Dwyane Wade may have three championship rings, but he recently admitted that his wife, actress Gabrielle Union, holds the ultimate playbook when it comes to capturing his attention.
Speaking at the 2026 Fragrance Foundation Awards, Wade revealed that scent plays a pivotal role in the couple’s long-standing romance. Wade, who was attending the gala as the face of Intuition by Aramis, described how Union uses a custom blend of perfumes and lotions to signal when a special evening is ahead. The former Miami Heat star noted that his wife has mastered the art of “layering” different products to create a unique aroma designed specifically to please him.
“She knows what I like to smell,” Wade said in an interview with People. “She knows the scents that kind of arouse me a little bit. When I smell it, I know that it’s going to be a good night for us. I can’t keep my hands off of her.” The couple, who married in 2014, have often been transparent about the maintenance required for a successful celebrity marriage.
While Wade focused on the sensory attraction at the New York City event, Union recently shared that their bond is also built on a foundation of humor and community support. She said the pair prioritizes laughter and surrounds themselves with friends who “believe in our marriage.” The lighthearted comments from Wade follow a period of deeper personal reflection for the family. In June, Union revealed she had completed intensive treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
The actress had lived with the condition for more than three decades following a violent assault she survived as a teenager. Union said the therapy has helped her move past a state of constant “hypervigilance,” allowing her to be more present with Wade and their daughter, Kaavia.
Wade used his platform at the awards ceremony to encourage other men to take their personal grooming and fragrance choices more seriously. He suggested that a signature scent is an essential component of confidence and style. “You want that person to be stylish, you want that person to be confident,” Wade said. He jokingly added that he hopes more men embrace the world of cologne instead of “being musty,” emphasizing that a good fragrance leaves a lasting impression on those around them.