Daniel Julez Smith Jr. is opening up about growing up in the public eye and the rumors that have followed him since childhood.
During a recent livestream, the 21-year-old model was asked about the most difficult part of being himself. “Misconceptions,” he replied, before reflecting on how early public judgment influences his experience.
Julez recalled one moment that stuck with him, dating back to when he was just 13. After Solange shared a photo of him dressed as LL Cool J, he says the reaction quickly turned harsh.
“This is grown-ass adults who was calling me gay at what, 13?” he continued, adding that he was characterized as a “pretty boy” by commenters,” he said. “I had a girlfriend at the time.”
Solange Knowles’s son, Julez Smith addresses Gay and Homophobia allegations following back and forth with Gaye magazine:
” When I was 13, they said I was gay because I was a pretty boy but now they said I hate the gays, that’s crazy”pic.twitter.com/kj9HqFsl0c
— Red Media (@RedMedia_us) March 18, 2026
He explained that being labeled and judged so young left a lasting impression, especially for someone with no control over the attention.
Despite the early criticism, Julez has built his own path in fashion, walking in major shows across New York, Paris, and Milan and his family, including aunt Beyoncé, has often supported him from the front row and now he says he is focused on defining himself on his own terms.
“I’ve been critiqued since the start of my life,” he shared, adding that he has learned to ignore the perceptions of others and focus on what happiness means for him.
Watch him explain in the clip above.