Journee Smollet Ex Husband: I Want Half Her Childhood Earning

Ladies, imagine working since you were literally a toddler—hustling, booking gigs, making a name for yourself—only to have your ex roll up years later demanding a slice of your hard-earned retirement money. Well, that’s exactly what’s happening to our girl Jurnee Smollett, and honestly, the audacity is astronomical.

According to court documents obtained by Media Take Out, Jurnee’s ex-husband Josiah Bell is out here trying to secure himself a nice little retirement package—at her expense. Despite Jurnee already cutting him a nearly $1 million check since their divorce was finalized in 2021, Bell is now demanding half of her 401(k) and SAG pension, which she has been stacking since she was three years old.

The Nerve!

So, let’s break this down real quick: Jurnee and Josiah were married from 2010 to 2019, and apparently, under California law, retirement savings earned during the marriage count as community property. Translation? Josiah thinks he’s entitled to 50% of whatever she put away from 2010–2019—because, you know, marriage.

Now, let’s be real. When most people get divorced, they might fight over the house, the car, maybe even who gets the air fryer (because let’s face it, air fryers are life). But Bell is out here going for her retirement fund? The money she was stashing away for her golden years? HER SAG PENSION?! The same pension she started earning as a literal child actor? The man is playing the long game, and honestly, it’s giving opportunist.

As If That Wasn’t Enough…

In case you were wondering, Josiah has not exactly been struggling since the split. Since their 2019 separation, he’s been collecting a smooth $7,000 a month in child support and alimony. And yet, that’s still not enough for him. Nope! He wants more! And apparently, the court is siding with him.

The latest ruling? The court has ordered Jurnee’s plan administrator to transfer half of her account balance to Josiah. So, not only has she been making sure he’s financially comfortable for the last few years, but now she also has to part ways with a chunk of her retirement savings.

Let me just say this—if I worked my whole life, stacking my coins since preschool, only to have an ex come through years later with his hands out, I would need immediate emotional support.

Twitter Is NOT Having It

Unsurprisingly, the internet is going off about this. The TL is filled with people dragging Josiah for filth, and honestly? Rightfully so.

One Twitter user wrote:

*”Jurnee Smollett’s ex really woke up and said, ‘I want to retire on *her* dime.’ Sir, go get a job.”*

Another said:

“So he’s been living off her alimony checks, and now he wants half of her 401(k)? He’s not an ex-husband, he’s a liability.”

And then, of course, we got the Petty Twitter takes, like this one:

“Jurnee should have just put her 401(k) in an offshore account and told him to go fight the Bermuda Triangle for it.”

Honestly? No lies detected.

The Bigger Picture…

While it’s easy to clown Josiah for his shameless money grab, this situation actually highlights a bigger issue with divorce laws—especially in states like California, where assets acquired during a marriage are often split down the middle, regardless of who actually earned them.

In Jurnee’s case, she didn’t just work during the marriage—she’s been grinding since she was literally a child. Yet, here she is, being forced to share her future security with an ex who (from the looks of it) has been coasting since the split.

Honestly, when it comes to high-earning women, cases like this just show how important it is to get airtight prenups and lock down those assets before walking down the aisle. Because let’s be real—this isn’t the first time a woman has been hit with a post-divorce cash grab, and it sure as hell won’t be the last.

So, What’s Next?

At this point, Jurnee has two options: accept the court ruling and hand over the money (ugh) or fight it (which could mean more legal fees and drama). Either way, she’s in a tough spot—one that she shouldn’t even be in.

Meanwhile, Josiah is probably somewhere picking out a vacation home, knowing his retirement is secured thanks to his ex-wife’s lifelong hard work. And to that, I say:

Make it make sense.

One thing’s for sure, though—this man is catching strays on the internet for eternity, because social media does not forget. And honestly? He earned every bit of that dragging.

Final Thoughts?

What do y’all think? Is Josiah way out of line for coming after Jurnee’s retirement, or is he just playing the game by the legal rules? Either way, one thing is clear—Jurnee deserved better.

Now, excuse me while I go Google “how to hide my 401(k) from future husbands.”

Tags ·journey smollett