Meet Daniel Julez J. Smith Jr., Beyoncé’s Nephew and Runway Model

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The Knowles family has a new name making headlines.

Daniel Julez Smith Jr., the son of Solange Knowles and her ex-husband Daniel Smith, debuted as a runway model at the Luar fall 2024 fashion show on Tuesday in New York. Wearing a dramatic leather coat, Smith Jr. was supported by his grandma, Tina Knowles, and his superstar aunt, Beyoncé, who were sitting in the show’s front row.

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Model on the runway at Luar RTW Fall 2024 as part of New York Ready to Wear Fashion Week held on February 13, 2024 in New York, New York.
Daniel Julez J. Smith Jr. at Luar’s fall 2024 show in New York.

His first job as a model came at only 3 years old when he was invited to be the face of a line of hip-hop-inspired toys called “Baby Jamz: Daily Lessons and Jamz Sessions,” created by Music World Entertainment which is owned by his grandfather, Matthew Knowles.

ATLANTA - MARCH 12: Daniel "Juelz" Smith and Solange backstage at the Estelle and Solange Concert at Center Stage on March 12, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Getty Images)
Daniel Juelz Smith Jr. and Solange Knowles backstage at the Estelle and Solange concert at Center Stage on March 12, 2009, in Atlanta.

Dipping into the fashion world at a young age, Smith Jr. accompanied his mom at Macy’s event announcing Anna Dello Russo as the new editor-at-large for its contemporary line INC International Concepts.

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 17:  Solange Knowles and her son Daniel Julez Smith, Jr. attend the INC International Concepts annoucement at Open House Gallery on August 17, 2011 in New York City.  (Photo by Andy Kropa/Getty Images)
Solange Knowles and Daniel Julez Smith Jr. at an INC International Concepts event on Aug. 17, 2011, in New York.

During his teen years, Smith Jr. revealed a passion for sports. “Basketball. That’s my life like that’s all I do, basketball and school,” he told the radio station 97.9 The Box in 2019. Following the steps of his musical family, Smith Jr. also told the station that he was learning how to produce music at the time.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 22:  Singer Beyonce Knowles (L) accepts the Millennium Award from her mother Tina Knowles and nephew Daniel Julez Smith Jr. during the 2011 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena May 22, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for ABC)
Beyoncé (L) accepts the Millennium Award from her mother, Tina Knowles, and nephew, Daniel Julez Smith Jr., during the 2011 Billboard Music Awards.

Smith Jr. is often seen at events organized by Beyoncé. He has posed for photos with many celebrities before, including Meghan Thee Stallion. In 2020, Beyoncé and her husband, Jay Z, hosted a party in their Bel-Air mansion to celebrate Smith Jr.’s 16th birthday.

In 2022, Smith Jr. showed his love for hip-hop on TikTok, where he shared videos performing rap songs. In 2023, he attended the world premiere of “Renassaince: A Film by Beyoncé” in Los Angeles with Tina Knowles.

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 25: (Editorial Use Only) (Exclusive Coverage) Julez Smith and Ms. Tina Knowles attend the World Premiere of "Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé" at Samuel Goldwyn Theater on November 25, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/WireImage for Parkwood)
Daniel Julez Smith Jr. and Tina Knowles at the world premiere of “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé” on Nov. 25 in Beverly Hills.

On his Instagram account, Smith Jr. has more than 70,000 followers with only two posts published so far. The first one, posted on Oct. 20, shows him modeling a distressed jacket by Heliot Emil. The picture was taken by Blair Caldwell, who works closely with Beyoncé and Kylie Jenner. The young model often uses the social media platform to share updates on his career and different outfits on Instagram Stories.

Celebrities Front Row at Luar Fall 2024 Ready-to-Wear Show Photos

Beyoncé
Beyoncé
Tina Knowles and Beyoncé
Tina Knowles and Beyoncé
Paloma Elsesser at the Thom Browne Fall 2024 ready-to-wear show
Paloma Elsesser at the Thom Browne Fall 2024 ready-to-wear show

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Launch Gallery: Celebrities Front Row at Luar Fall 2024 Ready-to-Wear Show Photos

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