Johanna Leia is a successful American model, entrepreneur, social media influencer, and television personality who rose to prominence through the Lifetime reality show Bringing Up Ballers. She is widely recognized as the mother and manager of NBA player Amari Bailey and gained significant media attention for her high-profile relationship with rapper Drake in 2021. The multifaceted businesswoman has built an impressive career spanning modeling, entertainment, and youth sports management.
Johanna Leia Wikipedia
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Johanna Edelberg (professionally known as Johanna Leia) |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | February 19, 1981 |
| Age | 43 years old (as of December 2025) |
| Place of birth | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Current residence | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (Jewish and Sudanese) |
| Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 132 lbs (60 kg) |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Marital status | Single |
| Children | 2 (Amari Bailey and Savanna) |
| Profession | Model, entrepreneur, TV personality, social media influencer, sports manager |
| Company | Just Living Entertainment |
| Net worth | $5-7 million (estimated as of 2025) |
| @johannaleia |
Who is Johanna Leia?
Johanna Leia is an American model, reality television star, entrepreneur, and social media personality who has successfully built a multifaceted career in entertainment and sports management. She first gained widespread recognition through her appearance on the Lifetime reality series Bringing Up Ballers in 2017. The show followed Chicago mothers raising elite youth basketball players while managing their own businesses.
Leia has worked with prestigious modeling agencies including Ford Models and Wilhelmina Models. Her career extends beyond traditional modeling to include brand partnerships with companies like Fashion Nova and Skylar. She serves as the manager of her son Amari Bailey through her company Just Living Entertainment. Her relationship with Grammy-winning rapper Drake in 2021 propelled her into international spotlight and significantly increased her social media following.
How old is Johanna Leia? Age and birthday
Johanna Leia is 43 years old as of December 2025. She was born on February 19, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Her zodiac sign is Aquarius. The former model maintains a youthful appearance and stays active in the fashion and entertainment industries.
What is Johanna Leia’s net worth and salary?
As of 2025, Johanna Leia’s net worth is estimated to be between $5 million and $7 million. She has accumulated her wealth through diverse income streams spanning multiple industries. Her primary sources of income include modeling contracts with Ford and Wilhelmina agencies, reality television appearances, brand partnerships and endorsement deals, social media influencing, and sports management through her company Just Living Entertainment.
While her exact annual salary has not been publicly disclosed, Leia earns substantial income from sponsored Instagram posts to her more than 293,000 followers. Brand collaborations with Fashion Nova and other companies contribute significantly to her earnings. Her role as manager for her son Amari Bailey’s basketball career also provides additional revenue through contracts and negotiations.
Johanna Leia’s career
Early modeling career
Johanna Leia launched her professional career in the fashion industry during her twenties. Her natural beauty, tall stature, and charisma helped her secure representation with two of the most prestigious modeling agencies in the world. She signed contracts with both Ford Models and Wilhelmina Models, working on print campaigns, fashion shows, and promotional modeling projects. During this period, she developed the professional skills and industry connections that would later support her entrepreneurial ventures.
Reality television breakthrough
In 2017, Leia joined the cast of the Lifetime reality series Bringing Up Ballers. The show followed five Chicago-area entrepreneurial mothers raising their sons who were elite youth basketball prospects. The six-episode series showcased Leia’s dedication to her son Amari Bailey’s athletic development while balancing her business responsibilities. Although the show ran for only one season, it introduced Leia to national television audiences and established her as a relatable working mother navigating the competitive world of youth sports.
Social media influencing
Leia has successfully transitioned into social media influencing with over 293,000 Instagram followers as of 2025. She partners with major fashion brands including Fashion Nova, creating sponsored content and promotional posts. Her Instagram presence showcases lifestyle content, fashion collaborations, family moments, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her son’s basketball journey. This platform has become a significant revenue source and personal branding tool.
Entrepreneurship and sports management
Leia founded Just Living Entertainment, a sports management company through which she manages her son Amari Bailey’s professional basketball career. She handles contract negotiations, public relations, sponsorship deals, and career strategy. Her entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond sports management to include various business ventures and brand collaborations. She has successfully leveraged her modeling background and entertainment industry experience to build a diverse business portfolio.
Is Johanna Leia married? Husband, Relationship status and dating history
Johanna Leia is currently single as of 2025. She is not married and does not have a husband. The entrepreneur was previously in a relationship with former NFL player Aaron Bailey, with whom she shares two children. Aaron Bailey played as a wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts during his professional football career. The exact nature and timeline of their relationship remain private, and it is unclear whether they were ever formally married. The couple eventually separated, and Leia raised their children primarily in Chicago before relocating to Los Angeles.
Drake relationship
In July 2021, Johanna Leia made international headlines when she was romantically linked to Canadian rapper Drake. The relationship became public when the superstar rented out Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles for a private dinner date with Leia. TMZ reported that the couple had been dating for several months before going public. Drake reportedly met Leia through her son Amari Bailey on the high school basketball circuit and developed a relationship with both mother and son.
The romance generated massive media attention due to Drake’s celebrity status and Leia’s connection to the basketball world. However, the relationship was short-lived. By October 2021, multiple sources confirmed that Drake and Leia had ended their relationship. The split reportedly occurred before Drake’s 35th birthday celebration. Neither Drake nor Johanna Leia has publicly commented extensively on their brief romance. Since the breakup, Leia has maintained her focus on her career and children.
Johanna Leia’s children
Amari Bailey
Johanna Leia has two children. Her eldest child is Amari Bailey, born on February 17, 2004, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Amari is a professional basketball player who currently plays in the NBA. He shares his son with ex-partner Aaron Bailey. Amari attended Sierra Canyon High School in California, where he became a nationally ranked basketball prospect and McDonald’s All-American selection. He later played college basketball for UCLA before being drafted 41st overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Johanna has been deeply involved in Amari’s basketball career, serving as both his mother and manager. She relocated from Chicago to Los Angeles to provide better opportunities for his athletic development. Their close relationship has been documented on social media and in various interviews. Amari has publicly credited his mother for her sacrifices and unwavering support throughout his basketball journey. Like his mother, Amari identifies with his Jewish heritage from Leia’s side of the family.
Savanna
Leia welcomed her second child, daughter Savanna, in 2015. Savanna is approximately 10 years old as of 2025. Despite the significant age gap between the siblings, Amari and Savanna share a close bond. Leia frequently shares family moments on social media showcasing her relationship with both children. Less public information is available about Savanna compared to her basketball star brother, as Leia maintains more privacy regarding her daughter’s life.
Johanna Leia’s height and weight
Johanna Leia stands 5 feet 10 inches tall, which is equivalent to 178 centimeters. Her height was a significant asset during her professional modeling career. She weighs approximately 132 pounds, which is about 60 kilograms. The former model maintains her physique through regular fitness routines and healthy lifestyle choices. Her measurements include a bust-waist-hip ratio that aligns with fashion industry standards. Leia has black hair and brown eyes.
Johanna Leia’s background and ethnicity
Johanna Leia’s original surname is Edelberg. She comes from a mixed ethnic background with Jewish and Sudanese heritage. Her mother, Joan Edelberg, is a prominent entrepreneur and real estate broker of Jewish descent. Her father’s name has not been publicly disclosed, but he is of Sudanese origin. Leia identifies with her Jewish heritage and has raised her children with awareness of their cultural background. Her son Amari Bailey also identifies as Jewish, making him one of the few Jewish players in the NBA.
Leia was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, where she spent most of her early life and young adulthood. She later relocated to Los Angeles, California, to provide better opportunities for her son’s basketball career and to expand her own professional ventures in entertainment and modeling.
Fast facts about Johanna Leia
- Johanna Leia’s birth name is Johanna Edelberg, though she is professionally known by her stage name.
- She appeared on the Lifetime reality show Bringing Up Ballers in 2017 alongside other Chicago mothers of basketball prospects.
- Leia has represented two of the world’s most prestigious modeling agencies: Ford Models and Wilhelmina Models.
- She relocated from Chicago to Los Angeles specifically to support her son Amari Bailey’s basketball career development.
- Drake famously rented out the entire Dodger Stadium for a private dinner date with Leia in July 2021.
- Leia founded Just Living Entertainment, a sports management company that represents her son and potentially other athletes.
- She maintains an active Instagram presence with over 293,000 followers and regularly collaborates with Fashion Nova.
- Her son Amari Bailey was selected 41st overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets.
- Leia successfully balances multiple careers including modeling, social media influencing, entrepreneurship, and sports management.
- She is of mixed Jewish and Sudanese heritage and has raised her children with awareness of their cultural background.
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Wrapping up
Johanna Leia is a multifaceted entrepreneur and former model who has successfully transitioned from fashion runways to reality television and sports management. Best known as the mother of NBA player Amari Bailey and for her brief high-profile relationship with Drake, she has built an impressive career spanning multiple industries. With an estimated net worth between $5 million and $7 million in 2025, Leia continues to expand her influence through social media, brand partnerships, and her sports management company Just Living Entertainment.
References
- People. “Who Is Amari Bailey’s Mom? All About Johanna Leia“.
- Startup Rise. “Johanna Leia: A Model, Mother, Entrepreneur, and Modern-Day Icon“.
- Impact Wealth. “Johanna Leia: Model, Mother, Entrepreneur, and Modern Icon“.
- TMZ. “Drake Dating Johanna for Months Tight with Her Son, Too“.
- Rap-Up. “Drake Splits With Johanna Leia, Dating New Woman“.
- The Jewish News. “The Jewish NBA Players to Watch as the 2024-2025 Season Tips Off“.
- Legit.ng. “Johanna Leia’s biography: age, height, son, partner, net worth“.
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