Jaimee Foxworth was just ten years old when she captured America’s heart as Judy Winslow, the youngest daughter in the Winslow family on Family Matters. But in a plot twist that would rival any TV drama, Judy mysteriously disappeared after the show’s fourth season — never to be mentioned again. No explanation was ever offered, either in-universe or to the viewing public. And as the sitcom soared in popularity, Jaimee Foxworth faded from the spotlight.
What happened to Jaimee after Family Matters ended? The story is far more complicated — and compelling — than many know. From being a young star to struggling with depression, addiction, adult films, and then motherhood and healing, her life is one of heartbreak, reinvention, and ultimately, hope.
Early Stardom and the Rise of Family Matters
Jaimee Foxworth was born on December 17, 1979, in Belleville, Illinois. A natural performer from a young age, she started modeling as a toddler and quickly transitioned into acting. When Family Matters began airing in 1989 as a spin-off from Perfect Strangers, Jaimee was cast as Judy Winslow, the youngest member of the Winslow household.
Initially, her role was significant, especially during the early seasons, when family dynamics were the core of the show. But everything began to change when Jaleel White’s Steve Urkel — originally a one-off character — became a cultural sensation. As Urkel’s popularity soared, producers began focusing storylines around him, pushing other characters to the sidelines.
Eventually, Judy Winslow vanished without explanation. There was no farewell episode. No off-to-college arc. Not even a throwaway line. Just gone. At the time, Jaimee was only 13 years old.
The Infamous Disappearance: “Where’s Judy?”
For years, fans speculated about Judy’s disappearance. Rumors circulated: was it a creative decision? Budget cuts? Racial bias? Some insiders pointed to financial reasons. As Foxworth entered her teens, her salary was expected to increase, and producers allegedly chose to cut her instead of renegotiating her contract.
Whatever the reason, it was handled poorly — and left a lasting impact on Foxworth.
In interviews years later, she said being fired felt like being “erased.” Watching the show continue its success without her was painful. “I just didn’t exist anymore,” she told Oprah Winfrey in a now-famous episode of Oprah: Where Are They Now?
The Fallout: Depression and Financial Ruin
After her exit from Family Matters, Foxworth’s life began spiraling. The loss of her job came with another shocking blow: her trust fund, reportedly worth over $500,000, had been depleted by her parents to support the family. Left with no money, no job, and no formal education beyond high school, Jaimee struggled to find direction.
She fell into a deep depression and began self-medicating with alcohol and drugs. In interviews, she described feeling invisible — not just to Hollywood, but to the world. Auditions dried up, and producers remembered her only as the “forgotten Winslow.”
Hollywood wasn’t forgiving, especially to young Black actresses. While some child stars bounce back or pivot to other careers, Foxworth faced a toxic combination of lost fame, financial instability, and untreated trauma. Her mental health deteriorated.
The Descent into Adult Entertainment
By the early 2000s, Jaimee made a decision that would redefine her public image again — but not in the way she hoped. Under the stage name “Crave,” she entered the adult film industry. The decision wasn’t taken lightly. According to Foxworth, she was broke, emotionally numb, and desperate for stability.
She starred in several adult films and posed for magazines, hoping to regain a sense of power and control over her life. But instead, the backlash was swift and brutal.
Foxworth faced severe public scrutiny. Former fans were outraged. TV executives blacklisted her. The stigma of her adult film work made it nearly impossible to return to mainstream acting.
In hindsight, Foxworth has said she regrets the decision — not out of shame, but because it wasn’t empowering. “I was running away from the pain. That wasn’t healing. That was masking,” she told People magazine.
A New Beginning: Motherhood and Recovery
Everything began to change for Jaimee in 2009 when she gave birth to her son, Michael Douglas Shaw Jr., with her longtime partner Michael Shaw. The experience of becoming a mother forced her to reevaluate her choices and prioritize her well-being.
“It saved me,” she later said. “I realized I didn’t want my son to grow up with the same pain that I was carrying.”
Foxworth entered rehab for substance abuse and sought therapy for depression. She cut ties with the adult industry and began a quiet life, far from the spotlight she once craved. Though it wasn’t easy, motherhood became her anchor. She focused on giving her son the love and stability she never had.
Today, Jaimee maintains a close bond with her child and speaks openly about the importance of mental health, especially for Black women and former child actors.
Facing the Media: Revisiting the Past
Foxworth reemerged in the 2010s, appearing on several talk shows and documentaries focused on child stars and the dark side of fame. She’s appeared on The Dr. Drew Show, Oprah: Where Are They Now?, and Life After, where she candidly discussed her struggles with addiction, depression, and regret.
These appearances revealed a woman who was no longer interested in being a victim of circumstance. “I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve grown,” she said. “If my story can help another person from going down the same path, then it was worth telling.”
Her honesty resonated with many, especially those who had followed her career since childhood. Fans flooded her social media with messages of support, and a grassroots movement began to appreciate her strength in overcoming hardship.
The Public’s Changing Perception
In the age of cancel culture and redemption arcs, public perception has become more nuanced. What once might have permanently ruined a career — such as Jaimee’s adult film work — is now met with more compassion, especially when framed within the context of survival and trauma.
Foxworth has benefitted from this cultural shift. While she hasn’t returned to Hollywood, she has gained a second wind of public support. She frequently shares inspirational messages on social media, and in 2020, she hinted at writing a memoir.
Fans have suggested that Family Matters owes her an apology — or at the very least, a reunion that acknowledges Judy’s absence. While there are no plans for an official revival, her story is now frequently cited in discussions of how poorly Hollywood treats young Black actresses and the long-term consequences of those decisions.
Legacy and Lessons
Jaimee Foxworth’s life is not a cautionary tale — it’s a story of survival. While she endured public erasure, addiction, exploitation, and financial ruin, she also found love, recovery, and purpose.
Today, she is an advocate for mental health, parental oversight in child stardom, and the right to evolve beyond your past. In a culture that often refuses to let people grow, she’s made it her mission to change the narrative.
She may never play Judy Winslow again, but that role is only a tiny piece of the woman she has become.
Conclusion
Jaimee Foxworth was erased from Family Matters, but she’s now reclaiming her identity — one that isn’t defined by fame, failure, or scandal. Her story is one of loss and pain, but also of perseverance and redemption.
In a world that often discards its child stars once they’re no longer cute or profitable, Jaimee is a reminder that people can rise again, even after falling harder than most.
She is, in every way that matters, still standing.
