Gabrielle Union Blew Her First Big Bag on a Mazda and Got Burned—Literally

Gabrielle Union kept it all the way real during her appearance at the 2025 American Black Film Festival in Miami. Sitting down for a conversation titled “Sisterhood & Savings” with journalist Kelley L. Carter, the 52-year-old actress took a trip down memory lane and revealed the very first thing she splurged on after breaking into Hollywood, and it wasn’t exactly red carpet-worthy.

“So stupid. I went on the Mazda lot. I’m like, ‘Oh, I’ve made it when I have a Mazda,’” Union told the audience, recalling her excitement after landing roles in late-90s hits like 10 Things I Hate About You and Bring It On. But her father had warned her: “Don’t buy a brand new car. It depreciates the second you drive it off the lot.”

Ignoring that advice, Union proudly bought a black-on-black Mazda Miata with leather seats. But it didn’t take long before regret kicked in, literally. “Lemme tell you about leather seats in Los Angeles. Do you know I scorched myself every time I got out?” she said with a laugh. “Yeah, that was my first purchase. And it depreciated the second I drove it off the lot!”

Union’s candid story was part of a broader conversation about financial lessons, career wins, and learning from money missteps, a topic she and husband Dwyane Wade have openly discussed, including their decision to split bills 50/50 and sign a prenup.