Donovan Mitchell Ex Girlfriend: Life & Relationships

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Deja Lighty is known as Donovan Mitchell ex-girlfriend and is involved with an elite model management chain Caroline Gleason Management based in Florida.

In the past, Deja Lighty was known for being Donavan’s girlfriend and as the account executive for the NBA team Cleveland Cavaliers.

The former couple began dating in 2017 and broke up in 2019. The reason for their breakup is still unknown.

Deja Lighty in White Outfit Posing For Camera
Deja Lighty In White Outfit Posing For Camera (Source: BlackSportsOnline)

This article further covers the early life, net worth, personal life, and career of Donovan Mitchell’s ex-girlfriend.

But first, let us take a quick look at the basic facts of her life.

Quick Facts

Full Name Deja Lighty
Date Of Birth December 12, 1995
Birthplace New Jersey, United States
Religion Christianity
Sexual Orientation Straight
Father Name Chris Lighty
Mother Name  Veronica Lighty
Gender Female
Age 28 Years Old
Profession Model
Famous For  Donovan Mitchell’s Former Girlfriend 
Nationality American
School Montclair Kimberly Academy, Temple University 
Height 5’8″/1.72 m/172 cm
Weight 59 kg/130 lb.
Eye Color Brown
Hair Color Brown 
Body Type Slim
Favorite Sports Basketball
Relationship Status Not Available
Children None
Siblings 1 Younger Brother & 4 Step Siblings
Zodiac Sign  Sagittarius 
Net Worth Estimated $250K
Social Media Instagram
Last Update November 2024

Early Life, Family & Education 

Deja Lighty was born in New Jersey on December 12, 1995, to Chris Lighty and Veronica Lighty.

Her father, Chris Lighty, was a well-known American music industry executive and a prominent hip-hop music manager for artists such as 50 Cent, LL Cool J, etc.

Unfortunately, Chris was found dead on the patio of his Bronx apartment from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head on August 30, 2012.

Deja was just a teenager when this happened, and while grieving her father’s loss, the media made it worse by surrounding the house to cover the news giving the family members a hard time.

Deja Lighty's Dad & Mom
Deja Lighty’s Dad & Mom (nydailynews.com)

Nevertheless, she moved on from the heart-wrecking incident and is now a strong independent woman.

Lighty also has an older sister Tiffany Lighty who she looks up to.

Deja attended Montclair Kimberly Academy in Northern New Jersey. She went to private school her entire life.

She later enrolled at Temple University, where her major was sports management. Deja was also in a cheerleading squad at Temple.

Age, Height & Weight

Deja Lighty is currently 28 years old.

She stands 5 feet 8 inches/1.72 m tall and has a thin build with a body weight of around 59 kg or 130 lb.

Career

Deja Lighty initially worked as a recruitment ambassador for the football team at Temple University, and around that same time, she was an intern at Roc Nation in 2017.

Similarly, she was a public relations manager for Temple University’s Love Your Melon, the Apparel brand run by college students.

She later worked as an account executive for the NBA team Cleveland Cavaliers, which she eventually quit.

Deja Lighty On Instagram post
Deja Lighty On Instagram Post (Source: Instagram.com)

After quitting her job as an account executive for the Cavaliers, she worked as a celebrity personal assistant in the Marauders organization.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Deja last worked as a social media manager at Game Seven Agency.

Relationships

NBA player Donovan Mitchell and Deja Lighty started dating in 2017 and broke up two years later, in the fall of 2019.

While the reason for their breakup is still unknown, there were some early signs when the couple started deleting pictures of each other from social media.

Before their split, the couple was in a long-distance relationship. They often posted lovely pictures of each other on Instagram.

How Did They First Start Dating?

Donovan Mitchell attended the University of Louisville, and Deja attended Temple University. Both universities are situated far apart from each other.

Nonetheless, love has an unusual way of bringing people together.

Lighty got to know Mitchell through her work in the NBA, and soon after, the couple began going out together.

In 2018, Lighty and Mitchell went together on All-Star weekend, where Mitchell was exhibited in the Rising Star Challenge.

Lighty supported him during the event and even voted for him on social media to win the MVP.

The young couple had a strong bond, but the distance between them seemed to be the problem.

In late 2019, the couple suddenly deleted each other’s pictures from their social media. And eventually, they parted ways for good.

Reportedly, Donovan has been dating entrepreneur Tinara Westbrook since September 2022.

Tinara is originally from Sunrise Beach, Missouri, and was named one of the “20 Most Eligible Atlantans of 2022” by Jezebel magazine.

She expresses support for her boyfriend by posting several pictures from the NBA arenas she’s been to.

About Donovan Mitchell

Donovan Mitchell is a shooting guard for Cleveland Cavilers born in Elmsford, New York, to Donovan Sr. Mitchell and Nicole Mitchell. His father is a former MLB player.

Mitchell attended Brewster Academy after finishing his sophomore year at Canterbury School.

Interestingly, the NBA player also participated in musicals while making basketball his prime focus.

After graduating from the University of Louisville, Mitchell got drafted by the Denver Nuggets 13th overall in 2017. Later, he was traded to the Utah Jazz for the 24th pick.

In 2022, he was traded to the Cavaliers for Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, and Ochai Agbaji, with first three-round picks, and two pick swaps.

On January 2, 2023, Mitchell scored his NBA season-high record in a 145–134 overtime win over the Chicago Bulls with 71 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists.

With this, Mitchell set a Cavs record for the most points by an NBA player in 17 years.

Talking about his personal life, no news on his relationship has swirled in the media after the breakup with Deja Lighty.

Viral Poster Dunk

Donovan Mitchell’s dunk was viral during the win of the Cavs (115-109) against the Nets.

With about 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Seth Curry, Brooklyn’s sharpshooter, flipped the ball to Yuta, but Cav’s Caris LeVert intercepted the pass and lofted the ball to Mitchell.

Mitchell saw Watanabe retreating and went for the kill shot. It was one of the Top 10 on SportsCenter. His teammates couldn’t stop raving about it.

Mitchell said. “Everybody’s reaction in the timeout was like, ‘That’s your best one.’ It’s up there. I don’t know if it’s my best, but it’s definitely up there.”

Net Worth

Donovan Mitchell’s ex-girlfriend Deja Lighty’s net worth is estimated at $250k as of 2024.

However, her father Chris’s net worth was $30 million at the time of his passing, and if she were to inherit her father’s fortune, she would easily be worth $15 million considering her sibling’s cut.

Coming from a well-to-do family, Deja did not have to face the horrible scarce situation.

And the model seems to have done quite well for herself, which supports her expensive and luxurious lifestyle.

Favorite Things & Idols

Well, who doesn’t love hitting up pop songs on a karaoke night? Deja Lighty’s go-to karaoke song is “Beauty And A Beat” by Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj.

The model shared in an interview with the New York Fashion Times that her sister Tiffany Lighty is her idol.

Her inspiration, besides her mother and sister, is popstar Rihanna. She, too, wants to be unapologetically herself, more creative, and more giving, just like her idol.

Deja lighty in baggy clothes
Deja Lighty In Baggy Clothes (Source: Instagram.com)

When it comes to clothing, Lighty’s all about comfort. She loves baggy outfits like a sweatsuit combo or boyfriend jeans that allow her to move freely.

One of Deja’s hobbies is running up different Instagram. Like the one she created for her French dog, Pablo.

Moreover, Deja loves her best friend, Taylor Webster, and the company of her friends, Jordan Wood and Amir Bryant.

Description Of A Perfect Day

According to her blog, her perfect day would be waking up to beautiful scenery with a kettle of green tea.

She would love some excitement, like going on an adventure. It can be something like riding an ATV or jet skiing.

But it is not only about rushing; her perfect day also involves a simple beach picnic with music playing.

Her list adds to some bonfires and lots of desserts. She would end the day by catching the sunset and playing The Office on a projector. Well, who wouldn’t love that?

Overcoming Trauma

The model claims that 2012 was the scariest time of her life. It is not easy for anyone to lose their loved ones young.

Lighty lost the two most important people in her life that year. Her father, Chris Lighty, and her best friend, Indigo Brooks.

She was traumatized because of the two life-altering turns of events.

She did not feel safe around school and home, and her growing anxiety made it worse for her to cope with the situation.

However, Deja finally decided to regain her power and learned to face her anxiety and trauma.

Lighty inspires anyone who has lost someone important to them and lost themselves in grief. The young lady keeps thriving and standing through it all.

Social Media

Donovan Mitchell’s ex-girlfriend, Deja Lighty, has a verified Instagram with over 32.2k followers. Her Instagram profile is filled with modeling and vacation pictures.

She also uses LinkedIn to update her job and internship experiences as a professional. She has over 500 connections on the platform.

Search Graph

Apart from being Donovan’s ex-girlfriend, Deja is a professional model.

Deja Lighty's Serach Graph
Deja Lighty’s Search Graph (Source: Google Trend)

Deja’s graph illustrates the search rate for the past 12 months.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Is Deja Lighty single at the moment?

She hasn't been dating anyone since her breakup with Donovan Mitchell.

Is Deja Lighty of mixed race?

Sources have claimed that Deja is of mixed race, but no specific information is provided about the race she belongs to.

Does Deja Lighty have any other pets?

No, as of now, Deja only has a black French dog named Pablo.

Sanjib Sah
Sanjib Sah
Sanjib Sah is an engineer and content writer passionate about sports and athletics. With a background in engineering and a love for all things active, Sanjib brings a unique perspective to the world of sports writing. Whether he is covering the latest trends in sports technology or sharing tips on improving your game, Sanjib's words are always rooted in a deep appreciation for players' hard work and dedication everywhere. In his free time, you can find him hitting the courts or hitting the trails, always looking for new ways to challenge himself and improve his skills.

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