For all the praise that Black women in TV have gotten over the past two years for their groundbreaking roles, there’s been more than a fair share of criticism over the pervasive theme of these women playing the “side piece” in romantic triangles. Now, “Being Mary Jane” star Gabrielle Union is speaking out and explaining why she doesn’t mind playing the other woman on her show.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Union discussed the criticism that both she and Kerry Washington, the star of “Scandal,” have received over playing mistresses on national TV and Union explained that she’s not ashamed of her role because it’s relatable and thrilling.
“It’s a whole thing about Kerry and I about shining a light on or glorifying being a ‘side piece’ it’s called make believe, it’s called storytelling. It was a part of a morality tale with Mary Jane, she didn’t win in the end it was just part of the storyline. She also froze her eggs and found out that her eggs were not valuable. People said why you would do that? Because it is a story and it’s a relevant story and it is a part of a way we can all learn more, be informed and educated whether that can be about dating married men or freezing your eggs as an older woman. Its infotainment, if you will. So I think if you only take safe roles you will have the most boring career ever and as an artist you would be uninspired,” Union explained.
We definitely can’t argue with her on that and we’d be lying if we said either role wasn’t entertaining.
