Another day, another Black woman defies aging. But this time, we’re zoomed in on Gabrielle Union. The award-winning actress stumped everyone after celebrating her 50th birthday on October 29. In a couple of IG posts, the mom of one revealed that she was “Walkin Into 50… Like A Champion” wearing a black and gold Mugler dress.
In her next Instagram post, the Being Mary Jane star shared the deets surrounding her epic surprise 50th birthday party. As a part of their Wade World Tour, Gabrielle, Dwyane Wade, and their family flew to Zanzibar, Tanzania for an unforgettable vacation. But the actress didn’t know just what her hubby had in store for her.
“I’m still processing the level of effort and planning that went into pulling off such an unbelievable 50th birthday party in Zanzibar Tanzania and keep the details a surprise from my nosy self,” the birthday girl wrote. “I’m beyond grateful for all of my loved ones who flew around the world to celebrate with me.”
Gab thanked her husband Dwyane, her event planner, and others for giving her a surprise of a lifetime, which included an exceptional performance by singer Lisa Velez of Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam. “How @dwyanewade @ronndarocksevents @dauniedaune got THE @lisalisall77 to come all this way to perform was unreal,” she said. “Thank you Lisa for being so amazing to my Mom & reminding me that your childhood heroes can turn out to be as lovely as you imagined them.”
She added, “I’m just floating on gratitude and to know this is just our 1st stop on the #wadeworldtour2022 🌍 Edition, I’m the happiest seasoned gal around.”
Gabrielle has worked in Hollywood for over three decades. She guest appeared in several ‘90s sitcoms like Moesha and Sister, Sister and starred in beloved films like Bring It On, Think Like a Man and Think Like a Man Too, Bad Boys II, and more. Entering the industry as a model who ventured into acting, we have witnessed the growth of her star power thanks to her speaking out on issues in Hollywood such as racial discrimination and more recently the anti-LGBTQ bill.
She has also ventured outside of Hollywood to pursue other avenues such as publishing her two books We’re Gonna Need More Wine and You Got Anything Stronger? And launching her hair care line Flawless.
Gabrielle shares a birthday with Tracee Ellis Ross who also turned 50.
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Featured image by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for FLC