Gabrielle Union is reflecting on a moment in her career where she was passed up because she was not ‘pretty enough’.
According to Vibe the 51 yr old actress said it came down to just two women, herself and someone she has not named.
“Years ago, I was up for a big job,” detailed the actress to Netflix’s Strong Black Lead platform Sunday. “And after numerous callbacks, and studio tests, it was down to just the two of us.”
“I was told I didn’t get the part because ‘She’s just prettier than you.’ For someone who had low self-esteem, it just felt like there was no place for me, for my kind of Blackness.”
In her reflection, the Perfect Find star explains how the moment impacted her outlook on the entertainment industry.
“It pretty much killed that confident pep in my step, and I was equating my looks to my ability to do the job,” expressed Union. “I recognize that if I had gotten that job and I was around people like that, my soul would be worn down. I only want to be in spaces where I’m wanted.“
She added, ‘When someone shows you, by how they negotiate, what they think your real value is, that opening number, you have to take that as a sign. Because in their perfect world, you would accept that low number. And as you then have to negotiate your value, it reveals a lot about the experience that you’re about to embark on.”
People in the comment section started speculating on just who the mystery lady was with the most popular guess being Kerry Washington.
one user wrote:
The role was Olivia Pope in “Scandal”. It came down to her and Kerry Washington. They are both beautiful women. I think the role fit Kerry better, then Gabrielle got “Being Mary Jane”, which suited her better as well. What’s meant for you will be for you.
We all know what that role was, honestly I think the role fit the other actor perfectly. Gabrielle found the role that fit her perfectly as well in Being Mary Jane.
If this is Scandal then all they had to say was you both did great but she just bodied what we are looking for a little bit more. That happens… and yeah sometimes the deciding factor will be who is prettier but what an ass to say that to someone but let’s be real, most of the time prettier to them just means lighter.?
The prettier than you statement was a dig and meant to hurt her. She’s a beautiful woman. I hear what she’s saying but if we only were in spaces where we were wanted…we would never have created other spaces. Sometimes you have to create the space within the place you are so that others can come behind you. The “go where you are celebrated” motto feels good, it’s safe but greatness requires discomfort, challenges and most of all your presence!
“She’s just prettier than you” is Wild in GENERAL… it is unfathomably wild when said to Gabrielle Union. I always appreciate your transparency, authenticity… and the way you discuss transforming tribulations into triumphs.
Do you think it was Kerry? Let us know in the comments.
