People love a good comeback story. Usually, those stories involve a messy public breakup followed by a "revenge" album and some cryptic Instagram posts. But the history between Solange Knowles and Daniel Smith doesn't really fit that mold. It's quieter. More complicated. It’s the kind of story that starts in a small town in Idaho and ends with a 20-year-old walking the runways in Paris.
Honestly, if you look back at 2004, the world was obsessed with Beyoncé. Solange was just the "younger sister" to most people. Then, at 17, she did something that shocked everyone—even her own family. She got married.
She wasn't just dating some guy. She married her high school sweetheart, Daniel Smith. They were kids, basically. Seventeen and nineteen. Within months, they had a son, Daniel Julez J. Smith Jr. (who everyone just calls Julez now). It was a whirlwind that would’ve broken most people, and for a while, it almost did.
The Idaho Years Nobody Talks About
Imagine being a Knowles. You’re used to Houston, the spotlight, and the fast-paced world of Destiny’s Child. Then, suddenly, you’re in Moscow, Idaho.
That’s where Daniel Smith was going to college and playing football. Solange moved there to be a wife and a mom. In a 2017 interview with Elle, she described those days as "isolating and lonely." It was cold. It was dark. While her sister was winning Grammys, Solange was in the middle of nowhere, changing diapers and trying to figure out who she was.
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But here’s the thing: she doesn't regret it.
She’s often said that those years in Idaho actually saved her. They gave her the space to write. While the world wasn't looking, she was penning hits like "Get Me Bodied" and "Upgrade U" for Beyoncé. The marriage to Daniel Smith wasn't just a "mistake" of youth; it was the crucible that turned her into an artist.
Why Did They Split?
By 2006, the marriage was effectively over. They officially divorced in 2007 when Solange was only 21.
People always want a villain. They want to hear about cheating or huge blowouts. But with Solange and Daniel, it seemed to be a classic case of outgrowing a situation. She told Harper’s Bazaar years later that going through a marriage and divorce by 21 gave her an "insane amount of perspective."
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Basically, she grew up. Fast.
Daniel Smith eventually moved out of the tabloid spotlight. He wasn't chasing fame. He did a stint in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers and eventually moved into talent management, even working with Roc Nation. He didn't disappear, though. He stayed present for Julez. You’ve probably seen the photos of them together—Julez looks exactly like him.
The "New" Daniel Julez Smith Jr.
If you’re wondering where they are now, just look at the 2024 and 2025 fashion weeks. Julez is 20 now. He’s no longer just the kid in the background of Beyoncé’s videos. He’s walking for brands like LUAR and Versace.
There was some "nepo baby" talk, obviously. Julez addressed it himself in a Teen Vogue profile, admitting that the doors open easier because of his name, but he still has to walk the walk. He actually interned at LUAR before he ever stepped on the runway. That shows a bit of that Knowles work ethic.
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Daniel Smith and Solange have mastered the art of "low-key" co-parenting. You don't see them arguing on Twitter. You see Daniel posting proud "my son" photos on Instagram. You see Solange being the supportive, slightly-mysterious art-icon mom.
What We Can Learn From Them
Most teenage marriages end in a disaster that people talk about for decades. This one didn't.
It tells us a few things about how to handle life when it doesn't go according to the "plan."
- Stability matters more than "winning" the breakup. Solange moved to LA, then Brooklyn, then New Orleans to find her own rhythm, but she always kept Julez's life stable.
- Early mistakes aren't always mistakes. Without Idaho and that early marriage, we might never have gotten A Seat at the Table.
- Privacy is a choice. Daniel Smith could have cashed in on his connection to the Knowles family. He didn't. He chose a normal life, and honestly, that’s probably why they get along so well now.
If you're looking for the drama, you won't find much here. What you will find is two people who grew up, moved on, and kept the focus on their kid. In the world of celebrity gossip, that’s actually the most shocking ending of all.
Next Steps for Readers:
If you're interested in how Solange's early life influenced her music, listen to the lyrics of "Cranes in the Sky" with her Idaho years in mind. You'll hear the isolation she talked about. You can also check out Julez Smith’s recent runway appearances to see how the next generation of this family is carving out a path that has nothing to do with music.