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Gabrielle Union

Source: Manny Hernandez/Getty Images / Getty

Gabrielle Union is basically an open book when it comes to her life, career, and loves. BET’s Being Mary Jane star has been in the public eye for quite some time, and being married to Miami Heat shooting guard, Dwayne Wade, only makes her more interesting.

For the May issue of Ocean Drive the 43-year-old stunner poses in Altuzarra, Norma Kamali, Emilio Pucci, and Dolce & Gabbana. Looking flawless as ever, she talks about her most challenging role yet, playing Mary Jane Paul, and her oh-so-sexy hubby.

Read some of the gems from the interview.

On her The Birth of a Nation role: “He [white plantation owner] sees her and feels entitled to her body. What happens to her is one of the things that sets in motion one of the most successful slave liberations in the history of our country. I definitely didn’t want to be the chick from Bring It On to screw up this incredibly important, powerful film. I just really wanted to—not only as an actor, but as a sexual-assault victim myself—convey the powerlessness that one feels, the voicelessness, the terror, the heartbreak, the physical, emotional, spiritual devastation. This experience was extremely powerful and moving, and it happened at the right time in my life, when I needed to find more purpose in my work. And I found it.”

On the lack of diversity in Hollywood: “Half the time, [African Americans] don’t even get the opportunity to fail. At least let me audition, so you can say I just wasn’t good enough, but most times black actors can’t even get in the door. The idea that the playing field has ever been equal is a farce. With leaps and bounds of advances, it’s still grossly unequal—and that goes for the Latino, Asian, Middle Eastern, and LGBT communities as well. We’ve made strides, but if Hollywood is really going to mirror the world that it’s catering to, we have a long, long way to go.”

On getting married: “D and I could have gone on for a long time as boyfriend and girlfriend but the kids were the driving force in wanting us to be a legitimate, like, real—and I’m using my finger quotes—family in their eyes. We got on board with it, and it’s the best decision we could have made—not just for us as a couple, but for our family.”

On fun family activities: “One of D’s favorite things to do as a family is go to Walmart. We really enjoy Walmart, Target, going to the grocery store. He loves to take the dogs to the car wash. He’s the guy with the Maltese at the car wash! But in Miami, it’s more challenging. He’d never make it through Walgreens. Although I have attempted to send him for tampons, he won’t do it! Can you imagine?”

Read the complete interview and see her gorgeous photo shoot at Ocean Drive.

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