Dwyane Wade Reveals The 'Hardest Thing' He's Ever Had To Do In His Relationship With Gabrielle Union
Walking in your truth can be uncomfortable, especially if that truth hurts someone you love, but the mature saints that are rocking with us in here tonight know that a lie don't care who tell it.
That's exactly why Dwyane Wade made the decision to be honest with his now-wife, Gabrielle Union, early-on about the child that he fathered with his ex, Aja Metoyer, while their relationship was on-break. In a snippet from his upcoming documentaryD Wade: Life Unexpected, Dwyane opened up about how carrying the secret of his newfound paternity ultimately affected his mental health and revealed how he ultimately broke the news to Gabrielle:
"I had a child with someone else and I had to tell her. Hardest thing I've ever had to do is man up and tell Gabrielle Union that I've had a child with somebody else. I couldn't sleep. I wasn't eating."
While I'm not here for praising a man for doing what he's supposed to do, owning your sh*t isn't as easy as it looks and it's admirable to know that Dwyane has now taken responsibility for a mistake that at one point, Gabrielle blamed herself for. In a 2014 interview with Glamour, the actress explained:
"[When Dwyane and I broke up briefly in 2013], it was because of distance and scheduling. I finished filming the show, then I flew to Vegas right away to start shooting 'Think Like a Man Too'. I couldn't take time off, and I missed some quality togetherness we desperately needed."
In the documentary, Dwyane also said that because he is aware of how his actions have hurt the ones he loves in the past, he's intentional about moving differently in the future. Although Dwyane and Gabby's relationship may have hit a rough patch in the past, the athlete says that their focus on moving forward has allowed them to weather the storm:
"When you hold something in that you know is going to come out and you have this information and you know it's gonna f**k somebody's life up, that you care about, that you love, if it don't hurt you, then you're not human. Me and Gab just went through something that you never want to go through and we still came out of it."
Along with their past romantic rifts, the couple says that they have been open about the more controversial times in their life, including but not limited to choosing surrogacy and Dwyane's 12-year-old daughter Zaya's gender transition, simply because it's necessary:
"We're not the only family that deals with all the things we've spoken about. We're not the only family that had to deal with surrogacy, to bring our daughter into the world. We're not the only family that's had to deal with gender expression, gender identity, sexuality, with their child.
"We understand the position we've been put in, especially in our community, and even though it's not always a popular thing to speak out on issues that people are uncomfortable with or not as educated on. But this is the platform that God gave me and my family, so we use it."
Featured image by Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
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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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8 'It Girl' Podcasts To Help You Level Up And Elevate Your Thinking
Black folk love a good podcast, and the numbers don't lie: A report found that a whopping 43% of the U.S. Black population are monthly podcast listeners. Among those listeners, 55 percent are women, and 75% overall, Black listeners are drawn to shows that focus on our unique stories and perspectives.
Listening to a good podcast can leave you feeling energized, seen, and understood, especially when Black women hosts are at the lead. And if you're a lover of multitasking motivation, they're perfect to enjoy while doing your household chores or driving to your next appointment.
Since xoNecole, in partnership with Hyundai, has launched its inaugural ItGirl 100 List—a celebration of fierce, ultra-creative, Black women, across industries—here are a few podcasts to add to your list for leveling up in all aspects of your life and career:
1.Therapy For Black Girls With Dr. Joy Harden Bradford
Addressing mental health issues and redefining wellness in that area is a great first start for leveling up, whether personally or professionally. Dr. Joy Harden Bradford is keeping the momentum going this year, offering insights on subjects including finding "purpose in profit," healing from grief, and more.
2.Healed Girl Era With Gia Peppers
Known for making her own amazing boss moves in media, Gia Peppers is expanding on the impact she had with her previous podcast, "More Than That," with "Healed Girl Era," a show that focuses on topics including self-love cultivation and candid conversations with other successful women we love like author and speaker Luvvie Ajayi, Oscar-nominated actress Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple), and entrepreneur Jovian Zayne.
3.The Mama's Den
For all the moms holding down the house while loving on their pride and joys, this is a great podcast that talks about issues ranging from pop culture snafus to friendship maintenance. The conversations also affirm Black women's identities that go beyond being "mommy," and how women can truly embrace self-care as parents.
4.The Light Podcast with Michelle Obama
The former U.S. First Lady taps into her network of friends and family to drop jewels on friendship, marriage, relationship building, and some of her own personal experiences of life post-White House. What's great about this is if you loved any of her books, you can get even more elevated inspiration.
5.The Scottie & Sylvia Show
Media personalities and best friends Scottie Beam and Sylvia Obell got rave reviews and built a robust community of supporters with Okay, Now Listen during the pandemic but ended recording episodes of the super-successful show in 2022. They came back strong, launching their latest podcast, The Scottie & Sylvia Show, via Issa Rae's Raedio, addressing topics on romance, colorism, and vulnerability in the engaging way that’s made them a crowd favorite.
6.Money Talk With Tiff
Can't level up with talking about personal finance, and Tiffany Grant, an accredited financial counselor, shares realistic tips on subjects like how to tackle debt and the best approach to having the money talk with your bae. The show also features interviews with entrepreneurs and experts on real estate investing and entrepreneurship.
7.The Thought Card
Danielle Desir Corbette meshes her passion for travel with personal finance advocacy with this podcast. She offers insights on "travel hacking" and content about unique travel experiences that put Black culture and enlightenment at the center of the adventure.
8.Just Us Podcast
This podcast is hosted by besties who are lawyers by training, and co-host Tashira Halyard (who left a career in law to go full-time as a content creator) boldly holds space, offering her very relatable take on social, economic, and personal topics that affect Black women in the workplace and society at large. This podcast particularly showcases the power of connection, understanding, and common ground that is magnified when two powerful millennials from diverse backgrounds actually talk, listen, and respectfully relate with one another in ways that are affirming and truth-seeking.
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Featured image Delmaine Donson/Getty Images