Post by CarolinaCutie on Aug 1, 2003 15:07:07 GMT -4
GABRIELLE UNION: RAPE SURVIVOR, NOT VICTIM: Actress survives real-life bad boy
*Gabrielle Union is popularly known as an actress that really becomes her characters. Her role in "Bad Boys ll," however, probably hits a little too close to home for the 29-year old actress.
Union, who has previously discussed being raped, this time spoke candidly to Shaun Robinson of 'Access Hollywood' about a real-life incident in 1992, which the actress literally had to fight for her life.
"During a robbery at a store where I worked at my summer job, I was raped and beaten and actually had a real gunfight for my life. Fortunately, I survived and the man was convicted and is in prison now," confided Union.
Her attacker is now serving a 33-year sentence in a California prison.
Only 19 when the attack occurred, Union, now 29, declares herself a survivor instead of a victim.
"From that experience and therapy and a lot of family and friend support, I came out stronger and wiser," said the talented beauty.
When asked if the incident made her tougher in how she now handles people and situations, Union replies, "Oh yes, definitely how I handle people. I respect people's space and how I handle weapons. When one is pointed at you it's not entertainment."
During the filming of "Bad Boys II," Union had an unsettling scene. When her character, a DEA agent, had to shoot a gun, she couldn't stop shaking thinking back to that dreadful incident.
"It doesn't take a lot of, 'Oh let me recall this or that.' It just becomes very real," she recalled.
EURweb.com
I'm sooooo happy that she has turned a negative situation around into a good one. She is a gem!
*Gabrielle Union is popularly known as an actress that really becomes her characters. Her role in "Bad Boys ll," however, probably hits a little too close to home for the 29-year old actress.
Union, who has previously discussed being raped, this time spoke candidly to Shaun Robinson of 'Access Hollywood' about a real-life incident in 1992, which the actress literally had to fight for her life.
"During a robbery at a store where I worked at my summer job, I was raped and beaten and actually had a real gunfight for my life. Fortunately, I survived and the man was convicted and is in prison now," confided Union.
Her attacker is now serving a 33-year sentence in a California prison.
Only 19 when the attack occurred, Union, now 29, declares herself a survivor instead of a victim.
"From that experience and therapy and a lot of family and friend support, I came out stronger and wiser," said the talented beauty.
When asked if the incident made her tougher in how she now handles people and situations, Union replies, "Oh yes, definitely how I handle people. I respect people's space and how I handle weapons. When one is pointed at you it's not entertainment."
During the filming of "Bad Boys II," Union had an unsettling scene. When her character, a DEA agent, had to shoot a gun, she couldn't stop shaking thinking back to that dreadful incident.
"It doesn't take a lot of, 'Oh let me recall this or that.' It just becomes very real," she recalled.
EURweb.com
I'm sooooo happy that she has turned a negative situation around into a good one. She is a gem!
