From Love to Lawsuits: Josiah Bell Wins $1 Million But Still Fights Jurnee Smollett for Her Hollywood Childhood Earnings 💔🎬

Jurnee Smollett has been a Hollywood presence since childhood, starring in projects like Full House, Eve’s Bayou, The Great Debaters, and later in HBO’s Lovecraft Country.

She earned her place in the industry with raw talent, persistence, and years of work that began long before she could even drive a car.

But now, her ex-husband Josiah Bell, a musician she married in 2010 and divorced in 2020, is trying to claim a piece of it.

According to court documents leaked this week, Bell—who already walked away with a $1 million settlement—is pushing for an additional share: half of the money Jurnee earned as a child star, money she accumulated long before he ever entered her life.

The move has shocked fans and sparked outrage online.

“He wasn’t there when she was 7 years old grinding on sets,” one furious commenter wrote.

“This is beyond greedy.

But Bell, insiders claim, believes he’s entitled to more.

His legal argument? That their marriage “contributed” to the management and maintenance of Jurnee’s long-standing financial assets, and that the fortune she earned as a child became part of the marital estate once they wed.

Family law experts are divided.

Under California law, assets earned before marriage are typically considered separate property—meaning Jurnee’s childhood money should be protected.

But if Bell’s team can argue that those funds were “commingled” with marital assets—such as being placed into joint accounts, used for investments, or funding their lifestyle—he may have a legal pathway to more money.

And that’s exactly what terrifies fans who have watched Jurnee build her career from scratch.

Jurnee, 37, has remained largely silent about the divorce drama, focusing instead on raising her son, Hunter, and continuing her acting career.

But those close to her say she’s “furious” at Josiah’s demand.

“She sees it as a betrayal,” one insider said.

“That money was her childhood, her sweat, her tears.

To go after it now is like erasing the years of work she put in before he even knew her.

The couple’s marriage was once seen as solid.

They appeared arm-in-arm at red carpets, Josiah often gushing publicly about Jurnee’s strength and beauty.

But behind the scenes, things unraveled.

By 2020, Jurnee filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.

Initially, reports suggested the split was amicable.

The $1 million payout was seen as closure.

But with this new legal battle, it’s clear the war is far from over.

Fans are not holding back their opinions.

Social media has exploded with hashtags like #StandWithJurnee and #KeepYourHandsOffHerMoney.

Many see Bell’s demand as opportunistic, an attempt to cash in on wealth he didn’t help create.

“Imagine marrying a woman, divorcing her, and then asking for the money she earned as a little girl in Hollywood,” one tweet read.

“That’s a new low.

Others point out the gendered double standard.

Female stars are often targeted by ex-partners in divorce settlements, forced to split fortunes built on decades of work, while their male counterparts rarely face the same level of financial siege.

Legal insiders warn, however, that the fight could drag on for months—if not years.

The question of whether Jurnee’s childhood money is considered “commingled” with her marital estate could come down to financial records and forensic accountants combing through decades of bank statements.

But the optics? Brutal.

Jurnee Smollett is riding a career high, with acclaimed performances that continue to cement her status as one of the most respected actresses of her generation.

Josiah Bell, by contrast, has seen limited success in music, with critics suggesting his fame was always tied more to his marriage than to his artistry.

Now, the divorce battle threatens to overshadow both of their legacies.

As one fan bluntly put it: “She gave him 10 years of her life and $1 million.

That should have been enough.

”

But for Josiah Bell, apparently, it isn’t.

And in the court of public opinion, he’s quickly becoming the villain in a Hollywood breakup story that’s turning uglier by the day.

Because this isn’t just about money—it’s about principle.

About ownership of childhood, of labor, of legacy.

And for Jurnee Smollett, the fight is no longer just legal.

It’s personal.