Gabrielle Union is currently navigating what she describes as her "Let Them" era, a transformative season of peace that she recently detailed in a profound conversation with veteran broadcaster Angie Martinez. During a discussion on Angie Martinez IRL show, Martinez—whom Union’s husband, Dwyane Wade, considers a "goat" (greatest of all time) in the interviewing craft—facilitated a raw exploration of Union’s 33-year struggle with post-traumatic stress. For over three decades following a sexual assault, Union lived in a state of "full-body terror" and "full-body anxiety" that she expertly masked behind a polished professional exterior. She revealed to Martinez that this chronic stress manifested as debilitating autoimmune issues and inflammation so severe it sometimes altered her physical appearance. The breakthrough finally came through Nema, a specialized trauma therapy consisting of 10 to 15 intensive sessions that helped her nervous system finally feel safe. Since completing the program, Union reports that the constant "jolt" of being startled has vanished, her physical health has improved dramatically, and she has finally discovered what it feels like to have a soul at peace.
This journey toward healing was bolstered by a powerful network of "OGs" in Black Hollywood who provided protection and guidance when Union was a young actress. She credits Tisha Campbell with recognizing her early struggles and personally paying for her first extensive sessions with a Black woman therapist, removing any financial excuse for not seeking help.
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Similarly, Union recalled a pivotal moment on the set of Being Mary Jane when director Regina King visited her trailer with sunflower seeds to deliver a dose of tough love, telling her to "cut the shit" during a difficult day. Martinez and Union reflected on how this "sisterhood" uses its privilege as a shield, ensuring that the next generation of performers, such as Kiki Palmer and Megan Thee Stallion, have a "safe place in the storm". Martinez, drawing on her own experiences of showing up to work on her worst days, noted how often people miss the internal traumas others are carrying simply because they "know how to show up and deliver".
The conversation also turned to Union’s home life and her decade-long marriage to Dwyane Wade, which the couple describes as a living, breathing entity that requires constant nurturing. Union spoke about the challenges of adjusting to Wade’s retirement and his newfound passion for podcasting—a pursuit sparked by his admiration for Martinez’s own interview style.
Their parenting philosophy remains rooted in truth and agency; they supported their daughter Zaya’s decision to live her identity publicly, despite the "can of worms" it opened, and they actively teach young Kaavia to advocate for herself in everyday situations. However, Union admitted to Martinez that living so transparently has a steep price, including being placed on FBI "hit lists" due to their advocacy and truth-telling.
Now averaging an "eight" or "ten" on the happiness scale, Union emphasizes that she can no longer afford to live a "small life" to appease the noise of public opinion. She has learned to set firm boundaries, choosing to "love people from across the street" if they refuse to practice accountability or honesty. As Martinez and Union closed their session, Union defined peace as the literal "presence of God," suggesting that the absence of internal chaos is where one finally makes room for grace. By prioritizing her own "oxygen mask" first, Union has moved from a state of "dying slowly" to one of vibrant presence, proving that even after decades of terror, it is possible to reclaim one's body and soul.
