Saweetie Used to Get Starstruck by Cousin Gabrielle Union

Saweetie, Gabrielle Union Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Femme It Forward;Arturo Holmes/WireImage/Getty Images

’s dad may be ’s first cousin, but she still gets stunned around the actress.

“Honestly, I didn’t really connect with her until I was older, but I have to say, when I was a young girl, I would be so shy around her,” Saweetie, 31, exclusively told Us Weekly at the recent Smirnoff Lemonade’s Paint & Sip with Saweetie event. “Because she’s always been so beautiful. So bright.”

Saweetie recalled admiring Union, 52, “from a distance” at family gatherings, gushing that she had a “big crush” on the 10 Things I Hate About You actress. “She’s always just had this really bright light about herself, so I’m happy to call her my cousin,” the “Best Friend” singer told Us.

Saweetie previously opened up about her bond with Union, gushing that the actress “drops as many gems as she can” whenever they see each other.

Related: How Saweetie Learned to Love Herself With or Without MakeupGareth Cattermole – MTV/Getty Images Saweetie is a Grammy-nominated rapper who’s had platinum-selling, chart-toppping hits, but her signature look — three-inch acrylic nails, artistically crafted baby hairs and over-the-top lashes — inspires nearly as much online chatter as her music. The comments don’t rule her. “I see people on [social media] not liking my lashes. […]

“I love when she compares this industry I’m currently in to when she broke in,” Saweetie told Access Hollywood in 2021. “And this difference is just … for one, they had more privacy. Sometimes I feel like I was born in a different time period because I love my privacy and I wish I could’ve lived back then when people actually respected people’s space.”

The pair have also shown their support for each other on social media, with Union uploading an Instagram video in 2023 her take on a meal inspired by Saweetie. After preparing the dish, Union FaceTimed Saweetie to show off her creation — and the singer gave her stamp of approval.

When she’s not bonding with Union, Sweetie is partnering with Smirnoff Lemonade — most recently in Los Angeles for the event held at the Honeypot. Her next pop-up event, in New York City on Saturday, December 7, will feature Smirnoff Red, White & Merry and Smirnoff Peppermint Twist.

Related: A Great Team! Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union’s Relationship TimelineTake a look back at the romance between actress Gabrielle Union and Miami Heat basketball star Dwyane Wade

“Smirnoff just reminds me of the highlight years in college, so it’s nice to have a full circle moment with a brand that I genuinely connect with,” Saweetie told Us. “We’re here at a paint & sip and I’m a California girl. I love my lemonade. Smirnoff, lemonade, it can’t get no better than that?”

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While recalling her college days, Sweetie joked that she was “drinking responsibly.”

EJ Delfin for Smirnoff

“Honestly, the sisterhood that I created with a lot of the women that I met. Recently, I went back to my — So I went to two colleges. I went to San Diego State and I went to USC. I recently just went back to SDSU’s homecoming and danced with my old dance team and in that moment, it was so priceless,” she said. “I was like, I love these women around me and I’m so thankful for our relationship.”

With reporting by Lanae Brody

In this articleGabrielle UnionSaweetie

Saweetie Used to Get Starstruck by Cousin Gabrielle Union

Saweetie Used to Get Starstruck by Cousin Gabrielle Union

Saweetie Used to Get Starstruck by Cousin Gabrielle Union

Saweetie Used to Get Starstruck by Cousin Gabrielle Union

Saweetie Used to Get Starstruck by Cousin Gabrielle Union