Jaleel White Shares Awkward First Date with Bianca Lawson and College Tensions with Gabrielle Union in Growing Up Urkel

Jaleel White, the actor inextricably identified with the iconic Steve Urkel from Family Matters, is pulling back the curtain on his life and career in his newly released memoir, Growing Up Urkel. The book offers an unflinching, deeply personal look at White’s journey through the entertainment industry, replete with surprising stories about his relationships, run-ins with fellow stars, and the challenges of growing up in the limelight.

Navigating Teenage Fame: The Bianca Lawson Chapter

In one of the most candid chapters, about being a teenager, White recalls his cringe-worthy first date at age 16. After approaching a young woman at the NAACP Image Awards, he managed to get a date, which White now looks back on with a bit of humor and insight. The outing-which was underwhelming, to say the least-was marked by the girl’s apparent disinterest until they arrived at an arcade where she needed money.

Their short-lived romance dissipated following a second date, but it wasn’t until years later that White discovered the teenager he went on that date with was actress Bianca Lawson, now with notable roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Queen Sugar. He remembered their engagement and wondered if his celebrity status back then might’ve made her interested in him. “I highly doubt my asking for her phone number would have gone the same way had my position in television not signaled a possible opportunity for her,” he says, reflecting, even going so far as to question whether she was attracted to him. The story provides insight into the complications of navigating relationships while in the public eye.

UCLA and Gabrielle Union’s Honest Confession

White’s memoir also touches on his time as a college student at UCLA, where he unknowingly shared the campus with future A-lister Gabrielle Union. While White reflects on his college years with a mix of fondness and reflection, Union had a far more blunt take on it when she and White reconnected years later.

At a party, Union didn’t hold back, confessing to White, “We hated you and your Range Rover.” Her words highlighted the resentment White-faced as a young celebrity cruising around campus in luxury while his peers struggled with everyday student expenses. The anecdote captures the dichotomy of his life—idolized on-screen but often misunderstood off-screen.

The R. Kelly Incident: A Game Gone Wrong

Among some of the most shocking claims in Growing Up Urkel, White shares a tussle with controversial R&B singer R. Kelly. White said he once neared Kelly regarding an unreleased film project, only to have their possible partnership derailed when White challenged Kelly to a competitive game of one-on-one basketball.

For White, the game surprisingly turned hot, Kelly’s aggressiveness culminating in an altercation that soured what was shaping up to be a pretty good friendship. It is representative of the strange, often surreal moments he has experienced throughout his career.

The Highs and Lows of Growing Up Famous

Growing Up Urkel is more than a collection of Hollywood anecdotes; it’s an intensely introspective look at the harsh realities of fame. White reflects on the challenges of being a child star, from navigating personal relationships clouded by his celebrity to facing resentment from peers. His memoir also speaks to how early stardom shaped his life as an adult and his career arc.

The fact that White is willing to share these stories humorous, and others poignant-makes Growing Up Urkel a compelling read for fans and anybody interested in the complexities that come with living a life under the spotlight.

What are your thoughts on the revelations made by Jaleel White? Are you surprised to hear any of these stories? Let us know!