Gabrielle Union gave fans a dose of early-2000s nostalgia when she reunited with some of her former co-stars.
Nearly two decades ago, Union starred as a tough, no-nonsense lawyer in Tyler Perry’s 2007 film “Daddy’s Little Girls.”
He recently linked up with sisters China Anne McClain and Sierra McClain in a video celebrating the reunion, but fans quickly realized another important actor was missing from the throwback moment.
“Where is Idris Elba?” one person asked. Another fan demanded, “Where is Monty?”
Elba played Monty James, the hardworking mechanic and single father at the center of Perry’s film.
Union portrayed Julia Rossmore, the attorney who helps Monty fight for custody of his three daughters before their professional relationship develops into a romance. The McClain sisters, Sierra, Lauryn and China Anne, played Monty’s daughters.
In the reunion clip, the camera moves between Union, China, and Sierra as they joke about seeing one another again.
“Look who it is,” China says before Sierra adds, “Missing one.”
“Who is it?” said Gabriel McClain — who has a small cameo in the film. He is the younger brother of the McClain siblings.
He then steps toward the camera and delivers one of the movie’s memorable lines: “Get away from my daddy, tramp.”
The group breaks into laughter before Union and China celebrate the moment as a “Daddy’s Little Girl reunion.”
“Minus Lauryn,” China says.
“We miss you, Lauryn,” they add before Union brings up another major member of the original cast.
“And Idris,” Union says. China agrees, adding, “And Idris, we love you too.”
The Instagram clip was recorded when cast members showed up for China, who is currently starring as Daisy Buchanan in the Broadway musical “The Great Gatsby” at the Broadway Theatre.
The role marks her official Broadway debut. She began her run on August 3, 2026. Other fans called for them to potentially come together on the big screen again.
“Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Big Girl’s otw,” one user wrote.
“Omggg they need to make another one! That will do numbers like crazy,” another added. A third person said, “Make it happen, Tyler!! I ain’t even playing.”
The reunion gives fans a reason to look back at what happened to the cast after “Daddy’s Little Girls.”
China Anne McClain went on to build a particularly strong relationship with Disney. She became widely known for playing Chyna Parks on Disney Channel’s “A.N.T. Farm,” a role that earned her a 2014 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children’s Program.
She also starred in the Disney Channel original movie “How to Build a Better Boy” and played Uma, the daughter of Ursula, in “Descendants 2” and “Descendants 3.”
McClain also continued working with Perry after “Daddy’s Little Girls.” She played Jazmine Payne on “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne,” appearing in the original run and returning for the show’s revival.
Her sisters continued acting as well. Sierra McClain later appeared in “Empire,” “Mindhunter” and “9-1-1: Lone Star.”
Lauryn McClain went on to appear in projects including “Haunt” and “Step Up: High Water,” alongside Ne-Yo. The sisters also continued performing music together, eventually joining the group Thriii with China.
Union’s career also expanded considerably after she played Julia. She became known for roles in films including “Think Like a Man,” “Think Like a Man Too,” “Top Five,” “The Birth of a Nation,” “Almost Christmas” and “The Perfect Find.”
She was well established before the 2007 film as well, with credits such as “Bring it On” and “Bad Boys II.” On television, she starred as Mary Jane Paul in BET’s “Being Mary Jane” and later led the crime drama “L.A.’s Finest.”
Her work has earned multiple nominations and several wins, including an NAACP Image Award for “Being Mary Jane” and the NAACP President’s Award, which she shared with husband, Dwyane Wade in 2023. She also received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for “The Inspection.”
As for Elba, the actor’s career took him far beyond Monty James. Before working with Perry, he became internationally recognized as Stringer Bell on HBO’s “The Wire.”
Years after “Daddy’s Little Girls,” he starred as detective John Luther in the BBC series “Luther.”
The role won him a Golden Globe for “Luther” and received multiple Emmy nominations, including for “Luther” and Apple TV+’s “Hijack.” His performance in “Beasts of No Nation” earned a Screen Actors Guild Award and nominations for both a BAFTA and Golden Globe.
Elba has also portrayed Nelson Mandela in “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” took roles in Marvel’s “Thor” films and in “The Suicide Squad.”
Nearly 20 years after “Daddy’s Little Girls,” the cast has taken very different paths through Hollywood.
But Union’s reunion video proved that fans still remember the original family, including the one person they immediately wanted to see standing beside them.
A little piece of Daddy’s Little Girls nostalgia came back 🥹❤️#GabrielleUnion #ChinaAnneMcClain #DaddysLittleGirls pic.twitter.com/hZipbB1NC1
— soseriuzradio (@soseriuzradio) September 15, 2026
