If you were on Twitter—back when it was still called Twitter—in early 2021, you probably remember the absolute chaos that erupted over Julez Smith and Skai Jackson. It was one of those celebrity stories that seemed to come out of nowhere. One day Skai is the former Disney darling from Jessie, and the next, she’s at the center of a messy, viral fallout involving Beyoncé’s nephew.
Honestly, the whole situation was a lesson in why private lives and public platforms are a volatile mix. It wasn't just about a breakup. It was about leaked messages, "revenge" claims, and the realization that these kids—and they were kids—were dealing with very adult problems in front of millions of people.
People still talk about it because it felt like a turning point for both of them. It was the moment Julez, the son of Solange Knowles, stepped out of the shadow of his famous family, though probably not in the way his PR team would have liked.
How the Julez Smith and Skai Jackson Drama Started
The world didn't even know they were a "thing" until it was already over. That’s the wild part. Usually, you see the "soft launch" on Instagram or a paparazzi photo at a Lakers game. With Julez Smith and Skai Jackson, the public introduction was essentially a digital explosion.
In January 2021, Julez, who was 16 at the time, allegedly shared details about their relationship in a leaked group chat. He didn't hold back. He claimed that he and Skai (who was 18) had been involved, but that she had allegedly cheated on him. The messages were aggressive. He reportedly wrote about getting "revenge" and wanting to "ruin her life."
It was jarring. You’re looking at the grandson of Ms. Tina Knowles using language that felt way more "messy internet troll" than "nephew of the Queen."
The Video Controversy
The situation turned serious when an explicit video began circulating. Fans immediately accused Julez of being the one to leak it as part of his promised "revenge." While the source of the leak was never legally confirmed in a public court, the timing was enough to set social media on fire.
People were rightfully disgusted. Regardless of who did what in the relationship, the idea of "revenge porn" involving a teenager—even if Skai was technically 18—is a massive legal and ethical nightmare. The backlash was swift. Twitter users were pleading with the platform to scrub the footage, and for a few days, it felt like the only thing anyone in the industry was whispering about.
Why This Moment Changed Everything for Julez
For years, Julez Smith was just the "cool kid" in the background of Beyoncé’s home movies or Solange’s artsy Instagram posts. He was the kid who did the adorable dance at his mom's wedding.
After the Skai Jackson situation, that image shifted.
He had to grow up fast under a very harsh spotlight. When he did an Instagram Q&A shortly after the leak, someone asked if he and Skai were still friends. His response was a blunt, "F*** no." It was clear there was no bridge left to burn.
But fast forward to 2024 and 2025, and Julez has managed to pivot. He’s no longer just "the kid from the leaked texts." He’s a legitimate model. Seeing him walk the runway for Luar at New York Fashion Week or Versace in Milan shows a level of discipline that stands in stark contrast to the 2021 drama.
- Modeling Debut: February 2024 at NYFW.
- Major Brands: Versace, Luar, and Next Management.
- Family Support: Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Solange have all been spotted front-row at his shows.
It’s a classic Hollywood pivot. You bury the scandal under a pile of high-fashion editorials. Honestly, it's worked. Most people meeting Julez today through Vogue or GQ might not even know about the Skai era.
Skai Jackson’s Journey Since the Fallout
Skai has had a much more public—and frankly, more difficult—road since 2021. While Julez retreated into the exclusive world of high fashion, Skai remained a very public-facing influencer and actress.
She’s faced a string of headlines that have kept her name in the "controversial" category. In 2023, there was the MacBook raffle controversy where people accused her of scamming fans for $5 entries. Then came the 2024 arrest at Universal Studios Hollywood for suspicion of domestic battery.
The charges were dropped, and her team called it a "misunderstanding," but it added to a narrative of "struggle love" that fans have been worried about for years.
Motherhood and a New Chapter
Everything changed in late 2024. Skai confirmed she was pregnant with her first child. In January 2025, she welcomed her son, Kasai.
She seems to be finding a new sense of purpose in motherhood. She told People magazine at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards that being a mom is "exciting" and that she feels like she "can just do anything" now. It’s a far cry from the teenager caught in a Twitter firestorm.
However, it hasn't been entirely smooth sailing. In May 2025, reports surfaced that she sought a restraining order against her child's father, Deondre Burgin, alleging assault. It’s a reminder that while the Julez Smith and Skai Jackson drama is long gone, the patterns of high-stakes, high-drama relationships have been a recurring theme in her life.
The Age Gap Debate: Was It Actually a Problem?
One thing people often get wrong about this story is the "illegal" aspect. When the news first broke, people saw "16" and "18" and immediately started throwing around heavy legal terms.
In California, where they were based, the laws around age of consent are specific. Because they were only two years apart, the "Romeo and Juliet" concept—while not a formal law in CA in the way it is in other states—meant that the age gap itself wasn't the primary legal focus.
The real issue was the distribution of intimate material.
That’s where the conversation should have stayed. Focusing on whether an 18-year-old dating a 16-year-old is "weird" is one thing, but the potential "revenge porn" aspect is a literal crime. It’s a conversation that gets lost when people focus on the gossip instead of the actual harm.
What Most People Get Wrong
People tend to think this was a long-term, epic romance. In reality, it was a flash in the pan. Sources suggest they only dated for a few months in 2020 before the wheels came off in January 2021.
Another misconception? That their families were at war.
While the internet loved the idea of Solange and Beyoncé being "mad" at Julez for the PR mess, the Knowles-Carter clan is notoriously private. We never got a "Step into my office" moment from Auntie Bey. They did what they always do: went silent, tightened the circle, and rebranded.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for the Digital Age
The Julez Smith and Skai Jackson saga isn't just celebrity gossip; it's a cautionary tale for anyone living their life online. If you're looking at this story and wondering what to take away from it, here are a few thoughts:
- The Internet is Forever: Julez is a high-fashion model now, but his 16-year-old self’s angry texts are still just a Google search away.
- Privacy is Protection: There is a reason the most successful celebrities are the ones you know the least about. Julez seems to have learned this; his current social media is almost entirely professional.
- Accountability Matters: Whether it's a raffle controversy or a leaked video, the public has a long memory. The only way to move past it is through consistent, positive action over time.
If you're following these two today, you're seeing two very different versions of "growing up." One is doing it through the lens of elite fashion, and the other is doing it through the lens of motherhood and personal trials. Both have moved so far past January 2021 that it almost feels like a different lifetime.
The best thing you can do as a fan or a casual observer is to look at their current work—Julez's runway walks or Skai's upcoming film projects like The Man in the White Van—rather than getting stuck in the comments section of a five-year-old scandal.
To stay updated on their current careers, you can follow Julez Smith's modeling portfolio through Next Management or keep an eye on Skai Jackson's upcoming film releases on IMDb.