Balancing Stardom with Fatherhood
While Justin Hartley commands attention on red carpets and television screens, those closest to him say his most important role is one that never goes to camera—being a father. His relationship with his daughter, Isabella, is one he protects fiercely and cherishes deeply.
“I’m not raising a fan,” Hartley once said. “I’m raising a human being. And I want her to know who I really am—not the version people see on TV.”
A Private Relationship Built on Trust
Hartley’s daughter, whom he shares with ex-wife Lindsay Korman, has largely stayed out of the spotlight. That choice has been deliberate. Hartley rarely posts about her on social media, avoids red carpet appearances with her, and refrains from discussing her in interviews beyond affirmations of love and pride.
“It’s not my story to tell,” he explained. “She deserves her own narrative—one that’s not filtered through mine.”
Despite his fame, Hartley has managed to give Isabella a life of relative normalcy, where their bond remains rooted in things like shared meals, school plays, late-night conversations, and mutual respect.
Navigating Divorce and Co-Parenting
Hartley has been through highly publicized breakups, most notably his divorce from Chrishell Stause. But even during these turbulent times, he’s insisted that fatherhood remain a constant.
Friends close to him describe a man who organizes work schedules around his daughter’s school calendar, attends every major milestone, and stays connected even during long filming stretches.
“He never misses the important stuff,” one friend said. “Even if it means taking red-eyes or Zooming from trailers.”
A Teaching Relationship
Hartley’s approach to parenting is rooted in honest communication. He’s spoken about wanting to raise a daughter who is emotionally literate, socially aware, and unafraid to stand up for herself.
“I want her to be curious, kind, and brave,” he said. “And to know that her worth isn’t based on anyone else’s opinion.”
Fatherhood Influencing His Career Choices
Many of Hartley’s recent roles—including in The Noel Diary and This Is Us—center around fatherhood, estranged families, or emotional reconnection. He has admitted that his personal experience as a father informs how he approaches these parts.
“When I play a dad on screen, I don’t imagine a script. I imagine my daughter. That’s where the emotion comes from.”
For Justin Hartley, fatherhood isn’t a subplot—it’s the main storyline of his real life.
