- - Gabrielle Union Recalls Barack Obama Trying Her Tuna Casserole at a Friend’s Potluck: ‘I Was on a Budget’ (Exclusive)

Moná Thomas, Brianne TracyJanuary 30, 2026 at 5:00 AM

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Gabrielle Union, Barack Obama

Gary Gershoff/Getty;Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Gabrielle Union recalls meeting former president Barack Obama at a casual potluck

She says he tried her tuna casserole while she was “on a budget”

The star reflects on how fame looks different in hindsight

Gabrielle Union has shared space with some very famous counterparts — but one of her most memorable celebrity encounters happened long before the spotlight followed them.

While attending Sailgate with Dos Equis in Miami on Monday, Jan. 19, the Deliver Us From Eva star reflected on how her social circle has evolved over the years, revealing that the first time she met former President Barack Obama, it was at a casual potluck where she made a tuna casserole for the occasion.

Gabrielle Union attends the Variety Entertainment & Technology Summit.

Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty

“I think because all of them, we’ve met them at different points in their lives when they weren’t world famous,” Union told PEOPLE about the Obama family, including Barack, 64, his wife and former First Lady Michelle, 62, and their adult daughters Malia, 27, and Sasha, 24. “The first time I met [former] President Obama, he was a junior senator in Chicago and it was a potluck at a friend’s house in L.A. and he happened to be invited.”

The star spoke happily about the evening, calling her contribution to the meal a humble, budget-friendly classic. “I think I made tuna casserole,” she recalls. “He definitely ate my tuna casserole. I could have put a little extra time into this, but I was also on a budget.”

Union adds that moments like that help keep fame in perspective. “We met on very different terms,” she says, laughing. “It looks more impressive now than I think it probably is.”

Kaavia James Union Wade and Gabrielle Union.

Kaavia James/Instagram

The actress, who was in Miami celebrating husband Dwyane Wade’s 44th birthday, says that same grounded energy still defines how her family approaches life. Wade’s birthday festivities stretched across the week, with stops at Yamashiro, Dante’s HiFi and dinners with family and close friends.

“He really goes big on birthdays,” Union says, noting that experiences often matter more than extravagant gifts. “Sometimes it’s a high five because that’s all we had time for. But the love is there.”

Union also opened up about how she and Wade approach gift-giving after 11 years together. “Sometimes it’s feeding the passion,” she says, referencing Wade’s recent interest in photography. Other times, surprises come unexpectedly — like the Range Rover Wade once gifted her with a bow on top.

As for their daughter Kaavia, 7, Union says she’s thriving, juggling dance, gymnastics, horseback riding and a deep admiration for Angel Reese. “She’s very active,” Union says. “I think the thing she’s most passionate about is probably gymnastics.”

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”