Amid all the rumors, accusations and drama following Gabrielle Union‘s firing from popular NBC variety talent show America’s Got Talent, the actress showed fans that she has much to be thankful for.
On her Instagram account, Union posted pictures of her and her family, which include husband of five years and retired NBA baller Dwyane Wade, 12-year-old stepson Zion Malachi Airamis and daughter Kaavia James, a.k.a “Shady Baby.”
READ MORE: Dwyane Wade backs Gabrielle Union after she exits ‘America’s Got Talent’ over reported racial issues
The Wade family was all smiles in their Thanksgiving photos that Union captioned, “Grateful ❤❤❤ Happy Thanksgiving good people. To all the friends and family that have my back and all the friends and family I’ve never met who show love and support when everyone is looking and when no one is looking…All praise, gratitude and thankfulness.”
Union’s post came in the midst of a firestorm following her firing from America’s Got Talent last week. Rumors began to surface that the popular judge was let go for wearing hairstyles that were deemed “too Black” by producers, according to People. There were also reports that her firing came after she spoke out about a racist joke made by guest judge Jay Leno, which was later edited out of the show.
On Thanksgiving Eve, Union took to Twitter to thank fans for their continued support amid all the drama.
“So many tears, so much gratitude,” she tweeted on Wednesday night. “THANK YOU! Just when you feel lost, adrift, alone… you got me up off the ground. Humbled and thankful, forever.”
So many tears, so much gratitude. THANK YOU! Just when you feel lost, adrift, alone… you got me up off the ground. Humbled and thankful, forever ❤
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) November 28, 2019
People also reported that she seemed to reference the America’s Got Talent fallout in an Instagram story video she posted of her and her husband working out.
Husband Dwyane Wade has also made his voice heard about his wife’s firing. He wrote a series of tweets coming to her defense.
“‘Men lie, Women lie, numbers don’t.’ Over this past year I’ve been approached by many people saying that my wife @itsgabrielleu is the main reason they’ve started watching #AGT or that they love her insight and sincerity on the show,” he tweeted. “So when i got the news that my wife was being fired—my first question was obviously why!? I am still waiting on a good answer to that question. But if anyone knows @itsgabrielleu or have heard of her you know she’s an advocate for our community and culture.”
“Men lie, Women lie, numbers don’t” Over this past year I’ve been approached by many people saying that my wife @itsgabrielleu is the main reason they’ve started watching #AGT or that they love her insight and sincerity on the show.
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) November 27, 2019
So when i got the news that my wife was being fired—my first question was obviously why!? Iam still waiting on a good answer to that question. But if anyone knows @itsgabrielleu or have heard of her you know she’s an advocate for our community and culture.
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) November 27, 2019
Wade also praised his wife for standing up for the Black community and being a great example for their daughter.
READ MORE: Gabrielle Union leaving her post as judge on ‘America’s Got Talent’
“As proud as i were of her being selected as a judge on #AGT— I am even more proud of her standing up for what she stands for and that’s US,” he wrote. “So [cheers] to you @itsgabrielleu on not losing sight of the lessons we’ve talked about teaching our daughter and for kicking ass while you were on that platform. Number 1 judge on one of the biggest shows in the world.”
As proud as i were of her being selected as a judge on #AGT— Iam even more proud of her standing up for what she stands for and that’s US.
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) November 27, 2019
So 🥂 to you @itsgabrielleu on not losing sight of the lessons we’ve talked about teaching our daughter and for kicking ass while you were on that platform. Number 1 judge on one of the biggest shows in the world‼️
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) November 27, 2019
In a statement to People, an NBC spokesperson wrote, “America’s Got Talent has a long history of inclusivity and diversity in both our talent and the acts championed by the show. The judging and host line-up has been regularly refreshed over the years and that is one of the reasons for AGT’s enduring popularity. NBC and the producers take any issues on set seriously.”