While we love the idea of a surprise Beyoncé performance, we’re smart enough to know it’s just not going to happen. Queen Bey has so many relentless fans who can stalk her every move—including some in the industry!
When Beyoncé tried to pull off her surprise performance at the 2016 BET Awards, Bring It On actress Gabrielle Union ruined the secret by pointing out Beyoncé’s backup dancers on the red carpet.
Gabrielle Union attends the BET Awards with her hair styled in long, elegant braids and accessorized with statement pink earrings (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)
Gabrielle Union wowed the crowd at the 2016 BET Awards with stunning fashion choices, including a one-shoulder Marc Jacobs dress and statement pink earrings. However, her remarkable sense of style is just one aspect of her impressive career. Long before becoming a red carpet regular, Gabrielle made waves in Hollywood with her breakout role in the iconic teen comedy Bring It On.
Gabrielle Union’s Early Career and Her Iconic Role in “Bring It On”
Sixteen years earlier, she starred as Isis in the American teen cheerleading comedy film Bring It On. Following the movie’s success, she was cast as Dr. Courtney Ellis in the CBS television drama City of Angels.
Gabrielle Union as Isis, the determined captain of the East Compton Clovers, in the iconic cheerleading film Bring It On (Credit: Universal Pictures)
Behind the Scenes of “Bring It On”
Gabrielle Union shared that she originally wanted to be in a different cheerleading movie called Sugar & Spice but was not cast because they didn’t want a black lead.
“I really wanted to be in this other cheerleading movie called Sugar & Spice about bank-robbing cheerleaders, but they didn’t wanna go Black on any of the lead roles. I was coming off of 10 Things I Hate About You, She’s All That, and Love & Basketball back-to-back, so I was looking for my next gig when this came up,” she told Vogue in August 2020 about her early acting career.
“It was called Cheer Fever, and they wanted me for the table read. The script was a little cringe-y, so when they offered me the job, I said, “Can we make some changes?” And they were open,” Union added about her role as Isis.
A Timeless Classic: The Release of “Bring It On”
Filmed in different locations and high schools in San Diego County and San Diego State University in California, the movie was released in theaters in North America on August 25, 2000, when Gabrielle Union was 27 years old.
Gabrielle Union, as Isis, leads the East Compton Clovers with energy and confidence during a cheer routine in Bring It On (Credit: Universal Pictures)
“Gabrielle’s character, Isis, is a determined leader who is going to get to nationals and prove to everybody that they’re the rightful ones. They have been fighting in obscurity to be the best, and they are the best, and now they’re going to prove it to the world. In no way is she a villain or even an antagonist. That’s a very weird read on the movie,” director Peyton Reed said in an interview with Variety in August 2020.
Gabrielle Union’s Fashion at the 2016 BET Awards
Gabrielle Union stuns in a one-shoulder, high-slit Marc Jacobs dress paired with gold heels at the 2016 BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 27, 2016 (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)
Sixteen years after the release of her high school cheerleading movie, Gabrielle wore an asymmetrical shoulder dress by Marc Jacobs adorned with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. The actress finished her ensemble with a pair of silver Jimmy Choo sandals.
Gabrielle Union shows off her polished pedicure in silver ankle-strap sandals at the 2016 BET Awards (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)
The then 43-year-old wore her hair in braids, noting that her chosen hairstyle was practically maintenance-free, making it perfect for summer.
Gabrielle Union flaunts her braided hairstyle and the intricate detailing of her Marc Jacobs dress from the back at the 2016 BET Awards (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)
After spotting the dancers on the red carpet, the actress said she was excited to see Beyoncé. Although she said she wasn’t 100 percent sure Queen Bey was putting on a show tonight, she said she was hopeful.
Luckily for her, the night would be one of Beyoncé’s most epic performances since releasing her controversial album.
Gabrielle’s sandals are no longer available online, but you can check out the similar Jimmy Choo “Minny” sandals in different colors at Net-A-Porter, Farfetch, and Mytheresa.
Jimmy Choo Minny Ankle Strap Sandals, $559 – $864