Johanna Leia: A Model, Mother, Entrepreneur, and Modern-Day Icon
Sep 5, 2025 | By Kailee Rainse

Johanna Leia is an American model, reality TV personality, entrepreneur and social media influencer who rose to fame through the Lifetime reality show Bringing Up Ballers, which spotlighted mothers raising young basketball prodigies. Born on February 19, 1981, Johanna has built a diverse career that spans modeling, television, and youth sports development. She has worked with top modeling agencies such as Ford and Wilhelmina and has collaborated with popular fashion brands like Fashion Nova, Skylar, and others. However, she is perhaps best known as the mother of Amari Bailey, a former high school basketball star who played at Sierra Canyon and committed to UCLA.
Dedicated to supporting her children’s ambitions both Amari and her daughter Savvy Johanna has also launched youth basketball training initiatives like the "Superstar" camp. In 2021, she drew widespread media attention for her brief but highly publicized relationship with rapper Drake, including a now-famous private dinner at Dodger Stadium. As a public figure, Johanna balances a glamorous lifestyle with active parenting, business endeavors and online influence, gaining hundreds of thousands of followers who engage with her fashion-forward and family-centered content.
Category | Details |
Birthday | February 19, 1981 |
Age | 43 (as of 2025) |
Children | Amari Bailey and Savanna |
Career Highlights | Model (Ford & Wilhelmina), Reality TV (Bringing Up Ballers), Entrepreneur, Sports Manager |
Notable Relationship | Briefly dated rapper Drake in 2021 |
Social Media | 300K+ Instagram followers |
Hometown | Chicago, Illinois |
Current Base | Los Angeles, California |
Early Life and Modeling Career
Johanna Leia was born on February 19, 1981, and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. While not much is publicly known about her early childhood, she developed a strong interest in fashion and entertainment at a young age. Her natural beauty and charisma helped her break into the modeling industry where she signed with major agencies such as Ford Models and Wilhelmina Models. Through these top-tier agencies, Johanna gained experience in print campaigns, fashion shows and promotional modeling. Her work in the industry allowed her to build a name for herself in both fashion and lifestyle circles, and she later expanded her influence to social media and reality television. Her early modeling success laid the foundation for her career as a public figure, combining beauty, business, and branding.
- Born on February 19, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois
- Developed a passion for fashion and entertainment early in life
- Signed with Ford Models and Wilhelmina Models
- Worked in print, runway, and promotional modeling
- Gained popularity in urban fashion and lifestyle circles
- Modeling career helped launch her public image and social media presence
- Used early success to transition into entrepreneurship and reality TV
Johanna Leia Net Worth
Johanna Leia’s net worth is estimated to be between $5 million and $7 million as of 2025. She has built her wealth through a diverse career that includes modeling, reality TV, social media influencing and entrepreneurship. Johanna modeling work with agencies like Ford and Wilhelmina along with brand partnerships with companies such as Fashion Nova has contributed significantly to her income. Additionally, her appearance on the Lifetime reality series Bringing Up Ballers helped raise her public profile. With a strong social media presence of over 300,000 followers, she also earns from sponsored posts and collaborations. Beyond modeling and media Johanna has invested in entrepreneurial ventures including a clothing line and youth basketball programs further boosting her financial standing.
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Mar 24, 2025
- Estimated net worth between $5 million and $7 million (2025)
- Income from modeling with top agencies and brand deals
- Featured on Lifetime’s Bringing Up Ballers reality show
- Earns through social media influence and sponsored content
- Entrepreneurial ventures include clothing lines and youth sports initiatives
Reality TV and Bringing Up Ballers
Johanna Leia gained national attention through her role on the Lifetime reality TV series Bringing Up Ballers which aired in 2017. The show followed a group of dynamic and ambitious mothers in Chicago who were raising exceptionally talented sons with dreams of making it to the NBA. Johanna stood out for her confident personality, fashion-forward style and deep involvement in her son Amari Bailey’s basketball journey.
As one of the central figures on the show she highlighted the sacrifices and strategic efforts required to support a young athlete’s career, while also balancing motherhood, business, and personal branding. Bringing Up Ballers not only boosted Johanna’s public profile but also positioned her as a strong, hands-on “basketball mom” with a growing influence in both the sports and entertainment worlds.
Johanna Leia and Drake: A Summer Romance in 2021
In the summer of 2021, Johanna Leia stepped into the international spotlight when she began dating Drake one of the world’s most famous music artists. Their relationship grabbed attention after Drake famously rented out Dodger Stadium for a private, romantic dinner with Johanna complete with candles and white tablecloths set up on the field. Insiders revealed that Drake had also been mentoring Johanna’s son, Amari Bailey, offering valuable advice on navigating fame and public life.
The couple had reportedly kept their relationship private for several months before the stadium dinner went viral. By October 2021 they ended their romance amicably without any public drama. For Johanna, the high-profile relationship helped increase her visibility, but she remained focused on her family above all else.
Social Media and Style
Johanna Leia is well-known for her vibrant and fashion-forward presence on social media, especially Instagram, where she has amassed over 300,000 followers. She uses her platform to share glimpses of her glamorous lifestyle, motherhood, fashion choices and entrepreneurial ventures. Johanna’s style is often described as bold, trendy and unapologetically confident mixing high-end fashion with streetwear influences. Whether showcasing elegant dresses, casual chic looks, or sporty outfits, she consistently sets trends and inspires her audience. Her social media presence not only highlights her flair for fashion but also serves as a powerful tool for brand collaborations and promoting her business projects.
- Instagram influencer with 300K+ followers
- Known for bold, trendy and confident fashion style
- Mixes high-end fashion with streetwear elements
- Shares lifestyle, motherhood and entrepreneurial content
- Uses social media for brand partnerships and promotions
Johanna Leia Personal Life
Johanna Leia’s personal life is deeply rooted in her role as a dedicated and loving mother, with her two children Amari Bailey, a rising basketball star and her daughter Savanna being the center of her world. Born and raised in Chicago, Johanna has always emphasized the importance of family, discipline and hard work, values she has instilled in her children as they pursue their own dreams and ambitions. Currently based in Los Angeles, she skillfully balances her responsibilities as a parent with her multifaceted career as a model, reality TV personality, entrepreneur and social media influencer.
Despite her public presence, Johanna maintains a level of privacy around her personal life choosing to focus public attention on her family’s achievements and her own growth rather than on personal controversies or drama. She is known for her strong commitment to nurturing her children’s talents especially Amari basketball career while also empowering herself through various business ventures and lifestyle projects. Throughout her journey Johanna has stayed down-to-earth, always putting her family’s happiness and growth first while handling the challenges of public life with strength and calm.
Conclusion
Johanna Leia stands out as a multifaceted public figure who has successfully blended motherhood, modeling, entrepreneurship and media presence into a unique and inspiring brand. From her early days in Chicago to her rise in the fashion and entertainment industries, she has consistently demonstrated resilience, confidence and a strong sense of purpose. Whether it is supporting her son Amari Bailey athletic journey building her own business ventures or capturing attention through her stylish social media presence, Johanna continues to evolve while staying true to her core values. Her story reflects a modern woman ability to balance personal life and public influence making her a relatable yet aspirational figure for many.