Gabrielle Union is 51 years old and thriving in her personal and professional life, but she’s not pretending that everything is perfect in Hollywood. Instead, she’s become a powerful voice for women over 50 when it comes to “feeling seen” in this stage of life, especially when it comes to perimenopause and menopause.
Union shared her thoughts in a fireside chat at PHM HealthFront™ 2024 on Friday in New York City where she struck a chord with audience members about how women are often overlooked in the latter half of their lives. She related her tale about the “invisibility” she sometimes feels in society. “I’m anything but invisible. I think the more we talk about it, the more people can feel seen… the more people can feel in community, and not like they are lost,” she said.
She’s taking this message to the big screen as a producer on Anne Hathaway’s upcoming movie, The Idea of You. Hathaway plays a 40-year-old woman who finds herself on a surprising love journey with a 24-year-old pop star — it’s a “coming-of-age” story with a twist. Union explained why she connected with the narrative immediately after reading Robinne Lee’s bestselling romance novel.
“The dream is really to be seen. I love that story; I can relate to that story. I happen to be an older gal with a younger fella,” she winked to the audience about her almost 10-year marriage to former NBA star Dwyane Wade, 42. “But to be truly seen is to be truly loved. When you are finally able to see yourself, that’s the best kind of love.”
That’s not the only hot topic Union discussed because she’s ready to have the “bigger conversation” around perimenopause and menopause. After all, “it’s weird that people don’t talk about it.” She pointed out that “it’s whispered” about between women like it’s some sort of terrible secret instead of a season of life that needs to be better researched. “There’s no shame in aging, there’s no shame in everyone acknowledging what’s actually happening, and coming up with solutions together,” she added. Yes, shout it from the rooftops!
And take this advice that Union shared with Flow Space last year to heart: “There’s nothing wrong with you. Your heart is still beautiful and pure. You’re still lovable and sexy.” It’s a powerful mantra to remember.