Beautiful actress Gabrielle Union is all smiles as she graces the cover of Vegas magazine. The Being Mary Jane star looks radiant as she opens up to the magazine about carving out a respectable place for herself in Hollywood after years of fighting for big roles. She also gets candid about her groom-to-be Dwayne Wade’s “groomzilla” ways and much more. Check out the excerpts below.

On her instant family:

“We were at the construction site in Miami where we’re building our dream home—aka the money pit. I was wearing my Prada combat boots, no makeup, and D had a videographer recording the whole thing. I went from no kids to D getting full custody, and the next day we had a full house. So it was instant. Our lives never skipped a beat. When you’re someone who goes from never having thought about birthing her own babies to a ready-made family that has immediate needs and wants and desires, your life takes a back burner. If I were lucky enough to have one come out of my body, then great, I’d be totally open to that. But D’s kids are more than just part of the wedding. They are part of my life. They’re a package deal.”

On understanding her mom after her parent’s divorce:

“For years I didn’t get her, but it was my mom who got up the courage to walk away after 30 years of an unhappy marriage. She handled her divorce with dignity, and she never asked my father for a dime. As her daughter, I asked, ‘Why? You’re gonna start over?’ And she said, ‘I went from my father’s house to your father’s house. I want to get my own house.’ I learned a valuable lesson: Take the high road and move on.”

On feeling like an outsider growing up:

“My dad told me, ‘You gotta be bigger and badder and better than that the next woman, just to be considered even.’ I felt like I had to become a chameleon in high school. Even as a popular girl, I was looking through the window and very afraid of being exposed. I just wanted to assimilate and fit in.”

On being a “mean girl”:

“We live in a town that rewards pretending. I used to revel in gossip and rumors.  I lived for the negativity inflicted upon my sister actresses, or anyone who shine I felt diminished my own. I took joy in people’s pain and I tap-danced on their misery.”

On Dwayne’s “groomzilla” antics:

“D’s involved in every detail. My dude is having a princess moment. Me? I did the wine tasting, and I said yes to the dress. In fact, I’ve said yes to a few of them. That’s the joy of getting married to a man who loves clothes and wardrobe changes. You can have more than one dress.”