Julez Smith, born Daniel Julez J. Smith Jr. on October 18, 2004, is the 21-year-old son of Solange Knowles who has built one of the more compelling modeling careers to emerge from the Knowles-Carter family orbit. He has fronted campaigns for Louis Vuitton, appeared in Vogue and GQ France, and walked the Met Gala red carpet as a recognized face in luxury menswear rather than simply a celebrity’s child.

Being Beyonce’s nephew guarantees attention. It does not guarantee credibility in an industry that discards nepotism hires quickly. Julez converted the former into the latter by landing editorial shoots with Teen Vogue and Pause Magazine, partnering with brands like Luar and Farfetch, and walking Raul Lopez’s Luar Fall 2024 runway during New York Fashion Week with Beyonce, Solange, and Tina Knowles seated front row. He is represented by NEXT Management in both Los Angeles and New York.

Who Is Julez Smith? Full Name, Birthday & Early Life

Daniel Julez J. Smith Jr. was born on October 18, 2004, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Solange Knowles and Daniel Smith Sr. He is 21 years old, stands approximately 6’1″, and has established himself as a working model signed to NEXT Management with confirmed campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Luar, and H&M. His full legal name rarely surfaces in mainstream coverage, which is why most people know him simply as Julez Smith.

Full Name, Birthday & Star Sign

His full name — Daniel Julez J. Smith Jr. — mirrors his father’s, Daniel Julez Smith Sr., a naming tradition that underscores the tight family bond between them. Born on October 18, 2004, Julez Smith is a Libra, the air sign ruled by Venus and associated with aesthetics, balance, and charm. A Venus-ruled Libra gravitating toward high fashion is almost too on-brand.

Growing Up in New Orleans & Bilingual Background

New Orleans shaped Julez Smith in ways that set him apart from the typical celebrity kid narrative. The city’s rich Creole culture, French colonial history, and multilingual social fabric gave him an early immersion in French — a fluency he has demonstrated publicly and one that has clearly added to his appeal when working with European luxury houses and publications like GQ France.

During his high school years, Julez had a serious interest in basketball — at age 14, the sport was his primary focus, and he has mentioned dreaming of playing in the NBA. That athletic background contributed to the lean, composed physicality he brings to the runway. After high school, Julez enrolled at Parsons School of Design in New York City, where he studies design, adding a formal creative education to his modeling career.

Julez Smith’s Parents, Family & the Knowles-Smith Dynasty

Julez Smith’s mother is Solange Knowles, his father is Daniel Julez Smith Sr., his aunt is Beyonce, his uncle by marriage is Jay-Z, his first cousin is Blue Ivy Carter, and his maternal grandmother is fashion designer Tina Knowles. Solange gave birth to Julez when she was 17 years old, and she and Daniel Smith Sr. divorced in 2007 when Julez was about three.

His Mother Solange Knowles & Father Daniel Julez Smith Sr.

Solange Knowles, the Grammy-winning artist behind A Seat at the Table and younger sister of Beyonce, gave birth to Julez in October 2004 at age 17. He is her only child. According to L’Officiel USA (2024), Julez’s first modeling job came at age three for Baby Jamz, a toy line created by Music World Entertainment, the label founded by his grandfather Mathew Knowles.

Daniel Julez Smith Sr. is considerably less public than his famous ex-wife. Daniel Sr. is of African American heritage, which combined with Solange’s Black American roots makes Julez Smith ethnically Black American on both sides. The couple married young, divorced in 2007, and Solange later married director Alan Ferguson in 2014. Daniel Sr.’s relative privacy has kept his full personal history out of mainstream coverage, though Julez has referenced both parents positively in interviews.

Julez carries his father’s name directly: Daniel Julez J. Smith Jr. The “Jr.” is a deliberate generational link, even as Julez has built a public identity distinct from both parents.

Aunt Beyoncé, Uncle Jay-Z, Cousin Blue Ivy & Grandmother Tina Knowles

Beyonce is Julez Smith’s maternal aunt, a relationship that carries enormous cultural weight but one Julez has navigated with composure. The two have been photographed together at family gatherings and public events, including the premiere of Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce. Julez has reportedly spent time at Beyonce’s Los Angeles residence, and that proximity to global superstardom clearly shaped his comfort in front of cameras and in high-profile environments.

Jay-Z, as Beyoncé’s husband, is Julez’s uncle by marriage. Blue Ivy Carter — Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s eldest daughter — is Julez Smith’s first cousin. Blue Ivy, born in 2012, is roughly eight years younger than Julez, meaning he was already a teenager by the time his cousin began her own public profile as a Grammy winner.

Tina Knowles, the family matriarch and celebrated fashion designer, is Julez’s maternal grandmother. Tina Knowles has been openly affectionate about Julez on social media, describing him with pride as he stepped into the modeling world. Her own background in fashion and costume design adds another layer of creative inheritance to Julez Smith’s aesthetic DNA.

The density of creative achievement across the Knowles-Carter family is unusual even by entertainment standards. Julez himself has dabbled in music production, making beats and experimenting in the studio, though he has stated plainly: “I like executive producing — putting people together and creating a sound. But I never wanted to rap or sing.” His creative interests clearly run broader than modeling alone, encompassing design studies at Parsons and behind-the-scenes music work.

Julez Smith’s Physical Stats — Height, Weight, Hair & Eye Color

Julez Smith stands approximately 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall and weighs an estimated 165 to 170 lbs (75 to 77 kg), with a lean, athletic build suited to luxury menswear sample sizes. His height, dark brown eyes, and warm golden-brown complexion have made him a natural fit for brands like Louis Vuitton that favor long, clean proportions in their male model casting.

Height & Weight

Solange Knowles’ son inherited a tall frame that photographs exceptionally well in structured tailoring. His physique sits comfortably within the sample-size range that high-fashion runways demand.

Hair, Eye Color & Signature Look

Julez Smith’s hair is a defining part of his visual identity — he frequently wears his natural hair in braids, a styling choice that reads as both culturally rooted and editorially intentional. His eye color is dark brown, and his complexion carries warm, golden-brown undertones that shoot well under both studio and natural light.

The overall Julez Smith aesthetic — tall, understated, effortlessly cool — aligns him with the Knowles-Smith family’s broader reputation for taste-making.

Julez Smith’s Modeling Career — Campaigns, Magazines & Fashion Weeks

Julez Smith is signed to NEXT Management in both Los Angeles and New York, with confirmed modeling credits including Louis Vuitton campaigns, a debut Vogue editorial profile, GQ France and Teen Vogue features, and runway appearances at New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week. His editorial range, runway presence, and luxury brand partnerships confirm he belongs in those rooms regardless of his famous family name.

Magazine Covers & Editorial Shoots

His Vogue debut editorial was the clearest signal that the fashion industry was taking Julez Smith seriously as an emerging model. In that profile, Julez told Vogue: “I’ve been wanting to model for a couple of years, it just never really worked out. Luar was really my breakthrough.” The GQ France feature reinforced his international appeal, bolstered by his French-language fluency and New Orleans cultural background.

Teen Vogue positioned him within the next-generation fashion conversation, while his Pause Magazine photoshoot leaned into a sharper, more editorial aesthetic. According to Numero Netherlands (2024), Julez described the runway experience as transformative: “The adrenaline and rush of walking out on the runway is the best feeling — it’s almost like getting ready to play in a big game.”

Brand Campaigns — Louis Vuitton, Luar, Blue Marble, H&M & Farfetch

His brand portfolio spans the full spectrum from ultra-luxury to accessible fashion, which is a deliberate and smart positioning move for a model at this career stage.

The Luar campaign is particularly notable — Raul Lopez’s Brooklyn-born label has deep roots in New York’s queer and Latino communities, and its castings are intentional. A Julez Smith Louis Vuitton association at this stage of his career places him in company with models who typically have years more experience.

Paris Fashion Week, Met Gala 2025 & Modeling Agency

Julez Smith made his runway debut at the Luar Fall/Winter 2024 show during New York Fashion Week on February 13, 2024, wearing an oversized black leather trench coat with matching pants and oversized fur gloves. According to Essence (2024), designer Raul Lopez’s casting was intentional, and Julez later posted: “Thank everyone for the beautiful support. Much more to come.” He followed that debut by walking for Donatella Versace at the Versace Fall 2024 show in Milan.

His Paris Fashion Week appearances generated significant coverage, and the Met Gala 2025 placed him on fashion’s most-photographed red carpet. Julez Smith is represented by NEXT Management in both its Los Angeles and New York divisions, listed on the agency’s roster alongside established names in the luxury menswear space.

Julez Smith’s Personal Life — Dating History, Relationships & Public Statements

Julez Smith has been publicly linked to actress Skai Jackson and has addressed online speculation about his sexuality directly, stating he is straight. He has kept most of his personal life relatively private despite his family’s extraordinary public profile, sharing limited personal content on his social media accounts.

Rumored Relationships — Skai Jackson & Jodie Woods

The most widely reported connection was between Julez Smith and Skai Jackson, the former Disney Channel actress known for her role on Jessie. The two were spotted together publicly and their relationship was discussed extensively on social media and entertainment forums including Lipstick Alley. The relationship reportedly lasted from roughly ages 17 to 19 for Julez. In an interview with People, Julez confirmed the timeline: “It was my junior year of high school, so 17 to 19. She came to Europe with me.”

Jodie Woods, the younger sister of Jordyn Woods, has also been mentioned in connection with Julez Smith in online speculation, though no public confirmation of a relationship has surfaced from either party. His current relationship status remains private.

Public Statements on Sexuality & Social Media Presence

Julez Smith confronted rumors about his sexuality head-on in a widely shared interview. According to HotNewHipHop (2024), he stated: “Grown ass adults were calling me gay at 13.” He explained that the speculation intensified when he entered modeling: “I started modeling, and I went from bashing women to automatically now I’m gay.” The directness of his response shut down years of online conjecture.

On social media, Julez maintains a relatively low profile compared to most public figures his age. His Instagram account (@iamjulezjsmith) has limited posts, and he has accounts on X/Twitter (@Iamjulezjsmith) and TikTok (@jeluzsmith). The deliberate restraint is notable for a 21-year-old with a famous family and a growing modeling career.

Julez Smith’s Net Worth — Earnings & Career Value

Julez Smith’s net worth is estimated between $500,000 and $1 million based on his confirmed modeling contracts with brands like Louis Vuitton, H&M, Luar, and Farfetch, plus editorial fees from Vogue, GQ France, and Teen Vogue. Some outlets have cited figures as high as $5 million, but those estimates appear to conflate personal earnings with family wealth and lack verifiable sourcing.

His primary income streams at this career stage include runway appearance fees, brand campaign contracts, and editorial modeling rates. A Louis Vuitton campaign alone can pay an emerging male model between $50,000 and $200,000 depending on usage rights and distribution scope. His NEXT Management representation positions him for increasingly lucrative bookings as his profile grows.

Julez Smith’s net worth should be understood separately from the Knowles-Carter family fortune. His grandmother Tina Knowles, aunt Beyonce, and uncle Jay-Z collectively represent billions in accumulated wealth, but Julez’s personal finances reflect the early stage of an independent career that is still scaling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Julez Smith?

Julez Smith is the son of Solange Knowles and Daniel Smith Sr., born Daniel Julez J. Smith Jr. on October 18, 2004, in New Orleans. He is a professional model signed to NEXT Management with campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Luar, and H&M, plus editorial credits in Vogue and GQ France.

How old is Julez Smith and how tall is he?

Julez Smith is 21 years old, born on October 18, 2004. He stands approximately 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall and weighs around 165 to 170 lbs, with a lean, athletic build that fits luxury menswear sample sizes.

What is Julez Smith’s net worth?

Julez Smith’s net worth is estimated between $500,000 and $1 million, driven by brand partnerships with Louis Vuitton, H&M, Luar, and Farfetch, plus editorial fees from major fashion publications.

Is Julez Smith related to Beyonce and Jay-Z?

Beyonce is Julez Smith’s maternal aunt, making Jay-Z his uncle by marriage and Blue Ivy Carter his first cousin. His maternal grandmother is fashion designer Tina Knowles, and his grandfather is Mathew Knowles.

Who is Julez Smith’s dad?

Julez Smith’s father is Daniel Julez Smith Sr., who married Solange Knowles and divorced in 2007. Daniel Smith Sr. is of African American heritage and maintains a private life outside the public spotlight.

What is Julez Smith’s zodiac sign and ethnicity?

Julez Smith is a Libra, born October 18. He is ethnically Black American on both sides, with his mother Solange Knowles and father Daniel Smith Sr. both of African American heritage.

Does Julez Smith speak French?

Julez Smith is fluent in French, a skill rooted in his New Orleans upbringing where French Creole culture runs deep. His bilingual ability has been an asset when working with European fashion publications like GQ France and luxury houses based in Paris.

What is Julez Smith’s modeling agency?

Julez Smith is signed to NEXT Management, one of the top modeling agencies globally, with representation in both the Los Angeles and New York divisions.

Who has Julez Smith dated?

Julez Smith’s most publicly known relationship was with Disney actress Skai Jackson, which he confirmed lasted from his junior year of high school (age 17) to age 19. He has also been linked to Jodie Woods in online speculation, though neither party confirmed a relationship.

What did Julez Smith say about his sexuality?

Julez Smith stated publicly that he is straight, pushing back against rumors that began when he was 13 years old. He told interviewers that the speculation intensified when he entered modeling, and he chose to address it directly rather than let online conjecture define his public image.

Conclusion

At 21, Julez Smith has moved well beyond the identity of Solange Knowles’ son or Beyonce’s nephew. His Louis Vuitton campaigns, Versace runway walk, Met Gala appearances, and editorial features in Vogue and GQ France represent real industry traction. Signed to NEXT Management with a growing brand portfolio spanning ultra-luxury to mass market, his trajectory mirrors the career arcs of models like Kaia Gerber and Lila Moss who leveraged family visibility into independent credibility.

The New Orleans roots, the French fluency, the Parsons School of Design education, and the Knowles-Carter family’s cultural authority all feed into a profile that luxury fashion houses find genuinely compelling. His next moves in the industry are worth watching closely.

Last modified: March 24, 2026