GloRilla channels Gabrielle Union’s “Two Can Play That Game” character in red-hot Halloween tribute [VIDEO]

GloRilla turns heads as Gabrielle Union’s Connie Spalding, earning approval from Union herself amid mixed fan reactions

For Halloween, GloRilla ditched spooky for sultry — reimagining Gabrielle Union’s unforgettable Two Can Play That Game character, Connie Spalding. The Memphis rapper dropped a 40-second cinematic reel that captured the same commanding, flirty energy Union brought to the 2001 romantic comedy, swapping stage lights for golden-hour glow and adding her own hip-hop flair to the Y2K classic.

Dressed in a tailored red blazer, mini skirt, sheer stockings, and black heels, GloRilla walked through an outdoor set styled to evoke the film’s high-powered corporate atmosphere. Her accessories — gold hoops, layered chain necklaces, and a sleek ponytail — finished the look. The reel, set to an upbeat remix incorporating her own ad-libs from “Yeah Glo!”, showcased her signature Memphis swagger while paying faithful tribute to Union’s confident strut.

Recreating a Defining Moment of Black Rom-Com Cinema

In the original 2001 film, Union’s Connie Spalding made her mark as the sly, self-assured VP of marketing and romantic rival to Vivica A. Fox’s character, Shanté Smith. Her entrance — a slow-motion walk in a red power suit — became one of early-2000s cinema’s most recognizable displays of feminine power and poise.

Two Can Play That Game grossed $22 million against a $4.6 million budget, cementing itself as both a commercial success and a cultural staple. It was one of the first major studio rom-coms to center Black professionals navigating love, ego, and manipulation with wit and style — and Gabrielle Union’s performance helped shape the archetype of the confident, ambitious “other woman.”

By recreating that exact moment, GloRilla tapped into a deep well of nostalgia that resonated with fans who grew up watching early BET marathons of the film. The visuals — complete with Union’s walk, camera angles, and attitude — positioned GloRilla’s take as both tribute and transformation.

The Look: Modernized Y2K Glam with Memphis Attitude

GloRilla’s video opens with a slow camera pan up her legs, echoing Union’s scene shot-for-shot. The golden-hour lighting replaces the movie’s boardroom gloss with a street-style glow. Therefore, grounding the homage in her Southern roots.

She adds subtle modern twists — her visible tattoos, including the red gorilla on her chest, become part of her self-branding. Her ponytail flips, gold hoops, and defiant smirk carry the same boldness that made Union’s Connie both rival and role model. Every step syncs to the beat of her remix soundtrack, giving the sequence a rhythmic edge that turns a film reference into something unmistakably GloRilla.

When the video ends with her slipping into a car, grinning and pointing at the camera before driving off, it’s pure empowerment energy. Thus, a mic drop moment in motion.

Gabrielle Union Co-Signs The Moment

Shortly after @rapalert6 reposted the clip to X (formerly Twitter), where it gained over 600,000 views in a few hours, Gabrielle Union herself stepped in with the ultimate seal of approval. Sharing the video to her Instagram Story, Union wrote, “I approve this message.”

That repost instantly shifted public sentiment. What had begun as playful debate about GloRilla’s wig and wardrobe turned into applause for her creativity. Fans praised the rapper for honoring a “Black movie classic” while introducing it to younger audiences who might not have seen it before.

“GloRilla just made Gabrielle Union’s character go viral all over again,” one user wrote. “She understood the assignment.”

Social Media Reacts: Praise, Nitpicks, and Nostalgia

As with any celebrity costume, the reactions split across social media — equal parts admiration, humor, and critique. The @rapalert6 post collected over 10,000 likes and 1,100 reposts, with fans calling it “the best Halloween fit this year” and “a power move for the culture.”

But even with Union’s blessing, some viewers couldn’t resist zeroing in on the details. A few users joked about the hair: “That ponytail need a comb through,” one commenter wrote, while another quipped, “Connie Spalding never had frizz like that, Glo!” Others nitpicked visible tattoos and fit choices, comparing her to the original’s polished aesthetic.

Still, positive sentiment outweighed criticism. “She ate this — stop acting like y’all could pull off Gabrielle Union energy,” another fan shot back. The clip also inspired memes, with users overlaying “Yeah Glo!” ad-libs onto Union’s original footage, merging eras in the process.

Why The Homage Hit a Cultural Nerve

In the current era, nostalgia continues to dominate social media — especially among artists who grew up in the 2000s and now lead the industry. GloRilla’s homage fits into a broader wave of rappers reinterpreting Y2K pop culture moments for Halloween, from Doja Cat’s 2024 Kill Bill tribute to Saweetie’s string of 2000s video recreations.

But unlike simple costuming, GloRilla’s version pays homage to one of the few Black female characters in mainstream romantic comedies who blended femininity and power without apology. Connie Spalding represented a type of woman rarely celebrated in early-2000s media — smart, ambitious, confident, and unwilling to play small.

By stepping into that role, GloRilla reminded audiences of how these characters helped shape modern pop confidence, linking her own persona as a bold, unapologetic artist to Union’s legacy on screen.

Mixed Reviews Highlight How Deeply Fans Care About Authenticity

Some viewers treated the clip like a pop culture exam, analyzing every detail to see how closely it mirrored the film. “If you’re going to do Gabrielle Union, do her right,” one post read, while another countered, “Y’all forget GloRilla isn’t an actress — she’s having fun. That’s the point.”

The debate underscored how protective fans are over Black classics like Two Can Play That Game. The movie’s sharp dialogue, confident tone, and representation of successful Black professionals still resonate today, and any modern reference carries both nostalgia and expectation.

Yet, even critics admitted GloRilla’s confidence was unmatched. “She didn’t just copy the character,” one user wrote. “She made Connie Spalding a Memphis auntie — and that’s genius.”

GloRilla’s Evolution: From Viral Rapper to Cultural Participant

What’s striking about this moment isn’t just the costume — it’s how GloRilla used a 40-second reel to blend music, nostalgia, and social commentary. For an artist known for brash anthems and humor, this homage showed range.

Her fans praised her eye for cultural references and her ability to keep her name circulating through creativity rather than controversy. Union’s repost elevated it further, making the Halloween moment a cross-generational bridge between early-2000s Black cinema and modern hip-hop expression.

By embodying Connie Spalding, GloRilla didn’t just revisit a character — she aligned herself with a lineage of confident, self-possessed women who owned their narrative both on and off screen.

Conclusion: a Halloween tribute with lasting power

At first glance, GloRilla’s Two Can Play That Game costume might seem like another celebrity Halloween flex. But its execution — equal parts reverence and reinvention — made it one of the day’s standout moments. She didn’t just dress up as Gabrielle Union’s Connie Spalding; she resurrected an era of bold, powerful femininity and reframed it through her own unapologetic lens.

And when Gabrielle Union herself cosigns the look? That’s not just Halloween done right — that’s legacy meeting evolution.