Bryton James After Family Matters, Marriage, Loss and New Beginnings

Bryton James became a television star before he could even read his scripts. Long before audiences knew him as the charming, dependable Devon Hamilton on *The Young and the Restless*, he was already working in front of cameras as a child.

His career began at just two years old, and by the time he joined *Family Matters* as Richie Crawford, he was still so young that he could not read on his own.

What followed was a remarkable rise in entertainment, but also a deeply personal life shaped by loss, heartbreak, self-reflection, and difficult choices.

Today, Bryton James is widely respected as one of daytime television’s most accomplished performers. But his story is not just one of fame and success.

It is also the story of a man who spent years trying to understand himself, navigate relationships, and figure out what kind of future truly made sense for him.

His recent divorce battle, which followed a marriage that lasted less than a year, has surprised many fans. It has also reopened interest in the private life of a man who has spent much of his life in the public eye.

A brief marriage that ended in public

In March 2025, James married professional dancer Jiara Meyers. From the outside, the relationship looked joyful and full of promise.

Meyers was herself on the rise, having worked with major artists like Beyoncé and Usher, and shortly after the wedding she joined Beyoncé’s highly anticipated *Cowboy Carter* tour.

James publicly celebrated her achievements, posting affectionate messages and praising her talent, discipline, and strength.

Their online exchanges painted the picture of a supportive, loving couple. James wrote that her journey was the result of a lifetime of hard work and belief in herself.

Meyers responded with equal warmth, thanking him for the way he saw her and for sharing life with her. Fans saw a couple that seemed aligned, grounded, and genuinely happy.

But behind the scenes, the marriage was already breaking apart.

Just three months later, in June 2025, the couple separated. In October, James filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences and asking the court to end any future claims for spousal support.

The divorce was finalized on March 24, 2026. For many fans, that seemed like the end of the story.

It wasn’t.

Only weeks later, Meyers filed a request for spousal support. According to court filings, she argued that her income as a professional dancer was unstable and depended heavily on contracts, tours, rehearsals, and live performances.

She reportedly earned about $1,150 per week before taxes, while James’ television career brought in more than $34,000 per month.

The request turned what had already been a short and emotional marriage into a more complicated legal dispute.

For fans who had watched the couple publicly support each other, the separation was hard to process.

The affectionate messages, the social media praise, and the public celebration of their marriage now felt like snapshots of a relationship that unraveled faster than anyone expected.

Why the marriage surprised so many people

The breakup was especially surprising because James had once been vocal about doubting whether he would ever marry again.

Before this second marriage, he had already been through one divorce. In 2011, he married Ashley Leisinger, and the relationship lasted three years before ending in 2014.

While James rarely discussed that split in detail, it clearly changed his view of marriage. In 2021, during an appearance on Maurice Bernard’s *State of Mind* podcast, he said he no longer believed marriage was something he needed in his life.

He explained that his ideas about the institution had changed and that he wasn’t opposed to it, but personally, he did not think he would do it again.

He also spoke candidly about parenthood, saying that he had long felt he did not want children and had come to accept that as a real part of who he was.

Those reflections made his 2025 wedding all the more unexpected. For a while, it seemed he had found a relationship strong enough to change his mind. Instead, the marriage ended within months.

Looking back, his earlier comments now appear unusually insightful. After one failed marriage, he had already questioned whether the traditional path of marriage and family truly fit his life. His second attempt at marriage seemed to confirm that suspicion.

A child star from the very beginning

Long before the divorce and long before his daytime television fame, Bryton James was already growing up in Hollywood.

He entered the entertainment industry at just two years old, appearing in advertisements and commercials while most children his age were still learning to speak in full sentences.

His breakthrough came when he was cast as Richie Crawford on *Family Matters*. At just three and a half years old, he joined the beloved sitcom as the son of Rachel Crawford. Over time, Richie became a familiar part of the Winslow household and a favorite among viewers.

James stayed on the show for more than 200 episodes between 1990 and 1997, becoming one of the most recognizable young stars on television. But the role gave him something more valuable than fame. It helped teach him how to read.

Because he was so young, his mother helped him study the scripts. He memorized every line in a scene by listening to the other actors and learning the rhythm of the dialogue. He has said that, in many ways, the process was easier than people might imagine because he was surrounded by experienced performers who made the environment supportive and manageable.

That early experience laid the foundation for a long career.

Growing up beyond *Family Matters*

After leaving *Family Matters*, James took on a few smaller acting projects, but unlike many child stars, he also stepped away from the spotlight for a time to finish school and enjoy a more ordinary teenage life. That pause did not last forever. In 2004, at just 17 years old, he landed the role that would define his adult career: Devon Hamilton on *The Young and the Restless*.

What started as a temporary role became one of the show’s most important character arcs. Devon began as a troubled, homeless teenager and slowly transformed into a successful businessman and one of the wealthiest figures in Genoa City. Over the years, the character endured some of the most dramatic storylines on daytime television, including a life-threatening illness that left him deaf for a time before he eventually received cochlear implants.

Through heartbreak, betrayal, romance, and loss, James brought depth and emotional weight to the role. His performances earned widespread praise and helped establish him as one of the most respected actors in the genre.

Awards, recognition, and net worth

James’ success has not gone unnoticed. Since 2006, he has received multiple Daytime Emmy nominations, winning in 2007 for outstanding younger actor in a drama series and again in 2020 for outstanding supporting actor. He has also been recognized by the NAACP Image Awards, winning twice for outstanding actor in a daytime drama series.

His long-running role on *The Young and the Restless*, along with voice acting work in animated series and video games, has contributed to an estimated net worth of around $2 million. Though exact salary details have not been publicly confirmed, longtime soap performers often earn significant pay over time, especially when they remain with a show for decades.

Bringing *Family Matters* back

Even with all of that success, James has never forgotten where his career started. In fact, he has become one of the strongest voices calling for a return of *Family Matters*. Rather than a traditional reboot, he has been developing the idea of turning the show into an animated series.

His goal is not simply to recreate the original, but to modernize it while keeping its heart intact. He has said he wants to adapt classic storylines for a new generation while preserving the spirit that made the sitcom so beloved. He has also stayed in touch with former cast members and hopes some of them could participate if the project moves forward.

Other cast members have also expressed interest in a revival, though their ideas differ. Jaleel White has suggested a more modern story inspired by the original series, while Jo Marie Payton has said she would return only if one long-running mystery is finally addressed: the disappearance of Judy Winslow. Kelly Shanygne Williams and Darius McCrary have also shown enthusiasm, proving that the show still means a great deal to those who made it.

A life still unfolding

Bryton James’ journey has been anything but simple. He went from child star to respected actor, from one marriage to another, and from private reflection to public heartbreak. He has dealt with success, disappointment, love, and reinvention, all while remaining in the spotlight.

Now he is looking ahead again. Whether that means continuing to grow *The Young and the Restless*, finalizing the *Family Matters* revival, or simply moving forward after a painful divorce, one thing is clear: Bryton James is still writing his story.

And for fans, that is what makes it so compelling.