Gabrielle Union has spoken candidly about her first marriage to ex-NFL player Chris Howard.

During an episode of Dax Shepard’s podcast Armchair Expert, Union opened up about her “dysfunctional” relationship with Howard, whom she divorced in 2006 after five years of marriage.

Union revealed that she felt “entitled” to infidelity during their relationship, stating that “neither one of us felt like the marriage should get in the way of our dating.”

Union also accused Howard of infidelity during their marriage. “So, keeping up with his activities, like, ‘Oh, that’s what you’re doing? You’re going to feel this one.’ And I just felt entitled to it as well,” she said.

Union also wished she had “more guilt” about cheating on Howard and described their relationship as a “stupid relationship that should’ve never gotten out of the dating phase.”

Union also spoke about a couples therapy session with Howard.

The New York Times bestselling author claimed that the therapist told them, “You have not one thing in common. No morals, no values, no scruples.”

Union explained that during their relationship, she was “horny for validation and having certain kinds of guys like me and want me. That made me feel like I was worthy and good and valuable and deserving.”

Following her divorce from Howard, Union went on to marry former basketball star Dwyane Wade in 2014.

Union and Wade welcomed daughter Kaavia, now four years old, via surrogate in 2018.

Union is also a step-mother to Wade’s three children from his past relationships:

20-year-old son Zaire Wade, 15-year-old daughter Zaya Wade, and nine-year-old son Xavier Zechariah Wade.

During the podcast episode, Union also spoke about her growth and evolution as a person since her first marriage.

“Now, I’m my own motherf***ing validation. I’m my own prize,” she said. Union also joked that she was not “getting wife of the year awards” during her first marriage to Howard and that she had “focus issues” at the time.

Union also revealed that she was paying all the bills during her first marriage and felt entitled to certain things because of it.

“Like my dad before me, whoever has the most gets to do whatever the hell they want is what I thought. It was just dysfunctional from day one,” she said.

Union has been open about her struggles with infertility and her decision to use a surrogate to have her daughter.

In her 2017 memoir, We’re Going to Need More Wine, Union revealed that she had suffered multiple miscarriages and underwent several unsuccessful rounds of IVF.

She also spoke about the emotional toll that infertility took on her and her relationship with Wade.

Throughout the podcast episode, Union spoke about her journey to self-love and self-acceptance.

She also discussed her activism and advocacy work, including her support of the Black Lives Matter movement and her efforts to raise awareness about sexual assault and harassment.

Union’s honesty and vulnerability during the podcast episode have been praised by many fans and listeners.

Her willingness to speak openly about her past and present struggles has helped to break down stigmas and start important conversations about relationships, infidelity, and self-love.