Why Gabrielle Union Doesn't Want To Be Called A Basketball Wife
God made woman from Adam's rib. Not from his head to rule over him, and not from his feet to be trampled, but under his arm to be protected and near his heart to be loved. With that being said, we can all agree the popular theory that a strong woman is behind every powerful man is incorrect, because the truth is, she's at his side. Times have changed, and men are no longer the only ones in the household who can bring home the bacon, and women like Gabrielle Union-Wade and La La Anthony are proof.
In the past, Gabrielle and La La have both been open about marital struggles, ranging from infidelity to infertility, but recently, the celebs opened up about the real reason they struggle with being "basketball wives". In February, at the National Basketball Wives Association Summit, La La revealed that her preconceived notions about the term took a significant toll on her marriage.
At only 15 years old, Brooklyn-born La La Anthony started her career in radio with an internship at a Georgia radio station. She later went on to study communications at Howard University, was co-hosting her own radio show by 19, and despite having no on-air experience, landed ongoing hosting gigs on MTV's TRL and Direct Effect. The young businesswoman built an entire career for herself based on her own merit, but to La La , it felt like that was all somewhat diminished the day she became a basketball player's wife.
"For many years, I personally fought against the term 'basketball wife.' I was so focused on having my own and not being known as someone married to a basketball player. And to be honest with you, my marriage really suffered because of that. I'm so proud to uplift my husband and not feel as though I'm sacrificing myself by doing so."
The road to finding her independence as a married woman came with animosity toward her husband and other "basketball wives" alike. Now, after allowing time for self-reflection, La La has learned to find balance and relinquish her judgment for other women in the same position.
"I'm so sorry I had those judgments about basketball wives. I'm continuing to grow and understand how much we need each other, and there are things we go through that only other basketball wives would understand."
Longtime friend and fellow industry professional, Gabrielle Union-Wade echoed this sentiment and said that part of breaking the stigma means allowing more room at the table:
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
"What's the point of getting a seat at the table if you're looking at the door every time it opens to judge the person coming through who is trying to pull in a chair?"
Gabrielle, new mommy and star of the new show L.A.'s Finest, also had a few words for people who want to put her in a box: don't do it to yourself, playa. The clap-back queen herself has made it known that she's more than just the First Lady of the Wade Household, and has a new term she'd like to bring to light. She told InStyle:
"I prefer 'Hollywood husband.' How about Dwyane Wade is Gabrielle Union's husband? There are no stereotypes or terms for men who are married to successful women. It's only in the reverse."
Gabrielle also had a very important piece of advice for women, both single and married, hoping to find their identity: Build yourself up first, sis. The actress explained that before she was able to discover stability and security in her her current relationship, she had to spend some time alone:
"I met [Dwyane] after getting divorced and failing miserably at marriage. I was already me and fully formed, financially solvent, and educated. I recommend you come in fully formed before going into a relationship because that whole Jerry Maguire 'you complete me' bullsh— is exactly that."
According to Gabrielle, the idea that falling in love will make us whole is completely backwards. Falling in love with YOU is actually the first step in finding true happiness. She continued:
"You complete you, and then find your person."
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Featured image by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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It Girl In Motion: Paige Shari Addison Shows Us Why She's The Hostess With The Mostess
Paige Shari Addison is the epitome of an ItGirl, which is why she is one of 100 ladies on xoNecole's inaugural ItGirl 100 list in partnership with Hyundai. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Paige started her journey as a host in high school by hosting parties. Since then, she has made a career in hosting, from parties to big-name events, and she launched Strictly RNB, a platform for new artists and R&B lovers. Paige reflects on her creative path in the limited video series "ItGirl in Motion."
“My first curated event at Criminal Records was incredible. It was all for up-and-coming artists,” she says. “I needed a platform for us as a collective to be able to give ourselves the platform instead of asking for it, instead of looking for it. I was like, I want to make sure I let people get this experience that I would give as a performer but enjoy the experience with them. It was a dream come true.”
The Atlanta native also has her own line of acai bowls called Soulfull Bowls. She started it during the pandemic after events and parties shut down. But it was her love for eating acai bowls and the reactions others had to them that made her want to make it her next business move. Being open to creating new ventures in the midst of uncertainty is a bold move and one of the reasons why Paige has the “it” factor.
“Being an ItGirl means you’re just authentic. There’s an air to us. We have confidence that exudes from the way we speak, the way we put our lip gloss on, the way we walk, the way we talk. I show up as myself everytime I walk into a room. I’m hospitable, I make sure everybody’s good,” she says.
Get to know more about the hostess with the mostess in the video above.
See our ItGirl 100 list in full here. Click through the gallery below for some BTS moments of Paige and our partnership with Hyundai.
Director: Mikkoh @mikkoh
Production company: @polly___studio
Producer/AD: Samuel Cho @choboi90
Producer/Tech: Paul Nguyen @paul__winn
DP: Cristian Bernal @cristianbernal
Editor: @30inthemorning
2nd Cam: Paul Nguyen
1st AC: AJ Paug @ajpaug Gaffer: Dennis Albert @dennisalbert_
Audio Mixer: Victor Chavez @vic_the__
PA: Rick Carreno @ispeakrick
PA: Tiffany Do @tivani.doee
BTS Photo: Prime @theartofprime
Car Detail: @sud_studs @slugglobal
Creative Director @hellobosco
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@xoNecole
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Feature image by Prime/ @theartof prime