Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade allow their children to “feel free” — but within reason.
“We give them freedom to be their full selves, and we support that in every way, shape, and form, with no limitations outside of character,” Union, 53, told Us Weekly exclusively at The Abbey’s 35th Anniversary in West Hollywood on Wednesday, May 20. “They’re not going to be an a**hole, but anything else, sky’s the limit.”
Union and Wade, 44, wed in August 2014. They welcomed a daughter, Kaavia, via surrogate in November 2018. Union is also a stepmother to Wade’s children from prior relationships. He and ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches share son Zaire, 24, and daughter Zaya, 18. He also shares son Xavier, 12, with Aja Metoyer and is the legal guardian of nephew Dahveon, 21.
After Zaya came out as transgender in 2020, both Union and Wade have become outspoken supporters of the trans community.
“The best part is knowing that we created an environment that was safe, that allowed her to blossom,” Union told Us on Wednesday of Zaya specifically.
The Bring It On alum also gushed over “bedtime” being her favorite part of day with the kids.
“Kaavia has a very elaborate bedtime routine,” Union told Us. “Every night since she was born it’s book, and the bedtime — she’s stretching it.”
She added, “We don’t mess with her bedtime, we are always all there. Even if it’s by FaceTime from halfway across the world. That’s our special time.”
Union also discussed how faith — which is an important part of her life — has made them a stronger family unit.
“My faith is rooted in humanity,” the actress explained. “So, it’s kind of beyond organized religion into humanity.”
Union added, “I think that sometimes, with organized religion, we lose a little sight of actual people. We treat everyone the way we want to be treated. Period. We don’t mess with nobody’s money, we don’t mess with people’s time, and we show respect at all times. That’s it.”
Union has not been shy about her and Wade’s tight family unit in the past. She even spoke candidly last year about the ups and downs they experienced when the former NBA star experienced a kidney cancer scare in 2023. Wade underwent surgery after the diagnosis to remove a cancerous tumor.
“You also don’t understand the journey and the toll it takes on your marriage, on your family, on your kids,” she said on Today With Jenna and Friends in February 2025, explaining that Wade was “a little more hesitant” to allow those closest to him to see his “journey of healing.”
She added, “That level of vulnerability, to go through removal of a good chunk of his kidney and the healing that involved, he needed us to be OK with his vulnerability.”
