01.Jordyn Woods’ story is one of resilience, reinvention, and finding love after life’s hardest moments. Born in Los Angeles on September 23, 1997, Woods grew up surrounded by creativity and entertainment, but her path was never as effortless as it may appear from the outside. Over the years, she has grown from a young girl navigating identity and loss into a successful model, actress, and public figure, and in 2025, she added another joyful chapter to her life with a fairytale Christmas engagement to NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns. Woods was born to John Woods, a television sound engineer, and Elizabeth Woods, a talent and brand manager. She grew up with two brothers, John Jr. and Joshua, and a sister, Jodie. Raised in Oak Park, California, Jordyn has spoken openly about feeling different at school, remembering that she was one of only two Black girls in her class. These early experiences shaped her understanding of identity and confidence from a young age.
02.Her childhood changed significantly when her parents divorced and the family moved frequently. When Jordyn was thirteen, they relocated to Calabasas, California, where she eventually chose homeschooling. Life dealt another heavy blow when her father passed away from cancer when she was just nineteen. His death deeply affected her, but his legacy remained strong. John Woods worked on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and the family shared a close bond with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, whom Jordyn has often referred to as family.
Jordyn’s modelling career began almost unexpectedly. In 2015, she was discovered on Instagram and signed with Wilhelmina Models. At a time when the fashion industry was slowly becoming more inclusive, Woods stood out for embracing her natural curves and confidence. She made her runway debut in 2016, walking for Lane Bryant and Christian Siriano, and quickly became a recognised face in fashion.
Between 2016 and 2019, Woods worked closely with Khloé Kardashian’s brand Good American, further increasing her visibility. She later walked her first New York
03.Fashion Week show in 2017 and appeared on the cover of Cosmopolitan UK in September 2019, a milestone that reflected her growing influence beyond social media. Television soon followed. Woods appeared in every episode of Life of Kylie in 2017 and made guest appearances on Keeping Up with the Kardashians. In 2020, she competed on The Masked Singer as “Kangaroo,” showing a more vulnerable and creative side of herself. That same year, she stepped into acting with a role on grown-ish, portraying a college student dealing with mental health struggles, a storyline that aimed to raise awareness about Black mental health on campus. She later appeared in BET+ films, including Sacrifice and Trigger, proving her versatility beyond modelling.
While her career continued to grow, Woods found something deeply personal in 2020, love. She began dating NBA player Karl-Anthony Towns in May of that year. Though they had known each other for years through mutual friends, their relationship grew during a difficult time, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced many people to slow down and reflect. The couple made their relationship public
04.in September 2020 and have been open about the emotional foundation of their bond.
Both Jordyn and Karl-Anthony have spoken about how they supported each other through grief, particularly following the death of Towns’ mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, in April 2020. Their connection was built on friendship first, something both of them have said makes their relationship stronger. Woods once described dating Towns as “dating your best friend,” highlighting the trust and understanding between them.
In 2025, their love story reached a joyful milestone. On Christmas Day, Karl-Anthony Towns proposed to Jordyn Woods at a rooftop venue overlooking the New York City skyline. The New York Knicks star got down on one knee and presented her with a stunning emerald-cut diamond ring. The couple shared the moment on Instagram with the caption “Marry Christmas,” instantly capturing the hearts of fans worldwide. Friends, fellow athletes, and celebrities flooded the comments with congratulations.
The engagement came during an important phase in Towns’ career. After being drafted
05.first overall in 2015 and spending nine seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he was traded to the New York Knicks before the 2024–25 season. He quickly made an impact, helping lead the team to their first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years. Despite the pressures of professional sports, Towns made time to celebrate love, making the proposal even more meaningful.
From a young girl navigating loss and self-discovery to a woman building her own legacy, Jordyn Woods’ journey is one of quiet strength. Her Christmas engagement in 2025 was not just a celebrity headline, but a reminder that growth, love, and happiness can follow even the hardest chapters.
