How Justin Hartley’s Daughter Isabella Is Carving Her Own Legacy
Isabella Justice Hartley not only is defining a life on her terms by keeping strong family connections but being very much her own person and keeping the renowned actor as just her father.
It was July 3, 2004, that Justin Hartley and then-wife Lindsay Korman first became parents to Isabella. She’s a gregarious 20-year-old who’s done very little indeed to court the public sphere apart from her Hollywood lineage through her parents.
Charismatic and self-reliant, she creates the perfect blend of independence with closeness, something desired by her parents.
A Childhood Anchored by Family Ties
Isabella came into the world only two months after Justin and Linsay got married in May 2004. Her parents had originally met on the set of Passions soap opera. It wasn’t meant to be and ended in 2012 after eight years of marriage. Despite this, however, the two have an amicable relationship and share joint custody of Isabella, giving her that solid base.
Lindsay has gone on record lauding Justin as a great dad and the harmony they find as co-parents is as much what helps keep an enriching environment for Isabella. She could have easily morphed into her parents’ profession since the acting bug bit her at an early age.
During a This Is Us premiere, Justin’s agent tries to talk Isabella into representation because of her outgoing personality. She demurs, stressing other pursuits and subtly asserting her independence.
Education and Transition to Adulthood
Isabella started her collegiate journey in May 2022 after graduating high school from the University of California, Santa Cruz. It was a significant transition for her as well as for Justin since he admitted having a tough time coming to terms with having his only child leave home.
“You think you’re ready for it, but when they’re actually gone, it hits you differently,”
He said in an interview for People. He joked about how seldom she calls, most of the communication being conducted through text.
But he is very proud of her, boasting about how she has been able to make it work all on her own.
“Every now and then I just look at her and it’s like, ‘When did you start talking? When did you start wearing shoes?’ etc and it’s quite surreal the amount of growth she’s had. It’s hard to believe that that little girl is now an adult,”
He said on an NBC Insider article.
Isabella’s Personality and Her Bond with Justin
Returning to our theme, other people believe such assumptions have to do with casting celebrities’ children into the limelight. That’s not the case with Isabella; she prefers not to attract public attention and is very keen on her studies and ventures. “Responsible, grounded, kind,” in Justin’s words, she is a credit to her upbringing.
“If you had a punch list of things that kids should accomplish from adolescence to adulthood, she’s hit every positive one,”
remarked Justin. Raising Isabella has not been without its challenges and its humorous moments. Teaching her how to drive was an especially harrowing experience.
So one time, for example, Justin was recounting gummy bears in the passenger seat quite nonchalantly until he realized that Isabella had run a red light.
His immediate reaction?
“That could have been my last gummy bear! You have got to be more careful!”
Justin also confessed that he had problems with the notion of her dating when she turned 15.
“I trust her, she’s responsible and wonderful. But I hate it all because I loved her first,”
he shared.
To this day, he says in jest that any suitor must meet his own high standard.
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Supporting Her Father’s Career
She has never been into acting herself, but Isabella has always been that supporting figure in Justin’s career. He has taken her to several red carpet events, including the Critics’ Choice Awards and some season premieres.
Lucky man, as he often jokes, to feel that she still enjoys going with him to such places. Justin shared:
“There’s that thing where you never know the day your kid will say, ‘I’m good,’ but that hasn’t happened yet.”
A Strong Family Bond
Family has been very instrumental in her growth and thus during most of her milestones her mother Lindsay would post touching messages on social media indicating their close bonding. For example, on the day of her high school graduation, she posted a video laughing with her daughter reflecting on what life would be after Isabella left for college.
Let’s see more. Isabella also has a very warm relationship with his stepmother, Sofia Pernas whom Justin got married to in 2021.
She has of late been on record showers Isabella with lots of praise terming her as very smart for her age and very rational in the decisions she makes,
“She knows exactly what she wants. It’s rare to see that level of self-awareness in someone her age,”
said Sofia.
She found her place defying the flashing lights typical of stardom inheritance in the industry. No matter whether tackling the journey of college, enjoying moments with loved ones, or setting limitations personally, she’s building a journey that is truly reflective of what she wants and who she aspires to be. She is still at heart very much tied to where she came from but in a far more grown up way.
“Some give me the title ‘dad’, which is my number one role, though I am also very excited to give it to Isabella,”
said Justin.
”To have her as an adult is to add another friend. I’ll always be Dad first no matter how old she is, even when she’s 30.”
Isabella Justice Hartley is proof that individuality and family ties can be coexistent, shining bright even within the shadow of Hollywood, making it on one’s own terms.
