News | Entertainment
16 Jul 2025 13:48
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Gabrielle Union has blasted the creators of 'Bring It On' for the way they wrote black characters

    The 48-year-old actress enjoyed a breakthrough with her role as antagonistic head cheerleader Isis in the cult film, but now upon reflection has been left feeling "hopeless" by the way the black characters were written in comparison to white characters


    She said: "All of the white characters had last names, no matter if they just had one line. And I had never considered it. I always looked at Isis like Cher or Madonna. And now you look at who wrote it and you start to think a little differently.

    Gabrielle went on to explain that she was determined to perform the role of Isis in a way that she felt was true to herself and her race to avoid stereotyping.

    She added: "Even though they gave me free reign, and I could do whatever I wanted with her, I was so committed to being the ' right kind of black girl cheerleader. She can be annoyed but not too angry; she can be a leader, but she better be classy."

    However, Gabrielle also spoke out about how her character is seemingly viewed by fans of the movie and how when a meme involving her character went viral, she was at a loss.

    Speaking to Stylist Magazine, she said: "When you watch people do their impressions of Isis, she is [aggressive and confrontational] . It says everything about what you heard, not what was actually being said. No matter how a black woman speaks, what some people hear is violence , threats. It's the demonisation of black girls and women.

    "Cut to last summer, and this meme comes out about movie villains, and there's Isis. I made her the most kind and gracious leader, and she was a villain because she wanted the theft [of her cheerleading routines] to be acknowledged and for there to be consequences. And for that, she's the villain. That's dark. It takes you to such a hopeless place."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     16 Jul: King Charles will host Donald Trump at Windsor Castle in September
     16 Jul: Gina Rodriguez is pregnant
     16 Jul: Robbie Williams has revealed that his mother no longer knows who he is due to her dementia
     16 Jul: Ellen DeGeneres has thrown her support behind Rosie O'Donnell amid her latest row with Donald Trump
     16 Jul: Armie Hammer's ex-girlfriend, Paige Lorenze, is engaged to tennis star Tommy Paul
     16 Jul: Sarah Jessica Parker has confirmed she dated Nicolas Cage
     16 Jul: AJ McLean reunited with his estranged wife Rochelle DeAnna McLean at the opening night of the Backstreet Boys' residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    All Black Sevu Reece has declared himself ready to return to the test arena More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Architect and design-work is drying up across the country More...



     Today's News

    Business:
    Architect and design-work is drying up across the country 13:47

    Entertainment:
    King Charles will host Donald Trump at Windsor Castle in September 13:40

    Law and Order:
    Almost four years after a baby's body was found in an Auckland recycling plant, Police are still begging the family to come forward 13:27

    Education:
    The country's eighth new charter school has opened in Auckland's Greenlane this week 13:27

    Entertainment:
    Gina Rodriguez is pregnant 13:10

    Rugby League:
    Former Kiwis fullback Richie Barnett is understanding of the Warriors potentially choosing not to re-sign Te Maire Martin 13:07

    National:
    How AI can help protect bees from dangerous parasites 13:07

    Law and Order:
    The family of victims of a triple fatal crash in Waiuku, in Auckland's south are asking for privacy 13:07

    Entertainment:
    Robbie Williams has revealed that his mother no longer knows who he is due to her dementia 12:40

    Health & Safety:
    Fears Kiwis are ignorant of the signs of bowel cancer 12:17


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd