Actress and "Perfect Find" producer Gabrielle Union is hitting back after years of criticism about her relationship and marriage to Dwyane Wade and their age difference.
Union optioned the book “The Idea of You” from her friend Robinne Lee and was now proud to bring the novel to the big screen at the SXSW Film & TV Festival premiere in Austin, Texas.
The relatable film follows Solène Marchand, a 40-year-old single mother portrayed by Anne Hathaway, who becomes romantically involved with a young partner almost 16 years her junior, Hayes Campbell, a 24-year-old boy band singer played by Nicholas Galitzine. At the core of the movie is how the two navigate the judgment and scrutiny as they try to find love.
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For Union, the story strikes a personal chord. Marrying the NBA star, who is nine years her junior, she's familiar with the societal eyebrow raises her lead character encounters.
As early as 2013 and 2014, people easily shared their disapproval on social media.
“Gabrielle Union (40) & Dwayne Wade (31) that's a 11 age difference. Do you think he too old for me I'm "18" that will be 13 year age difference,” a post read on X.
Gabrielle Union(40)&Dwayne Wade(31) thats a 11 age difference.Do you think he too old for me I'm "18" that will be 13 year age difference.😂😩
— Kiandra (@Kiandraaaa_) July 1, 2013
Years later, people were still talking about the age gap in her marriage.
“Age only matters in a relationship when someone is benefiting from being in the relationship,” one X user posted. “Gabrielle Union is 9 years older than Dwayne Wade but no cares because no one is benefiting from their relationship.”
Age only matters in a relationship when someone is benefiting from being in the relationship. Gabrielle Union is 9 years older than Dwayne Wade but no cares because no one is benefiting from their relationship.
— Yatclub (@YouGottaLaugh_) May 21, 2018
According to the Cover Girl spokeswoman, the "Idea of You" film is an opportunity to see middle-aged women in storylines where they too find love and happiness — graces she believes are often reserved on the silver screen for women much younger.
"I live it. I married my husband when I was almost 41, and everyone was like, ‘oh,’" Union told Business Insider at a screening of the film.
