Daniel "DJ" Meade, Jr. is a recurring character in the third season of Ugly Betty. He is portrayed by Julian De La Celle.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Daniel "DJ" Meade, Jr., is the son of Lucie Chainet, who raised him in France far from the Meade family. His existence was revealed in the final episode of Season 2. By the beginning of Season 3, DJ is thirteen years old.
Ten years before the beginning of the series, Daniel Meade had a relationship with a French hand model named Lucie Chainet during a MODE work trip to France. She became pregnant, but she never contacted Daniel to let him know about the child or that the child was his. When she dies, a letter she had written finally names Daniel the father of her son, whom she named after him.
Season 2[]
On a school field trip to New York City, DJ wanders away from the group visit to MODE magazine offices, where he meets Daniel. With the help of a translator, DJ tells Daniel his story: that he is at Meade Publications to look for his biological father, whom he never knew. He reveals that Daniel is his father. The shocking news creates a scandal at the office when the discovery is leaked to the media. Daniel initially denies he is the boy's father and demands a paternity test, believing the scandal to be a plot by his nemesis, Wilhelmina Slater. After reading Lucie's letter, however, Daniel is convinced of the truth that he has met his illegitimate son.
Season 3[]
A month later, DJ and Daniel have been spending time together. DJ understands more English, although he speaks very little, while Daniel tries to learn French as well. They learn to understand each another and work to communicate with each other, even as they struggle to adjust to a new dynamic of father and son. DJ frequently hangs out at Player magazine offices with Daniel, pulling pranks on the staff, especially Betty.
DJ's French grandparents file to have custody of their grandchild returned to them following the death of his mother. Daniel is upset about this, as he originally had gotten along with DJ's grandparents and was hurt that they changed their mind. He asks DJ what he wants, and DJ says he wants to stay with his father.
Eventually, DJ's true paternity is revealed: he is not the result of Daniel and Lucie's relationship, but of Lucie and Alexis Meade's affair before Alexis had transitioned (Alexis had gone on the same work trip to France as Daniel when they both met Lucie). When the Meade family discovers the truth, Alexis decides to relinquish her parental rights and Daniel continues to fight for custody of DJ, who is not told the truth about his paternity.
However, when Alexis released her rights, the French courts awarded DJ's grandparents are temporary custody, changing the nature of their case. They arrive in New York to bring their grandchild home. Daniel desperately tries to keep DJ in the country by hiding him with his unknowing assistant, Betty Suarez (who does not know Daniel is not DJ's biological father). Betty, her ex-boyfriend Gio Rossi, and DJ spend the day at Coney Island, where Daniel eventually arrives to take DJ to the airport and leave with him for a country that does not have an extradition treaty with the United States. When Betty is shocked by Daniel's outlandish plan, he finally confesses that he is not DJ's biological father. DJ overhears this and runs away. While Daniel and Betty search for him on the boardwalk, Daniel tells Betty the truth about Alexis being DJ's biological parent and how afraid he is to lose DJ. Betty tells Daniel that he needs to think about what's best for DJ. Eventually, Daniel finds DJ and promises that he will never truly leave him, and that if he can't be his father, maybe he can be his "really cool American uncle."
Meanwhile, the charges against Alexis are dropped, and she decides to leave for France. Daniel suggests that she connect with DJ, who has already returned to France with his grandparents. Alexis is happy to have Daniel's support and decides she will try to get to know her son now, too.