‘Birds Of Prey’ Actress Jurnee Smollett-Bell Files For Divorce After 10-Year Marriage
Marvel’s latest star, actress Jurnee Smollett-Bell, is pulling the plug on her marriage to her musician hubby of nearly 10-years. The Birds of Prey villain and her husband, Josiah Bell, seemed like the picture-perfect couple and many are surprised to discover the two are headed for splitsville.
Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Joshiah Bell’s marriage
Josiah and Jurnee married in Oct. 2010 at an LA botanical garden. The couple wed in front of just close family and friends, with Jurnee’s sister serving as her bridesmaid and Josiah’s father officiating the ceremony.
Both 24-years-old at the time, Jurnee told People Magazine that their wedding day was “beautiful, moving and personal.” They opted to plan the details of their wedding together instead of hiring a wedding planner, something she said brought her and Josiah closer together. “It’s incredible. My best friend is my life partner. It doesn’t get any better than that,” she said.
Jurnee told The Hollywood Reporter in 2013 that their relationship was solid due to having a strong friendship before they became romantic.
“We were best friends before we started even dating, so we had this really great foundation. I think one of the challenging things about any lasting relationship is that you have to be so vulnerable,” she said.
They held off on starting a family as they focused on being newlyweds and continued to build their careers. Josiah worked behind the scenes in the music industry, producing and composing music for artists like gospel singer Kierra Sheard. Jurnee landed major roles in films and television series including Confessions of A Marriage Counselor, True Blood and Underground.
They announced they were expecting their first child together in June 2016 with a cute post on Twitter and Instagram. “He+Me+Baby= Three. So in love w/ this beautiful blessing God has given us,” she wrote.
Their son, Hunter, was born the same year.
Jurnee Smollett-Bell files for divorce from Josiah Bell
There didn’t appear to be any apparent issues between the Bell’s but fans noticed they’ve been absent from each other’s social media pages. The last time either of them posted one another on their Instagram pages was in Oct. 2019.
Josiah wished Jurnee a happy birthday on Oct. 1, calling her his “QUEEN” in a picture of him lying in her lap with song lyrics, “You’re my goddess From a touch of heaven’s chosen…..I love you my baby. Happy Birthday!”
Jurnee promoted Josiah’s EP P. S. I Still Love You on her Instagram account on Oct. 11.
According to an exclusive report from Us Weekly, Jurnee’s lawyer handed in divorce documents to an LA court during the week of Mar. 16. The reason for their split is unknown.
Jurnee’s family was thrust into a tabloid frenzy last winter when her brother, Jussie Smollett, was accused of faking a hate crime. She stood by her brother while Josiah, with the exception of sharing a Smollett family statement on his Instagram, never publicly commented on the ordeal. It’s unclear whether or not Jussie’s drama contributed to Jurnee’s marital problems.
