Julian Blackmon’s Family: Wife, Children, Parents and Siblings

Last Updated on October 21, 2026 by Candida Lucia

Julian Blackmon is an American professional football safety who plays for the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 24, 1998, in Layton, Utah, he played college football at the University of Utah before being selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Beyond his football career, Julian Blackmon is a husband and father who grew up in an athletic family. His wife is Tyra Gilmore, and his daughter, Zella Love Blackmon, was born in April 2021. The couple also announced a pregnancy in 2024, with subsequent biographical reports identifying a son born in 2025.

Blackmon’s parents are Johnnie Blackmon and Carol Blackmon, and his stepmother is Kahea Blackmon. He also has two older brothers, Johnny and Jarriesse Blackmon, who helped inspire his interest in sports.

Julian Blackmon’s Wife: Who Is Tyra Gilmore?

Julian Blackmon is married to Tyra Gilmore, an American model and professional dancer who previously performed with the Utah Jazz dance team.

Gilmore was a member of the Utah Jazz’s 2022–23 dance team. Her background in dance and modeling has contributed to her public profile independently of her husband’s football career.

According to a wedding interview published by People magazine, Blackmon and Gilmore first encountered each other at a bar and subsequently connected through social media. Their relationship developed into a serious partnership.

In February 2024, Blackmon publicly announced his engagement to Gilmore through social media. The couple married on July 12, 2024, at La Caille in Sandy, Utah.

Their wedding included approximately 350 guests, among them several of Blackmon’s Indianapolis Colts teammates. The ceremony celebrated the couple’s cultural backgrounds, incorporating Samoan, Mexican and Navajo traditions.

Blackmon, who has Samoan heritage, participated in traditional Samoan dancing during the celebration. Gilmore, whose heritage includes Navajo and Mexican roots, also incorporated cultural traditions into the wedding.

The couple exchanged personal vows and emphasized their commitment to building a future together.

As of now, Tyra Gilmore is publicly known as Julian Blackmon’s wife, rather than simply his girlfriend.

Julian Blackmon’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?

Julian Blackmon is a father. His daughter, Zella Love Blackmon, was born in April 2021, and her birth was publicly confirmed by both the player and the Indianapolis Colts.

Zella Love Blackmon – Julian Blackmon’s Daughter

Julian Blackmon welcomed his daughter, Zella Love Blackmon, in April 2021.

On April 7, 2021, he celebrated her birth through a social media announcement expressing his excitement about becoming a father.

During a Father’s Day interview published by the Indianapolis Colts in June 2021, Blackmon discussed adjusting to fatherhood and learning how to care for his newborn daughter.

He explained that becoming a parent had changed his priorities and increased his motivation to succeed in professional football.

Rather than viewing football achievements only as personal accomplishments, Blackmon said he had developed a stronger sense of responsibility toward providing for his daughter.

Zella also participated in Blackmon’s wedding to Tyra Gilmore in July 2024. According to People magazine, she served as the ceremony’s flower fairy and spent time with Gilmore as the bride prepared for the wedding.

The publicly available wedding coverage identifies Zella as Blackmon’s daughter but does not establish the identity of her biological mother.

Julian Blackmon and Tyra Gilmore’s Reported Son

On October 31, 2024, Julian Blackmon and Tyra Gilmore publicly announced that they were expecting a baby in spring 2025.

Us Weekly documented the pregnancy announcement, which featured photographs of the couple holding ultrasound images.

Subsequent biographical listings, including Famous Birthdays, report that the couple welcomed a son named Jivayah Tamamanumalō Rain Hawk Blackmon in April 2025.

However, the child’s full name and exact birth details have not been independently confirmed through an original birth announcement or a detailed interview with the parents in the sources reviewed.

As of now, Zella Love Blackmon is Julian Blackmon’s publicly confirmed daughter, while a son born in April 2025 is also reported in secondary biographical sources.

Julian Blackmon’s Parents: Who Are His Father and Mother?

Julian Blackmon’s father is Johnnie Blackmon, and his mother is Carol Blackmon. Both parents are identified in his official University of Utah football biography.

The same university biography identifies Kahea Blackmon as his stepmother.

Julian Blackmon’s Father: Johnnie Blackmon

Johnnie Blackmon played an important role in Julian’s development as an athlete.

According to a MaxPreps feature about the Blackmon family, Johnnie was a talented high school athlete who participated in both football and basketball.

His interest in sports helped shape the athletic environment in which his sons grew up.

Julian has also discussed his father’s connection with University of Utah football assistant coach Sharrieff Shah.

In an interview published by Utah Athletics, Julian explained that his father knew Shah from earlier in life. That connection helped introduce him to Utah football camps when he was younger.

As Julian developed his football abilities, his father’s encouragement and athletic background became important influences on his career.

Julian Blackmon’s Mother: Carol Blackmon

Carol Blackmon is Julian Blackmon’s mother. Her identity is confirmed in the University of Utah’s official player biography.

Unlike her son, Carol has maintained a relatively private public profile.

There is limited verified information about her occupation, personal background or day-to-day activities.

Although Julian has occasionally discussed his upbringing and family relationships, he has not made detailed information about his mother a regular subject of his public interviews.

Julian Blackmon’s Stepmother: Kahea Blackmon

Kahea Blackmon is Julian Blackmon’s stepmother, according to his official University of Utah biography.

Kahea is part of the wider Blackmon family, whose Samoan cultural traditions have been highlighted publicly.

At Blackmon’s July 2024 wedding, People magazine reported that a woman described as his “bonus mom” participated in traditional Samoan dances alongside members of the family.

However, the wedding report did not explicitly identify that individual by name, so it should not automatically be assumed that the person was Kahea.

Julian Blackmon’s Siblings: Meet His Two Older Brothers

Julian Blackmon has two older brothers, Johnny Blackmon and Jarriesse Blackmon.

His siblings played an important role in encouraging his interest in competitive sports.

During an interview with the University of Utah in 2018, Blackmon explained that both older brothers played football when they were younger.

As the youngest of the three brothers, Julian wanted to follow their example and eventually become an accomplished athlete himself.

Jarriesse Blackmon – Julian Blackmon’s Brother

Jarriesse Blackmon is one of Julian’s older brothers and a former college basketball player.

Jarriesse attended Layton High School, where he developed into a prominent basketball player.

According to MaxPreps, he became one of Utah’s notable high school basketball forwards during his senior season.

He later played college basketball at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UC Santa Barbara).

Jarriesse also supported Julian’s development as a basketball player during their high school years.

In a 2015 MaxPreps interview, Jarriesse spoke positively about Julian’s abilities as a point guard and described the importance of encouraging his younger brother.

His example demonstrated the importance of dedication and perseverance within the Blackmon family.

Johnny Blackmon – Julian Blackmon’s Older Brother

Johnny Blackmon is Julian’s other older brother.

A 2015 MaxPreps family feature identifies Johnny as Jarriesse’s older brother and describes how his involvement in basketball encouraged Jarriesse to pursue the sport.

Julian subsequently followed both of his older brothers into athletics.

Although Johnny has maintained a less prominent public profile than Julian, his athletic involvement helped establish the family’s sporting tradition.

Beyond those details, limited verified information is publicly available about Johnny’s current professional or personal life.

How Julian Blackmon’s Family Influenced His Football Career

Family played a central role in Julian Blackmon’s journey from Layton High School to professional football.

Growing up with two athletic older brothers introduced him to football and basketball at an early age.

In a 2019 University of Utah feature titled “Why U Play,” Blackmon explained that he initially felt uncomfortable with football’s physical contact.

However, watching his older brothers enjoy the sport encouraged him to participate.

He eventually developed a passion for the game while also competing in basketball, baseball and track.

Blackmon became an accomplished high school basketball player but ultimately chose football as his primary sporting career.

After playing college football for Utah from 2016 through 2019, he entered the NFL as a third-round selection by the Indianapolis Colts in 2020.

His later move to the New Orleans Saints marked another stage of his professional career.

Fatherhood has also influenced his perspective on success. In his 2021 interview with Colts.com, Blackmon explained that raising his daughter had given him additional motivation to work hard and provide for his family.

Frequently Asked Questions About Julian Blackmon’s Family

Who is Julian Blackmon’s girlfriend?

Julian Blackmon is married to Tyra Gilmore, a model and former Utah Jazz dancer. The couple married on July 12, 2024, in Sandy, Utah.

Does Julian Blackmon have children?

Yes. He has a confirmed daughter named Zella Love Blackmon, born in April 2021. Biographical sources also report that he and Tyra Gilmore welcomed a son in April 2025, following their public pregnancy announcement.

Who are Julian Blackmon’s parents?

His parents are Johnnie Blackmon and Carol Blackmon. His stepmother is Kahea Blackmon, as documented by the University of Utah.

How many siblings does Julian Blackmon have?

Julian Blackmon has two older brothers, Johnny Blackmon and Jarriesse Blackmon. Both influenced his early interest in athletics.

Is Julian Blackmon related to Jarriesse Blackmon?

Yes. Jarriesse Blackmon is Julian Blackmon’s older brother and a former college basketball player at UC Santa Barbara.

Where did Julian Blackmon grow up?

Julian Blackmon grew up in Layton, Utah, where he attended Layton High School before playing college football at the University of Utah.