 Oils That Can Treat Your Eczema Naturally

As with other skin conditions, it can be tricky to manage eczema well. Even if you’re using prescribed medication, you may need to find other methods to ease your discomfort. One option is using natural oils regularly to keep your read more about 10 Oils That Can Treat Your Eczema Naturally

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • Mo’Nique at 55: Slimmer, Happier & Wiser: “I Love Us For Real”Mo'Nique at 55: Slimmer, Happier & Wiser: "I Love Us For Real"
  • Monica Calhoun at 51: “Exude Beauty Inside, Manifest It Outside”Monica Calhoun at 51: "Exude Beauty Inside, Manifest It Outside"
  • Taimak: The Last Dragon Lives 35+ Years Later!Taimak: The Last Dragon Lives 35+ Years Later!
  • Chef Babette Davis: Making 70+ Look Simply Delicious!Chef Babette Davis: Making 70+ Look Simply Delicious!
  • John David Washington: “They Tried To Use My Name Against Me”John David Washington: "They Tried To Use My Name Against Me"

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.