Gabrielle Union is looking back with a laugh and a bit of regret at the first big purchase she made after hitting it big in Hollywood. During a panel discussion at the American Black Film Festival in Miami on Thursday, June 12, the 52-year-old actress opened up about what she did with her first major paycheck from the cult classic “Bring It On,” the 2000 cheerleading comedy that helped launch her to stardom.
Chatting with moderator Kelley L. Carter for a live conversation titled “Sisterhood & Savings: A Conversation with Gabrielle Union,” the “Being Mary Jane” star admitted she didn’t exactly make the most financially savvy move. “So stupid,” she said, referring to the spontaneous car purchase she made more than two decades ago, even against her father’s advice. “I went on the Mazda lot. I’m like, ‘Oh, I’ve made it when I have a Mazda.’”
Gabrielle Union Roasts Her First Big Purchase
Union recalled that her dad had warned her. “Don’t buy a brand-new car,” he told her. “It depreciates the second you drive it off the lot.” But like many young stars experiencing newfound success, she ignored the advice.
“I walked into Mazda and I bought myself a black-on-black Mazda Miata with leather seats,” she shared, noting that the splurge wasn’t just financially unwise. It was physically painful, too. “Let me tell you about leather seats in Los Angeles,” she said, laughing. “Do you know I scorched myself every time I got out?” Union reflected that the car “depreciated the second I drove it off the lot,” and while it may not have been the smartest financial move, it was a memorable rite of passage for the then-rising star.
Over the years, Union and her husband, retired NBA champion Dwyane Wade, have both been candid about their finances, often using their platforms to encourage open conversations around money, legacy, and long-term planning. Even though that first purchase may have signed more than just her bank account, Union’s experience serves as a lighthearted reminder that even the most glamorous careers start with a few rookie mistakes.
Gabrielle Union Speaks Out About Dwyane Wade’s Cancer Revelation
This revelation comes shortly after Union opened up about her husband Dwyane Wade’s recent cancer diagnosis, a deeply personal moment she shared publicly to raise awareness and support. “Obviously, him getting that diagnosis was traumatic for him, you know, being faced with your own mortality in your early 40s,” she said. “You’re like, ‘Am I going to be here to see my family? Who am I without this big life? Without this healthy body?’ But you also don’t understand the journey and the toll it takes on your marriage, on your family, on your kids.”
Through it all, Union continues to approach life with honesty, humor, and heart. Whether she’s reflecting on financial missteps or facing life’s biggest challenges alongside her husband, the actress remains a powerful voice for vulnerability, growth, and resilience, both on and off the screen.
