Jurnee Smollett, Gabrielle Union And The Short Side Of 50/50

March 8, 2025

One of the core motives behind celebrating Women’s History Month is to recognize the many ways in which women have been able to progress in a society that’s notoriously put men first. One particular battle of the sexes involves the conversation around going half in a relationship, mainly adapting to the concept of gender roles where men are sole financial providers and women do their part by cooking, cleaning and raising the offspring. In 2025 however, the peak period of fourth-wave feminism, that’s just not how it goes down on the regular. In short, “going half” on more than just a baby is proving to be the new norm.

Gabrielle Union and Jurnee Smollett, two career women at the forefront of Black Hollywood for decades now, are both currently dealing with the subject from two slightly different perspectives — one is pushing back on her own self-imposed 50/50 rule, while the other is being challenged to shell out 50% of her retirement to an ex-husband that’s already received $1 million in their divorce settlement.

Are the ladies beginning to rethink what it means to go 50/50?

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Actress Jurnee Smollett’s ex husband Josiah Bell was already paid $1M in accordance with their divorce settlement.

Now he is also seeking half of her retirement savings, including her 401(k) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) pension.

Since their separation in 2019 he has been… pic.twitter.com/68dhkwa5qp

— chris evans (@notcapnamerica) March 6, 2025

Read up more on Gabrielle’s situation below, via Rickey Smiley Morning Show:

“In a recent interview on the “Balanced Girl” podcast with Les Alfred, Union reflected on how her mindset regarding relationships and money has shifted over time. Two years ago, she made headlines when she shared that she and her husband, NBA legend Dwyane Wade, split their household expenses equally. At the time, she saw this as empowering, but now, she recognizes that it was a coping mechanism tied to past trauma.

‘I famously said 50/50 or bust, and I meant that in every way—financially, spiritually, emotionally,’ Union admitted. ‘But there are just a lot of days when I have 10%, and I need him to be 90. There are days I don’t have anything, and I need him to be 100.’

When Union first revealed her approach to finances, she was surprised by the strong reaction from social media. For her, it was about independence and ensuring she could always take care of herself, especially as she also financially supports family members outside of her home. But looking back, she now sees that her obsession with financial equality stemmed from her past trauma.”

As for Jurnee, ESSENCE reports that ex-husband Josiah Bell is citing California’s community property laws that state marital assets must typically be divided equally in a divorce. He wants 50% of her retirement funds from the time they were married between 2010 and 2019, which would be in addition to the combined $7,000 per month in child support he’s already been receiving since 2019 for their now-eight-year-old son and alimony payments. Much of the income he seeks would be derived from her roles as a series regular in projects like Friday Night Lights, The Defenders, True Blood and Underground.

As expected, the comment sections on many of Bell’s recent photos via Instagram have been swarmed with vitriol ranging from those simply asking “why take more??” to the more scathing shots like “get a job,” calling him “brokey” and cheap jabs at his career as a musician.

Overall, it really comes down to women having a choice rather than what path is chosen. Some women are the sole breadwinners in their relationship — shoutout to Rihanna and Oprah!— others may opt for a solid prenup that fairly splits things down the middle and a good amount are happily holding things down as stay-at-home wives dedicated to raising a family without the burden of financial stress. There’s no bad decision per se; it’s being able to choose that we feel matters the most.

Sound off with you own thoughts on the 50/50 rule, and see what others are saying on social media below about what Gabrielle Union and Jurnee Smollett are currently going through:

1. Unfortunately, Jurnee Smollett has joined Mary J Blige, Brittany Spears, Wendy Williams, to name a few women who had to come out of pocket to a GOLD DIGGING ex-husband! That’s a club no one wants to be a member of. Yes, men can be gold diggers. It’s not terminology used just for women. Nope! You’re not a real man! SMDH

Unfortunately, Jurnee Smollett has joined Mary J Blige, Brittany Spears, Wendy Williams, to name a few women who had to come out of pocket to a GOLD DIGGING ex-husband! That’s a club no one wants to be a member of. Yes, men can e gold diggers. It’s not terminology used just… pic.twitter.com/6pstoa6yZx

— It’s Me (@SisterMomGranny) March 6, 2025

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via @SisterMomGranny

2. The Jurnee Smollett situation is hilarious cuz they were married 9yrs. In the reverse situation women be so supportive of a woman taking half of all of their ex-spouses assets. Now it sounds unreasonable & he’s not even asking for half. Just half from the years they were married

The Jurnee Smollett situation is hilarious cuz they were married 9yrs. In the reverse situation women be so supportive of a woman taking half of all of their ex-spouses assets. Now it sounds unreasonable & he’s not even asking for half. Just half from the years they were married

— Nigerian Giant (@SheWantsTheVic) March 6, 2025

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via @SheWantsTheVic

3. Jurnee Smollett has 18 brothers, she knows what to do!

Jurnee Smollett has 18 brothers, she knows what to do!

— MAY18TH (@jiggyjayy2) March 8, 2025

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4. What Jurnee Smollett is going through is horrible. In a general sense, you need a prenup if you own any property, make a lot of money, or are on a trajectory to build overall. Listen, the same folks who are against prenups will flip the script on you in a divorce.

What Jurnee Smollett is going through is horrible. In a general sense, you need a prenup if you own any property, make a lot of money, or are on a trajectory to build overall. Listen, the same folks who are against prenups will flip the script on you in a divorce.

— Honest Brotha (@TheImperfectLeo) March 6, 2025

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via @TheImperfectLeo

5. All these men on here talking about “oh the tables have turned” cuz Jurnee Smollett husband asking for more money now that she’s working again are some BITXHES. They’re not together anymore she don’t owe him shit. He already gettin 7k a month now. Nigga go book some more dj jobs.

All these men on here talking about “oh the tables have turned” cuz Jurnee Smollett husband asking for more money now that she’s working again are some BITXHES. They’re not together anymore she don’t owe him shit. He already gettin 7k a month now. Nigga go book some more dj jobs.

— TMCMAMBAMENTALITY (@mrsz_diia) March 6, 2025

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via @mrsz_diia

6. Gabrielle Union coming out to say the only reason she went 50/50 with Dwayne was just a trauma response because the alternative meant being vulnerable enough to trust someone with a 100% of everything – is the realest thing I’ve heard in a while

Gabrielle Union coming out to say the only reason she went 50/50 with Dwayne was just a trauma response because the alternative meant being vulnerable enough to trust someone with a 100% of everything – is the realest thing I’ve heard in a while

— #EndFemicideInSA (@iamlindz_) March 7, 2025

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via @iamlindz_

7. Gabrielle union doing a 180 on the 50-50 talk is exactly why you should l live your life by standards that work for you. No two individuals are the same, so imagine 2 individuals in a marriage, do know the magnitude of statistical variance? You cannot afford to do “this” because that person did it, and it’s working. Study yourself and your partner, your peculiarities, be considerate and loving of each other, be open to change and teachable, and find what works for you

… because that person did it, and it’s working.
Study yourself and your partner, your peculiarities, be considerate and loving of each other, be open to change and teachable, and find what works for you

— Aduks (@profAduks) March 7, 2025

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via @profAduks

8. Love that Gabrielle Union has dropped the 50-50 stance. Her explanation makes so much sense cause it’s like if HE does the 100% then I begin to feel very vulnerable to that and the fear of chaos happening… Tbh, let’s not pretend that that isn’t weaponized to subdue women. Love that they’ve come to that place of trust. Cause man’s was ready to pay a 100% mortgage from the get go. Like Dwayne’s money? Looong

Love that Gabrielle Union has dropped the 50-50 stance. Her explanation makes so much sense cause it’s like if HE does the 100% then I begin to feel very vulnerable to that and the fear of chaos happening…

Tbh, let’s not pretend that that isn’t weaponized to subdue women. Love…

— shesthatsunchild (@theorebadmus_) March 7, 2025

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via @theorebadmus_

9. Gabrielle Union said she’s no longer doing 50/50 w Dwyane Wade and it was a trauma response. We cheered.

via @Chidaluuu_

10. I feel Gabrielle Union fr, cause when you have to carry the load yourself almost your whole life that’s always gone be your response. You literally can’t trust nobody to cover you until proven otherwise.

I feel Gabrielle Union fr, cause when you have to carry the load yourself almost your whole life that’s always gone be your response. You literally can’t trust nobody to cover you until proven otherwise.

— the Blueprint (@gorgshari) March 7, 2025

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via @gorgshari

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