Gabrielle Union went from playing a teen queen in Bring It On to a heart-wrenching role in The Birth of a Nation. With a long list of film credits, she’s maintained a steady acting and producing career — forever reinventing herself both onscreen and on the red carpet.
As an actress who rose to fame in the ’90s, Union once embraced babydoll cuts and lush velvet tube dresses. Through it all, she developed a fearless sense of style that achieves the perfect balance of sultry and chic. From a floor-length mint green floral Valentino gown to a barely-there Jean Paul Gaultier dress, or a flared ’70s blue-striped Baja East jumpsuit, she’s perfected the art of curated versatility. See her best looks from her well-meaning popular days as Katie on She’s All That to now, in the slideshow ahead.
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November 15, 2017Where: In New York City. What: Bag by Michael Kors.
Photo: Felipe Ramales / Splash News
October 17, 2017Where: In New York City. What: Shirt and trousers by Stella McCartney. Photo: Gotham/GC Images
September 28, 2017Where: At Ulta Beauty to promote her 'Flawless' line in Chicago. Photo: Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images
September 17, 2017Where: At the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
September 15, 2017Where: At Variety and Women In Film's pre-Emmy celebration. Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
August 11, 2017Where: Visiting 'Extra' at Universal Studios Hollywood. Photo: Noel Vasquez/Getty Images
June 25, 2017Where: At the Lanvin Menswear Spring/Summer 2018 show as part of Paris Fashion Week. Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
June 25, 2017Where: With Dwayne Wade outside the Thom Browne show during Paris Men's Fashion Week Spring 2018. What: Suit by Thom Browne. Photo...June 25, 2017Where: With Dwayne Wade outside the Thom Browne show during Paris Men's Fashion Week Spring 2018. What: Suit by Thom Browne. Photo: 2017 Melodie Jeng
June 24, 2017Where: Arriving with Dwayne Wade at the Balmain show during Paris Men's Fashion Week Spring 2018. Photo: 2017 Edward Berthelot
June 24, 2017Where: Outside of the Hermès show during Paris Men's Fashion Week Spring 2018. Photo: 2017 Christian Vierig
June 23, 2017Where: With Dwayne Wade outside of the Berluti show during Paris Men's Fashion Week Spring 2018. Photo: 2017 Jacopo Raule
June 22, 2017Where: Outside of the Louis Vuitton show during Paris Men's Fashion Week Spring 2018. Photo: 2017 Edward Berthelot
June 21, 2017Where: With Dwayne Wade during Paris Men's Fashion Week Spring 2018. Photo: 2017 Pierre Suu
June 8, 2017Where: Outside of the Stella McCartney presentation during New York Men's Fashion Week Spring 2018. Photo: 2017 Melodie Jeng
June 5, 2017Where: At the 2017 CFDA Awards in New York City. Photo: 2017 Jackson Lee
April 7, 2017Where: With Dwayne Wade in New York City. Photo: 2017 Michael Stewart
April 4, 2017Where: At a screening of 'The Fate Of The Furious' in Atlanta. Photo: 2017 Prince Williams
March 13, 2017Where: Backstage at the 'A Night on the Runwade' fashion event in Chicago. Photo: 2017 Bobby Metelus
February 26, 2017Where: At the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles. Photo: 2017 Jon Kopaloff
February 24, 2017Where: At the 10th Annual Women In Film Pre-Oscar Cocktail Party in Los Angeles. Photo: 2017 Steve Granitz
February 23, 2017Where: At the ESSENCE 10th Annual Black Women in Hollywood Awards Gala in Los Angeles.
Photo: 2017 Rodin Eckenroth
February 7, 2017Where: At 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' in Los Angeles. Photo: 2017 Bauer-Griffin
January 11, 2017Where: In New York City. Photo: 2017 BuzzFoto
January 10, 2017Where: In New York City. Photo: 2017 Raymond Hall
January 5, 2017Where: At the premiere of 'Sleepless' in Los Angeles. Photo: 2017 Paul Archuleta
November 3, 2016Where: At the premiere of 'Almost Christmas' in Los Angeles. Photo: 2016 Paul Archuleta
November 1, 2016Where: At a taping of 'Watch What Happens Live' in New York City.
Photo: 2016 Bravo Media LLC
October 31, 2016Where: At Heidi Klum's 17th Annual Halloween Party in New York City. Photo: 2016 Gilbert Carrasquillo
October 26, 2016Where: At a screening of 'Almost Christmas' in Atlanta. Photo: 2016 Prince Williams
October 11, 2016Where: At the premiere of 'The Birth of a Nation' in London. Photo: 2016 Mike Marsland
September 22, 2016Where: At the premiere of 'The Birth of a Nation' in Los Angeles. Photo: 2016 Jason LaVeris
September 10, 2016Where: At the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival. Photo: 2016 Michael Tran
September 9, 2016Where: At the premiere of 'The Birth of a Nation' during the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival. Photo: 2016 J. Countess
July 13, 2016Where: At the 2016 ESPYS in Los Angeles. Photo: 2016 Gregg DeGuire
July 12, 2016Where: At the BODY At the ESPYS pre-party in Los Angeles. Photo: 2016 Allen Berezovsky
July 7, 2016Where: In New York City. Photo: 2016 Robert Kamau
June 26, 2016Where: At the 2016 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: 2016 Jason LaVeris
June 25, 2016Where: At the Genius Talks during the 2016 BET Experience in Los Angeles. Photo: 2016 Jerod Harris/BET
June 17, 2016Where: At the 2016 American Black Film Festival in Miami. Photo: 2016 J. Countess
June 15, 2016Where: At Dwayne Wade's car launch at The Collection in Miami. Photo: 2016 Alexander Tamargo
June 9, 2016Where: At the 7th Annual amfAR Inspiration Gala in New York City. Photo: 2016 Kevin Mazur
June 7, 2016Where: At the Public School show during New York Men's Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photo: 2016 Patrick McMullan
June 6, 2016Where: At the 2016 CFDA Fashion Awards in New York City. Photo: 2016 WireImage
May 20, 2016Where: At Step Up's 13th Annual Inspiration Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: This content is subject to copyright.
April 30, 2016Where: At the Vanity Fair White House Correspondents' Association Dinner afterparty in Washington D.C.
Photo: �� 2016 Bloomberg F...April 30, 2016Where: At the Vanity Fair White House Correspondents' Association Dinner afterparty in Washington D.C.
Photo: �� 2016 Bloomberg Finance LP
April 29, 2016Where: At the Google/HBO celebration of 'All The Way' in Washington D.C. Photo: 2016 Paul Morigi
March 31, 2016Where: At the premiere of 'Confirmation' in Los Angeles. Photo: 2016 Jason LaVeris
February 28, 2016Where: At the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles. Photo: 2016 Axelle/Bauer-Griffin
February 13, 2016Where: At the DWade All Star Bowling Classic in Toronto. Photo: 2016 George Pimentel
February 5, 2016Where: At the 47th Annual NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles.
Photo: 2016 Jason LaVeris
January 25, 2016Where: In Park City, Utah. Photo: 2016 GC Images
January 23, 2016Where: At WGN America's Underground Party in Park City, Utah. Photo: 2016 Araya Diaz
January 10, 2016Where: At the 2016 InStyle and Warner Bros. 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards Post-Party in Los Angeles. Photo: 2016 Axelle/Bauer...January 10, 2016Where: At the 2016 InStyle and Warner Bros. 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards Post-Party in Los Angeles. Photo: 2016 Axelle/Bauer-Griffin
November 14, 2015Where: At the RunWade Fashion Event in Miami. Photo: 2015 Alexander Tamargo
October 14, 2015Where: In New York City. Photo: 2015 Raymond Hall
October 13, 2015Where: Leaving a taping of 'Live With Kelly and Michael' in New York City. Photo: 2015 Ray Tamarra
October 12, 2015Where: In New York City. Photo: 2015Raymond Hall
October 12, 2015Where: At the Sirius XM Studios in New York City. Photo: 2015 Ray Tamarra
September 14, 2015Where: At the rag & bone show during New York Fashion Week Spring 2016. Photo: 2015 Paul Morigi
September 13, 2015Where: At New York Fashion Week Spring 2016. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
September 11, 2015Where: At the Wes Gordon show during New York Fashion Week Spring 2016. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
August 18, 2015Where: At the Samsung Galaxy Launch Party in Los Angeles. Photo: 2015 Jason LaVeris
August 10, 2015Where: At the premiere of 'Straight Outta Compton' in Los Angeles. Photo: 2015 Jason LaVeris
July 14, 2015Where: At the Todd Snyder show during New York Men's Fashion Week Spring 2016. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
July 14, 2015Where: At the EFM Engineered for Motion presentation during New York Men's Fashion Week Spring 2016. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
July 13, 2015Where: At New York Men's Fashion Week Spring 2016. Photo: 2015 Stephen Lovekin
June 28, 2015Where: At the 2015 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
May 13, 2015Where: At the Tribute To African-American Achievements In Television at the Paley Center in New York City. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
February 6, 2015Where: At the 46th Annual NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: 2015 Gregg DeGuire
January 7, 2015Where: At the 41st Annual People's Choice Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: 2015 Getty Images
December 3, 2014Where: At the premiere of 'Top Five' in New York City. Photo: 2014 Getty Images
June 29, 2014Where: At the 2014 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: 2014 Getty Images
June 9, 2014Where: At the premiere of 'Think Like A Man' in Los Angeles. Photo: 2014 Getty Images
May 5, 2014Where: At the 'Charles James: Beyond Fashion' Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Photo: 2014...May 5, 2014Where: At the 'Charles James: Beyond Fashion' Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Photo: 2014 FilmMagic
March 2, 2014Where: At the 2014 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles. Photo: 2014 C Flanigan
October 2, 2013Where: At the Miu Miu show during Paris Fashion Week Spring 2014. Photo: 2013 Getty Images
September 20, 2013Where: At the 2013 Entertainment Weekly Pre-Emmy Party in Los Angeles. Photo: 2013 Jason LaVeris
August 29, 2013Where: At the Miu Miu Women's Tales during the 70th Venice International Film Festival. Photo: 2013 Getty Images
July 17, 2013Where: At the 2013 ESPYS in Los Angeles. Photo: 2013 Allen Berezovsky
June 30, 2013Where: At the 2013 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: 2013 Getty Images
February 21, 2013Where: At the 6th Annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Luncheon in Los Angeles. Photo: 2013 Getty Images
October 22, 2012Where: At her 40th Birthday Party With Courvoisier Gold in New York City. Photo: 2012 Jerritt Clark
April 3, 2012Where: At the premiere of 'Think Like A Man' in Atlanta. Photo: 2012 Moses Robinson
January 13, 2012Where: At the 2012 BET Honors in Los Angeles. Photo: 2012 Getty Images
December 9, 2011Where: At the American Giving Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: 2011 Getty Images
December 3, 2011Where: At the Evenings in Vogue Missoni presentation in Miami. Photo: 2011 Getty Images
October 12, 2011Where: At the REACH: 24 Portraits benefit in Los Angeles. Photo: 2011 Getty Images
April 2, 2011Where: At the TAO Beach Season Opening in Las Vegas. Photo: This content is subject to copyright.
February 27, 2011Where: At the 2011 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles. Photo: 2011 Getty Images
February 20, 2011Where: At the 2011 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles. Photo: 2011 Getty Images
February 14, 2011Where: At the Carolina Herrera show during New York Fashion Week Fall 2011. Photo: 2011 Getty Images
February 10, 2011Where: At New York Fashion Week Fall 2011. Photo: 2011 Getty Images
January 15, 2011Where: At the 2011 BET Honors in Los Angeles. Photo: 2011 Getty Images
August 10, 2010Where: At the Nylon + Express August Denim Issue Party in Los Angeles. Photo: 2010 Getty Images
March 7, 2010Where: At the 2010 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles. Photo: 2010 Getty Images
February 26, 2010Where: At the 41st Annual NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: 2010 Getty Images
January 30, 2010Where: At the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: 2010 Getty Images
January 27, 2010Where: At the ESSENCE Black Women In Music event in Los Angeles. Photo: 2010 Getty Images
January 16, 2010Where: At the 2010 BET Honors in Los Angeles. Photo: 2010 Getty Images
September 20, 2009Where: At the 13th Annual Entertainment Tonight Emmy party in Los Angeles. Photo: 2009 Getty Images
August 8, 2009Where: At the Disney-ABC Television Group Summer Press Tour Party in Los Angeles. Photo: 2009 Getty Images
May 13, 2009Where: At Maxim's Annual Hot 100 Celebration in Los Angeles. Photo: 2009 Getty Images
May 2, 2009Where: At the 135th Kentucky Derby in Louisville. Photo: 2009 Getty Images
December 16, 2008Where: At the premiere of 'Seven Pounds' in Los Angeles. Photo: 2008 Getty Images
December 1, 2008Where: At the premiere of 'Cadillac Records' in New York City. Photo: 2008 Getty Images
July 8, 2008Where: At the premiere of 'Meet Dave' in Los Angeles. Photo: 2008 Getty Images
June 24, 2008Where: At the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: 2008 Getty Images
November 24, 2008Where: At the premiere of 'Cadillac Records' in Los Angeles. Photo: 2008 Getty Images
December 10, 2007Where: At the 'Perfect Holiday' celebration in New York City. Photo: 2007 Getty Images
May 3, 2007Where: At the Escada Grand Reopening Event in Los Angeles. Photo: 2007 Getty Images
February 25, 2007Where: At the 2007 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles. Photo: 2007 Getty Images
February 7, 2007Where: At the premiere of 'Daddy's Little Girls' in Los Angeles. Photo: 2007 Getty Images
January 15, 2007Where: At the InStyle and Warner Bros. Golden Globe Awards Afterparty in Los Angeles. Photo: 2007 Getty Images
October 10, 2006Where: At the launch party for Our Stories Films in Los Angeles. Photo: 2006 Getty Images
May 5, 2006Where: At the Grand Gala Hilton in Louisville. Photo: 2006 Getty Images
April 8, 2006Where: At the Maxim Magazine 100th Issue Celebration in Las Vegas. Photo: 2006 Getty Images
March 20, 2006Where: At 'An Evening of Beauty and Wellness' in Los Angeles. Photo: 2006 Getty Images
March 5, 2006Where: At the 2006 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles. Photo: 2006 Getty Images
January 16, 2006Where: At the InStyle and Warner Bros. Golden Globe Awards Afterparty in Los Angeles. Photo: 2006 Getty Images
June 28, 2005Where: At the 2005 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: 2005 Getty Images
March 19, 2005Where: At the 36th Annual NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: 2005 Getty Images
June 29, 2004Where: At the 2004 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: 2004 Getty Images
March 6, 2004Where: At the 36th Annual NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles.
February 7, 2004Where: At the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Party in Los Angeles. Photo: 2004 Getty Images
September 9, 2003Where: At the inaugural 'Rodeo Drive Walk of Style' event in Los Angeles. Photo: 2003 Getty Images
July 9, 2003Where: At the premiere of 'Bad Boys II' in Los Angeles. Photo: 2003 Getty Images
May 30, 2003Where: At the Ashton Kutcher & Endeavor's MTV Movie Awards kick-off party in Los Angeles. Photo: 2003 Getty Images
May 31, 2002Where: At the 15th Annual ESSENCE Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: This content is subject to copyright.
July 31, 2001Where: At the premiere of 'Original Sin' in Los Angeles. Photo: This content is subject to copyright.
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