Gabrielle Union: From Teen Rom-Com Star to Fashion Icon – A Look Back at Her Role in 10 Things I Hate About You and Her Stunning 2016 Style

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In 1999, Gabrielle Union played the role of Chastity Church, a cheerleader, in the 1999 American teen romantic comedy 10 Things I Hate About You.

Although Gabrielle Union portrayed a high school student and the friend of Larisa Oleynik’s character Bianca Stratford, she was 25 years old when the film was shot in the summer of 1998. By the time the movie was released on March 31, 1999, she was 26—much older than a typical high school student.

“We spent all of our downtime together and loved it, [and] perhaps I got some fake IDs,” Union said about filming the movie in an interview with ET in 2019. “It was just such a special, special time, and I could never recreate that.”

Larisa Oleynik as Bianca Stratford, Gabrielle Union as Chastity Church, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cameron James in the 1999 American teen romantic comedy film 10 Things I Hate About YouLarisa Oleynik as Bianca Stratford, Gabrielle Union as Chastity Church, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cameron James in the 1999 American teen romantic comedy film 10 Things I Hate About You (Credit: Buena Vista Pictures)

The film also starred Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Larisa Oleynik. David Krumholtz, who played geek Michael Eckman in the movie, later reflected on how much fun they had filming Heath Ledger’s first American movie.

“Work was fun, and after work we were inseparable. We laughed, we partied, we rapped. Joseph Gordon-Levitt turned me on to Phish, and I turned him on to Wu-Tang. Gabrielle Union had us in stitches, Julia Stiles brought her own brand of Soho-bred artistic intellectualism (at only 17, mind you), Larisa Oleynik’s laughter filled the room, and we marveled at the tonedness of Andrew Keegan’s muscles (a great sport!),” David Krumholtz wrote in Vulture in 2015.

The same year, Gabrielle starred in the 1999 American teen romantic comedy film She’s All That. Following her success in 10 Things I Hate About You and She’s All That, Gabrielle Union continued to captivate audiences with her charm and talent.

While she has built an impressive career on-screen, Union has become a style icon, consistently turning heads with her fashion choices. One such occasion was in June 2016, when she stepped out in a stunning ensemble that perfectly showcased her sophisticated style.

A Night of Style: Gabrielle Union’s ASOS Jumpsuit and Prada Wedges

Gabrielle Union stuns in a chic navy blue jumpsuit adorned with gold grommetsGabrielle Union stuns in a chic navy blue jumpsuit adorned with gold grommets at the launch of the new Jaguar XE on June 16, 2016, at The Collection in Coral Gables in Miami, Florida (Credit: Johnny Louis / WENN)

Gabrielle Union supported her husband as he launched two new Jaguar models in Miami, Florida. She married NBA star Dwyane Wade in 2014. They met in 2007 while cohosting a sponsored Super Bowl party.

Gabrielle Union stuns in a plunging navy ASOS jumpsuit paired with metallic gold Prada wedges at the Jaguar XE launch eventGabrielle Union stuns in a plunging navy ASOS jumpsuit paired with metallic gold Prada wedges at the Jaguar XE launch event (Credit: Johnny Louis / WENN)

Gabrielle promoted cars in a sexy $55 navy blue jumpsuit from ASOS. The trendy (and affordable!) piece featured a plunging, grommet-adorned neck, waistline, and subtle cutouts at the arms.

Gabrielle accessorized her look with an embroidered yellow clutch and a pair of metallic perforated wedges from Prada.

Gabrielle Union supports husband Dwyane Wade as he launches the new Jaguar XE at The Collection in Coral GablesGabrielle Union supports her husband, Dwyane Wade, as he launches the new Jaguar XE at The Collection in Coral Gables (Credit: Johnny Louis / WENN)

The Bring It On actress spent the entire evening by her husband’s side, sporting a giant smile as she supported him in his business endeavors.

Gabrielle Union's feet shine in metallic gold Prada wedges, featuring a bold perforated design, at the Jaguar XE launch eventGabrielle Union’s feet shine in metallic gold Prada wedges, featuring a bold perforated design, at the Jaguar XE launch event (Credit: Johnny Louis / WENN)

Prada’s Perforated Wedges: A Fashion Must-Have

Prada always creates the most exciting wedge styles, even though we have to pay homage to Chanel for first creating the gun-themed heels. You can check out this perforated metallic pair at Nordstrom and Farfetch.

Prada Black Leather Perforated Wedge Sandals
Prada Perforated Sandals Gold Sandals

Prada Perforated Sandals Gold Sandals
Prada Silver Leather Perforatedwedge Sandals
Prada Perforated Sandals Silver Sandals

Prada Perforated Sandals Silver SandalsPrada Perforated Metallic Wedge Sandals, $447