“I can’t pretend balance exists,” Gabrielle Union declared on May 7 at Café Carmellini, just before top editors honored her for a role that many underappreciate. In an era of glossy “have-it-alls,” Union’s cover story drops a truth bomb: motherhood demands community, not perfection. Her unapologetic stance on guilt, grace, and “asking for help” cuts deeper than any celebrity reveal.

On May 7, 2025, Marie Claire and Moms First unveiled the inaugural Power Moms List, honoring seven trailblazing mothers, including Union. The list also included singer-songwriter Kali Uchis, actress and mental health advocate Deepika Padukone, Bobbie infant formula co-founders Laura Modi and Sarah Hardy (who stepped up during the California wildfires), attorney Cherelle Griner, and J.Crew’s womenswear visionary, Olympia Gayot. Different paths, different platforms—but the same unshakable truth. These women are shaping a world that works better for all of us.

After being named one of Marie Claire’s Power Moms, Union took to her Instagram with a message that felt like a warm hug to moms everywhere. “Thank you, @marieclairemag, for this incredible honor,” she wrote. “I share it with all mothers—and with the unwavering hearts of my village who have never faltered in their love, belief, and support. This moment is ours.”

Her post honored the community that sustains every mom’s journey. For Gabrielle, being a mom has never been about doing it all alone. In her Marie Claire cover story, she got real about the guilt and struggle that comes with trying to balance it all, especially when raising Zaire and Dahveon while working full-time. “But there’s no balance,” she admitted. “I can’t work in Atlanta 12 to 16 hours a day and think that I can have balance when I’m flying in on the weekends. Now I rely heavily on our village, and there is zero shame in that.”

And she means a true village—“Not only do we have their long-term nanny, we’ve had mannies, we have family members, we have aunties, we have tutors, teachers, therapists. It’s all hands on deck.” She knows so many of us carry shame about needing help, but she’s made peace with it. “I had to give myself a ton of grace and be like, I can’t do it. I’m not even going to attempt having some kind of balance when none exists.” It’s honest, it’s vulnerable—and it’s exactly why this honor feels so well-earned.

So, how does she do it? How does Union navigate the beautiful, messy, all-consuming journey of motherhood while balancing the spotlight, the scripts, and everything in between?

Gabrielle Union’s masterclass in parenting

Union raises her five children and redefines modern motherhood. Every child in her home gets a different version of her, and that’s not dysfunction; that’s precision. “Each child needs a different version of me,” she says. With Zaire, Dahveon, Zaya, Xavier, and little Kaavia, Gabrielle meets them where they are, whether it’s playing the soft voice of reason or stepping in when Dwyane Wade’s words land too heavily. She doesn’t do it because he’s wrong, but because she understands how weight hits differently depending on who’s holding it. This is emotional fluency, not just parenting.

Gabrielle doesn’t pretend to juggle it all with perfect lipstick and Pinterest snacks—she’s honest about the chaos. And her candidness about surrogacy hits the deepest notes. The joy of Kaavia’s arrival is real—but so is the pain. “Surrogacy felt like a cho—-ld… For me, it felt like failure. My body failed,” she admits. Even years later, she’s not afraid to grieve the pregnancy experience she never got, but her gratitude for her daughter is immense. “If I had the ability to do this myself, I would’ve,” she says. She owns it all—no shame, just truth.

And when it comes to her parenting journey, Gabrielle Union is equally transparent, especially with Zaya. She’s fiercely protective of her transgender daughter and unapologetically vocal about it. “Loving my kid unapologetically out loud? The bar is on the damn floor,” she says. For Gabrielle and Dwyane, it’s not about being groundbreaking—it’s just about common sense, kindness, and compassion. “It’s my job to keep her safe and loved,” Gabrielle says. She knows her child doesn’t need to be molded—just empowered and protected in her authenticity.

This unapologetic approach to motherhood came at a time when Gabrielle was ready for it. “I have a lot more patience and a lot less resentment,” she says, reflecting on her timing as a mother. But even with that patience, menopause and autoimmune challenges have their own hurdles. “You’re dealing with the guilt of not showing up the way I’m used to,” she admits. Yet, through it all, Gabrielle’s ability to empathize shines. “I’ve always been very intuitive… I just feel their anxiety,” she says, continuing to lead with love and understanding, no matter the challenges that come her way.