Ep 24: Gabrielle Union

Talking to Queen Gabrielle Union - let's just call this her coronation - is like stepping into an incubator of empowerment - so get ready for this epic new episode of Reign with Josh Smith. Like me, I’m sure many of you will have first fallen in love with Gabrielle when she played the cheerleader Isis in Bring It On. I said, ‘brr... It's cold in here! There must be some Clovers in the at-mos-phere!’ She then went on to star in the likes of Bad Boys II, Being Mary Jane, and LA’s Finest. But it's for her work off-screen - particularly speaking out about violence against women - that saw TIME Magazine name Gabrielle as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the world. And it’s her honesty about everything from fertility struggles to her relationship with her basketballer husband, Dwyane Wade in her two memoirs and to her 19 million Instagram followers, that has made Gabrielle a role model for the power of honesty and open conversations - something this podcast is all about. As Gabrielle releases her second memoir, Have You Got Anything Stronger (I couldn’t recommend it more and EVERYONE I know is getting it for Christmas) she opens up about raising her transgender daughter Zaya, what led to her finally being honest with others and herself, the lessons she has learnt from therapy, and the sexism and racism she faced when starting her fertility journey at 44. Plus Gabrielle opens up about doing right by her character, Isis in the Bring It On sequel which she is currently working on - SCREAMING!!!! So get ready for some real tea! I found talking to Gabrielle with my jaw wide open at her honesty so I hope her words make you feel less alone, whether you are struggling with fertility or just trying to be a little more honest with yourself and your friends. I really hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives, too. Until next time, WEAR THOSE CROWNS WITH PRIDE and get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxxP.S I am so proud that this episode of Reign with Josh Smith is brought to you thanks to my friends at Pandora because their new collection, Pandora Me, is all about embracing who you are and celebrating self expression - just like this podcast! There are NO RULES when it comes to expressing who you are and how you feel as Pandora Me is a completely customisable collection which features rings that can be connected together, mix’n’match links to create unique bracelets, and pendants that can be added to necklaces or earrings. With prices ranging from £15 to £200, it’s affordable luxury at its best. The new Pandora Me collection is available to shop now – just head over to uk.pandora.net to check it out or pop into your nearest store. I have my eye on a silver chain necklace and a stunning link spelling out FREEDOM that feels VERY me - so I’ll see you there! P.P.S. In this epsiode you will hear us talking about International Day of The Girl Child in this episode. And I just wanted to take a moment to tell you about a charity project that is so close to my heart - because this podcast is all about empowering women everywhere. To mark International Day of The Girl Child, the charity Right To Play have launched their Save Her Seat campaign. COVID-19 has left 11 million girls at risk of never returning to school. That's 11 million dreams dashed across the globe. The campaign aims to save 50,000 school seats so girls can return to the classroom. With decades of progress on the line, it's important we all come together to help girls everywhere. For more information head to their instagram account @righttoplayuk or https://www.righttoplay.org.uk/en-uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices