Gabrielle Union and Kirsten Dunst continue to develop their friendship more than 25 years after starring together in the film Bring It On, as parenthood and shared experiences have drawn them closer. The actresses discussed their evolving connection and how being mothers has brought a new dimension to their relationship during a recent interview in Los Angeles.
Long-Lasting Friendship Beyond the Screen
Gabrielle Union, 53, revealed in an exclusive interview that she and Kirsten Dunst, 43, remain close, maintaining contact well after working together on the 2000 cheerleading comedy. Their bond has deepened over time, particularly because their children are around the same age and have overlapping social circles.
Luckily, our kids are around the same age and they have friends in common, so motherhood has sort of brought us together in a different way,
Union explained.
Union is mother to her daughter Kaavia Union Wade, aged 7, and stepmother to her husband Dwyane Wade’s three children: Zaire Wade (23), Zaya Wade (18), and Xavier Wade (12). Kirsten Dunst shares two sons with her husband, actor Jesse Plemons: Ennis Howard Plemons, 7, and James Robert Plemons, 4.
Reflecting on Growth and Shared Experiences
Union reminisced about watching Dunst develop not only as an actress but also as a person over the decades. She emphasized how their conversations about parenting and family dynamics underscore their ongoing personal growth together.
When we shot Bring It On, [Kirsten] was an actual child, and now she’s a mom. And it’s funny because we were talking about some of her mom’s decisions and how she was raised, and what you took and what you left behind,
Union said.
It’s like we’re growing up together,
she added, highlighting the evolving nature of their friendship.
The Legacy of Bring It On and Shared History
The film, directed by Peyton Reed and written by Jessica Bendinger, centers on Torrance Shipman (played by Dunst), a high school cheer captain who discovers that her team’s championship routines were stolen from a rival squad known as the Clovers, led by Union’s character, Isis. The movie’s cultural impact has lasted decades, and the actresses recently reunited for a 25th anniversary screening held in Los Angeles in September 2025. Alongside Union and Dunst, former castmates Jesse Bradford and Lindsay Sloane also appeared at the event.
Gabrielle Union’s Current Endeavors and Advocacy
Beyond her ongoing acting projects, Gabrielle Union is intellectually and financially invested in LynkUET, a treatment aimed at alleviating symptoms related to menopause. She discussed the personal significance of this work and its broader importance during her interview.
[Menopause] challenges you to look at life differently and not as an ending, but as a beginning,
Union remarked, reflecting an empowering shift in perspective.
Initially, I felt shame. I felt my value as a woman was diminishing. I felt isolated. And over time, now, I feel empowered, and I’m gonna talk about it, and I’m not gonna lose a thing,
she added, underscoring her commitment to promoting openness and understanding around menopause.
The Significance of Their Enduring Connection
The ongoing friendship between Gabrielle Union and Kirsten Dunst, sustained over more than two decades, illustrates how personal growth and shared life experiences can enrich long-term relationships. Their connection transcends their early careers, blending memories from their iconic film with the realities of motherhood and adulthood. As both actresses continue to navigate their roles as parents and professionals, their relationship remains a testament to growing alongside one another through various life stages.
