Actress, Gabrielle Union, Reflects on Hollywood’s Beauty Standards and Typecasting in New Documentary

In the Apple TV+ documentary Number One on the Call Sheet, actress Gabrielle Union candidly discusses the challenges she faced in Hollywood due to prevailing beauty standards. She reveals that her natural features, including coarse hair, darker skin, and fuller facial features, often led to her being overlooked for leading roles. Union explains, “When you have a more coarse grade of hair, when you have melanin, thicker nose, wider nose, wider lips, you’re not considered, you know, a classic beauty.” ​

This perception resulted in Union frequently being cast as the “bitchy, sassy friend” in films like 10 Things I Hate About You, She’s All That, and Bring It On. She reflects, “I started feeling invisible, like my beauty wasn’t wanted. As a romantic lead? ” ​

Union’s experiences highlight the systemic barriers Black actresses face in the industry. The documentary also features insights from other prominent Black actresses, including Angela Bassett and Viola Davis, who discuss their own journeys and the broader challenges within Hollywood.

Number One on the Call Sheet is now streaming on Apple TV+.