Gabrielle Union Gets Real About Surrogacy Journey
Gabrielle Union is speaking candidly about the emotional toll of surrogacy.
In a raw and vulnerable cover story for Marie Claire, the “Being Mary Jane” star reflected on what it felt like to welcome her daughter Kaavia James via surrogate in 2018 after years of struggling with infertility and failed IVF attempts.
The “Bring It On" star said, “For me, it felt like failure. My body failed.”
She continued, “It just felt like such a f—king public humiliation. Surrogacy felt like a cuckold; watching somebody do something I can’t do. To be there for somebody else succeeding where I failed — it is a mind f—k for people who have had my journey and who feel similarly. When it’s never been your reality, I get the urge to judge and cast aspersions because we all want whatever route we took to be the ‘right’ way.”
Kaavia, now six, is flourishing as the youngest in a blended family that includes older siblings Zaire, Zaya, and Xavier. And while critics of surrogacy may still have opinions, Union made it clear she’s focused on what really matters: “Your baby’s here and your baby’s awesome. My baby’s here and my baby’s awesome.”
Still, that doesn’t mean the pain completely disappeared. The Hollywood veteran admitted, “I’ll never have peace with it, ever.”
“That’s just—my yearning has never dissipated. I was so ready for my surprise, but all the prayers that didn’t get answered in the way that I thought made me more conscientious that my child is here,” she added.
Through it all, Union has continued to create, star, and parent with purpose. Over the years the “Riff Raff” actress has produced and appeared in several projects, released two children’s books inspired by Kaavia, and continues to use her voice to support non-traditional families navigating similar journeys.
