When you hear the name Lyzel Williams, you probably think of his famous ex-wife first. But there’s more to this story than tabloid headlines and red carpet appearances. Williams carved out his own artistic identity in Philadelphia’s creative community long before their paths crossed, working as a graphic designer and DJ in the city’s vibrant arts scene.
His influence on Scott’s music remains undeniable. The song “He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat)” from Scott’s 2000 debut album was written about Williams and was later nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 2003 Grammy Awards. Yet Williams himself has consistently chosen privacy over publicity, building a respected career while avoiding the spotlight that followed his marriage.
Who is Lyzel Williams?
Lyzel Williams is a graphic designer and web developer who gained public recognition through his marriage to Grammy-winning singer Jill Scott. He built a career in digital design, working at companies like Intermedia Interactive Solutions and Comcast Interactive Media, while maintaining a low profile despite his connection to fame.
Early Life and Education in Washington, D.C.
Lyzel Williams was born in the early 1970s in Washington, D.C., into a family that emphasized education and self-improvement. Growing up as an only child, he received considerable attention from his family, particularly his grandmother, who played a significant role in shaping his creative sensibilities.
His father was an electronics engineer, and his mother was a clothing designer, providing him with a unique blend of technical and artistic influences. This combination would later define his professional approach to graphic design and web development.
After graduating from Forestville Senior High School in 1989, where he split his focus between basketball and art, Williams pursued his creative ambitions by enrolling at The Art Institute of Philadelphia. The timing proved significant. The early 1990s marked a major shift in how design was produced and shared, and Williams learned to balance traditional artistic techniques with emerging digital platforms.
Building a Career in Graphic Design
Williams’ career began in 1993 at The Philadelphia Tribune, where he worked as a graphic designer in a fast-paced professional environment. This role provided his first taste of working under deadline pressure while maintaining creative quality.
He soon earned a senior position at Intermedia Interactive Solutions, where he worked from 1993 to 2001, focusing on digital and graphic design. His role involved creating visually appealing and user-friendly web interfaces, showcasing his ability to blend technical skills with creativity.
Since 2009, Williams has worked as a Creative Design Specialist at Comcast Interactive Media, where he has taken on leadership roles, leading projects that shaped how digital media content is presented to users. Comcast Interactive Media was created in 2005 as a division focusing on digital media, developing major websites and web features.
His work focused on creating engaging and easy-to-navigate web interfaces that improved user experience, demonstrating his skill in combining design with technology. This ability to stay ahead of digital trends helped him thrive in a constantly changing environment.
The Philadelphia Connection: Where Art Met Love
Lyzel Williams met Jill Scott in the early 1990s at a poetry reading in Philadelphia, where Scott’s captivating spoken-word performance caught his attention and sparked a connection that blossomed into love.
At the time, Scott was still developing her voice as a spoken word artist and singer, while Williams was establishing himself in graphic design and DJ work. Their connection formed naturally within the city’s tight-knit artistic circles.
They dated for about seven years before marrying in a private ceremony in 2001, surrounded by close friends and family. During these years, Williams’ musical sensibilities as a DJ complemented Scott’s artistic development. Their shared appreciation for neo-soul, hip-hop, and R&B created common creative ground.
The Song That Made Him Famous
“He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat)” appeared on Scott’s debut studio album “Who Is Jill Scott?: Words and Sounds Vol. 1,” in 2000. The song was later released as a single on November 21, 2001, in support of her live album.
The track became one of Scott’s signature songs, receiving heavy rotation on BET and VH1. It captured the joy and intimacy of their relationship at its peak, with Scott’s passionate vocals immortalizing Williams’ name in R&B history.
His influence on Scott’s early creative development remains part of her artistic story, immortalized in song but respectfully left in the past by both parties.
The Divorce: When Love Fades
Lyzel and Jill’s divorce occurred in 2007. Scott disclosed that one reason for their split involved Williams’ stopping eating the food she made. She said he was angry for other reasons, but showed his anger by leaving the food she made for him uneaten for days on the kitchen counter, which she felt was disrespectful.
The unusual revelation about cooking might seem trivial, but it highlighted deeper communication issues in their marriage. As Scott’s career soared and demanded more of her time, the couple grew apart. The stress of fame and constant public attention created additional strain on their relationship.
The marriage lasted six years and ended because they grew apart and had busy schedules. Both agreed it was the right choice and needed to find peace in their own ways.
Life After Jill Scott
After his divorce from Jill Scott in 2007, Lyzel Williams chose to keep a low profile and focus on his career in graphic design. Unlike Scott, who stayed in the public eye, Williams preferred a quiet and private life.
Williams has kept a low profile since his separation from Scott, avoiding social media platforms and public events. His decision to stay out of the spotlight has preserved his privacy and allowed him to concentrate on his professional endeavors without media scrutiny.
He lives in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, and has not remarried or shared much about his personal life since the split, showing his preference for privacy and stability over publicity.
While Scott went on to have other relationships and welcomed a son, Jett Hamilton Roberts, in 2009, Williams maintained his distance from public life. His approach to post-divorce life offers a striking contrast to many who find themselves connected to celebrity culture.
Lyzel Williams’s Legacy and Net Worth
Lyzel Williams has built a successful career in graphic design and digital media, which has earned him an estimated net worth of around $2 million. His steady work and leadership roles in well-known companies have helped him achieve financial stability and a comfortable lifestyle.
Williams played a significant part in shaping the user interface standards that influenced Comcast’s online presence. His ability to stay ahead of digital trends and think like both a designer and a consumer earned him a respected reputation within the industry.
Though not as publicly recognized for his professional achievements as for his relationship with Jill Scott, Lyzel Williams has made significant contributions to the field of graphic design.
The Man Behind the Music
Williams represents an interesting figure in music history – someone whose influence on a major artist became public knowledge, yet who chose to step back rather than capitalize on that connection.
He could have leveraged his connection to Scott for publicity or career advancement. Instead, he chose authenticity and privacy. This decision speaks volumes about his character and values.
Williams’ journey from a young boy in Washington, D.C., to a respected graphic designer and the spouse of a celebrity highlights a life led with resilience and discretion. His story is a testament to the fact that personal fulfillment and professional success are not solely defined by public recognition but by one’s contributions and integrity.
What Makes His Story Matter
In an age where everyone seems to want their fifteen minutes of fame, Williams’ choice to remain private feels almost countercultural. His approach to privacy offers a counterpoint to today’s culture of constant sharing and public exposure. While fans remain curious about his current life and work, Williams has successfully maintained boundaries between his personal life and public interest.
His life reminds us that not all success is measured by fame, but by the meaningful work one produces. Williams has built a successful career in graphic design and digital media while maintaining a private life, setting an example of how to balance personal privacy with professional success.
The creative community often includes people like Williams – talented individuals who prefer supporting roles to center stage. His work as a graphic designer contributed to Philadelphia’s artistic landscape and later to major digital platforms at Comcast, even if his name didn’t appear on marquees.
Conclusion
Lyzel Williams continues his work in digital design, living quietly in New Jersey and maintaining the same commitment to his craft that first brought him recognition in Philadelphia’s creative circles decades ago. His story serves as a reminder that behind every public figure, there can be a partner with their own important journey—one of dedication, skill, and quiet achievement.