The Young and the Restless

The Young And The Restless Bryton James angry when revealing reason for divorce, traitor exposed

Posted on by Jessica

A LOVE STORY CUT SHORT

Known to millions as Devon Winters, Brighton James has long embodied strength, loyalty, and heart on-screen. But off-screen, his love story has taken a heartbreaking twist.

Court documents obtained by TMZ confirm that Brighton quietly filed for divorce from wife Jiara James, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple married in March 2025, but reportedly separated just three months later in June — marking one of the briefest unions in the soap star’s personal history.

No children. No drama-filled statements. Just the quiet heartbreak of two people walking away from a marriage that simply couldn’t last.

 THE DETAILS: CLEAN BREAK, HEAVY HEART

According to filings in Los Angeles County:

  • Brighton is requesting that spousal support be terminated entirely.

  • Jiara is permitted to restore her former name once the divorce is finalized.

  • Both parties have agreed the marriage cannot be repaired.

It’s a clean, measured legal approach — a far cry from the fiery breakups fans see daily in Genoa City. But behind that restraint lies real emotion.

“It’s clear Brighton wants closure,” a close source told Soap Digest Online. “He’s not out to humiliate anyone. He just wants peace.”

 FANS REACT: DEVON’S CALM MASKS REAL PAIN

For Y&R fans, this divorce cuts deep — because Brighton James has become synonymous with devotion and perseverance.

On screen, Devon Winters has weathered it all — the loss of Neil, the betrayal of Amanda, the heartbreak with Abby. But in real life, Brighton’s own love story has ended just as suddenly and painfully as any Y&R plot twist.

Social media lit up within hours of the announcement:

“How can someone who plays love so perfectly keep getting hurt in real life?” one fan wrote.
“He deserves happiness, on-screen AND off,” another echoed.

 HISTORY REPEATS — BRIGHTON’S SECOND DIVORCE

This isn’t Brighton’s first brush with heartbreak.
Longtime fans remember his earlier marriage to Ashley Leisinger, officiated in 2011 by none other than Y&R co-star Christian LeBlanc.

That union ended in 2014 after three years — a quiet, dignified split handled with the same grace he’s showing now.

Two marriages. Two heartbreaks. Both handled privately, without the chaos or scandal so many in Hollywood succumb to.

 THE MAN BEHIND DEVON WINTERS

Brighton James has lived a lifetime on our screens. From Richie Crawford on Family Matters to two-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning Devon Winters, he’s grown up under the public eye.

Through every storyline — the heartbreaks, the inheritances, the love triangles — Brighton has brought soul and authenticity to daytime television.

And that’s what makes this real-life heartbreak hit so hard.

His portrayal of Devon has mirrored his own evolution — a man striving for balance between love and ambition, between pain and resilience.

“The parallels are uncanny,” notes one industry insider. “Devon loses love but never loses himself. Neither does Brighton.”

 THE PRIVATE STRUGGLE BEHIND THE SCENES

Unlike many stars, Brighton has always chosen discretion over spectacle.

No public feuds. No messy social media posts. Just quiet resilience and professionalism.

Friends close to the actor describe him as “steady, introspective, and deeply focused on his craft.” The brief marriage to Jiara, while heartfelt, reportedly buckled under the pressure of conflicting schedules, distance, and the demands of fame.

The decision to file was made weeks ago, but sources say Brighton waited until the legal process was clean before allowing the story to surface — an act of respect toward his former partner.

 A FUTURE RECLAIMED

For Brighton, this isn’t the end. It’s a reset.

The legal documents’ clarity — termination of spousal support, name restoration, no children — shows a man seeking closure, not chaos.

And fans believe this next chapter may be his most powerful yet.

“Devon always rises after the storm,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “And so does Brighton.”

As November sweeps hit The Young and the Restless, Brighton’s real life mirrors his character’s ongoing evolution — loss, reflection, and the strength to rebuild.

 BEYOND THE CAMERA

Brighton’s story reminds fans that even the most beloved stars live through very real heartbreaks behind the glamour of Genoa City.

He continues to carry himself with dignity — not hiding from the pain, but refusing to let it define him.

As Y&R prepares for another explosive season, fans are rallying behind their star.

“You’ve given us 20 years of emotional truth,” one longtime viewer posted. “Now it’s our turn to support you through yours.”

 YR Question of the Week:
Do you think Brighton’s real-life heartbreak will bring new emotional depth to Devon’s next storyline?