Alexis DeJoria is a professional drag racer, and one of the most popular female drag racers in America. She has won several championships and created new records; simply put, this lady is the real-life fast and furious. Born on the 24th of September 1977 in Venice Beach, California, she fell in love with drag racing when she was 16; this was after a friend took her to the Pomona Drag Strip in California.
Alexis became passionate about the sport and desired to make a career out of it. To fulfill her ambitions, she left her hometown of Venice Beach and moved to Gainesville, Florida, where she attended Frank Howley’s Drag School. Whilst starting in the world of professional drag racing, DeJoria kept her famous name out of the mix. This was due to her desire to succeed on her own and prove herself as a competent driver.
Alexis DeJoria Made Her NHRA Debut in 2005
Alexis DeJoria commenced her professional NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) career in 2005 and has since established herself as one of the best female drag racers ever. She has participated in different categories of the sport such as Super Gas, Super Comp, and Top Alcohol/Funny Car, recording no fewer than five wins, including the Sportsman Nationals in Fontana, California in 2005, and the TA/FC national event at the 2011 Northwest Fall Nationals.
The California native also recorded a career-best time of 4.032 seconds in Reading in 2012. However, this glory has not come without its costs. Alexis DeJoria once crashed her car while racing in Englishtown, New Jersey, in 2009. She lost her brakes, and her car left the track and later landed on its roof.
She Retired In 2017, But Here’s Why She Returned to Racing
The drag racer was on top of her game when she decided that she had had enough of it. Her career had been so fulfilling; it was thought she wanted to take a bow when the ovation is loudest. For instance, she was reputed as the first woman to compete in 100 Funny Car events just as she was the first female Funny Car driver to break the four-second barrier.
Acknowledging that she had accomplished great things in her NHRA career, DeJoria announced her retirement from motorsport when the 2017 season rounded up. Adding that it was a difficult decision to make and that she would miss it all, the racer related that she was leaving to focus more on her family life.
Nonetheless, the retirement would only last for two years as Alexis DeJoria announced her return in late 2019, revealing her intent to compete in the entire schedule for 2020. She offered that she wanted to become the first woman to win a Funny Car championship, but there is more to why she returned.
According to the drag racer, she knew when she announced her retirement in 2017 that it was an open-ended retirement. Alexis, who was excited about her return, said she had been blessed spending time with her family while she was away and that they are in support of her decision to return to racing. But then, it emerged that she was getting a divorce, and people held on to the end of her marriage as the prime reason behind her return.
Her Marriage to Jesse James Lasted for 7 Years
Alexis DeJoria was married to Jesse James, who is renowned for his expertise in building customized motorcycles and automobiles. Jesse was the CEO of West Coast Choppers, and his mad skills made him the toast of reality TV. He has appeared in TV shows such as Sons of Guns and Celebrity Apprentice. He has also hosted his shows, including Monster Garage and Jesse James is a Dead Man.
DeJoria and James commenced their relationship in September 2012. They did not waste any time in getting hitched as they tied the knot on the 25th of March 2013. The beautiful ceremony took place at the bride’s family estate in Malibu, California.
On her big day, the drag racer wore a traditional white wedding gown with a black floral design. The gown was strapless and showcased the beautiful tattoos on her arms. Her husband, on the other hand, wore a black suit, white shirt, and a fitting black tie. The ceremony was witnessed by their closest family and friends.
DeJoria and James do not have any kids together. However, she has a daughter named Bella (b. 2003) from a previous relationship. James also has three children from his previous marriages: a son named Eli and two daughters named Chandler and Sunny. The former couple’s family life revolved around the four kids until they divorced.
Jesse Allegedly Cheated on Alexis With About 20 Women
When Jesse disclosed that his marriage to Alexis has packed up, he admitted that they had spent amazing years together, and explained that they are parting ways because their lives had headed in different directions. Jesse said he had been striving to be a good father for DeJoria’s daughter and that not being able to do so would leave a huge hole in his heart.
With that, he implored that people respect their privacy, a request that has since been ignored. Various reports have it that infidelity is the reason behind their divorce. It has been claimed that Jesse James cheated on Alexis DeJoria with at least 20 women. As reported, he begged for sex on social sites and sneaked women into their home in Austin, Texas, when DeJoria is away.
Alexis DeJoria Comes from a Broken Family
Alexis DeJoria hails from a large family. Her father’s name is John Paul DeJoria while her mother’s name is Jamie Briggs. Her parents divorced when she was a teen, and her dad subsequently remarried a lady named Eloise Broady.
This second marriage produced four half-brothers and one half-sister named John Anthony, Michael, Justin, John Paul II, and Michaelline. The drag racer also has a half-sister named Chloe Briggs from her mother’s second marriage.
Her Father John Paul DeJoria Is a Billionaire
DeJoria’s dad, John Paul DeJoria, has an inspiring life story. He was born into a poor family in Los Angeles in 1944. He began supporting himself when he was nine and was eventually sent into foster care because his mom couldn’t take care of him. The senior DeJoria spent two years in the Navy before becoming a door-to-door salesman. He later teamed up with a hairdresser known as Paul Mitchell, and together, they set up John Paul Mitchell Systems in 1980.
Initially, they manufactured shampoo, which they sold door to door. From these humble beginnings, the company has grown into an empire worth $1 billion. They not only manufacture hair care products and styling tools but also run the largest chain of cosmetology and hairstyling schools in the world. John Paul DeJoria has also diversified his investments into tequila and energy and has a net worth of $2.7 billion.
