Jillian Lauren Biography: Age, Real Name, Career, Education, Parents, Height, Son, Children, Husband, Nationality, Net Worth, Arrest

Jillian Lauren was born on August 16, 1973, in Livingston, New Jersey. She is an American writer, performer, and adoption advocate. She is best known for writing honest and powerful stories about her life.

Jillian Lauren became widely known after writing her first memoir, Some Girls: My Life in a Harem, which tells the story of her time in the harem of Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei. This book became a New York Times bestseller and has been translated into many languages. Jillian Lauren later wrote Everything You Ever Wanted and Pretty, also published by Plume/Penguin. In 2023, she released Behold the Monster, a true crime book based on her interviews with serial killer Samuel Little.

Jillian Lauren studied creative writing and earned an MFA from Antioch University. Her writing has appeared in major magazines and newspapers like The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Elle, The Paris Review, and more. Jillian Lauren also a regular storyteller with The Moth and has performed her work on stage all over the United States. In 2014, she gave a TEDx talk on adoption and identity.

Before becoming a full-time writer, Jillian Lauren briefly studied acting at New York University and worked in theater in New York City. She also performed with the Velvet Hammer Burlesque group.

Jillian Lauren is married to Scott Shriner, the bassist for the band Weezer. The couple has two adopted sons and lives in Los Angeles. Their first son, Tariku, was adopted from Ethiopia in 2009.

In April 2025, Jillian Lauren was involved in a police incident at her home in Los Angeles. She was hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries and later charged with attempted murder.

Despite the ups and downs in her life, Jillian Lauren is known for her fearless storytelling, advocacy for adoption, and strong voice in both writing and performance.

Parents

There is not much public information available about Jillian Lauren parents. She was raised in Livingston, New Jersey, where she grew up in a suburban family.

Height

Jillian Lauren height is not officially listed, but based on photos and videos, she appears to be around 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall.

Siblings

Jillian Lauren has not publicly spoken much about having siblings, so it is unclear whether she has any brothers or sisters.

Children/Son

Jillian Lauren and her husband, Scott Shriner, have two adopted sons. Their first son, Tariku, was adopted from Ethiopia in 2009. Their other son’s name is Jovanni. Jillian Lauren often talks about her journey with adoption and motherhood in her writing and interviews.

Tattoos

Jillian Lauren has several tattoos, each with deep personal meaning. One of her tattoos shows two koi fish with their tails wrapped together, inspired by the Greek myth of Aphrodite and her son Eros. Jillian Lauren says her tattoos help tell the story of her life.

Nationality

Jillian Lauren is American.

Ethnicity

Jillian Lauren is white/Caucasian, though she has not shared detailed information about her ethnic background.

Books

Jillian Lauren has written several books:

• Some Girls: My Life in a Harem (memoir)
• Everything You Ever Wanted (memoir)
• Pretty (fiction)
• Behold the Monster (true crime)

Her books often focus on personal experiences, identity, motherhood, and justice.

Controversy

In April 2025, Jillian Lauren was involved in a serious incident with the police. Reports say she came out of her house with a gun during a police chase in her neighborhood. Police say she pointed the weapon at them and was then shot. Jillian Lauren survived and was taken to the hospital. Later, she was charged with attempted murder. The case is still being followed by the media.

FAQs 

1. What is Jillian Lauren real name?

- Jillian Lauren full name is Jillian Lauren Dreskin.

2. How old is Jillian Lauren?

- Jillian Lauren was born on August 16, 1973, so she is 51 years old as of 2025.

3. What is Jillian Lauren known for?

- Jillian Lauren is known as a writer, performer, adoption advocate, and former member of a royal harem, which she wrote about in her memoir Some Girls: My Life in a Harem. She’s also known for her work in true crime, especially Behold the Monster.

4. Where did Jillian Lauren go to school?

- Jillian Lauren graduated from Newark Academy, briefly studied acting at NYU, and earned a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing from Antioch University.

5. Who are Jillian Lauren parents?

- Jillian Lauren has not shared much information publicly about her parents, so their names and details are unknown.

6. How tall is Jillian Lauren?

- Jillian Lauren exact height is not publicly available, but she appears to be about 5 feet 5 inches (or 165 cm).

7. How many children does Jillian Lauren have?

- Jillian Lauren has two adopted sons, including Tariku, who was adopted from Ethiopia in 2009, and Jovanni.

8. Who is Jillian Lauren husband?

- Jillian Lauren is married to Scott Shriner, the bassist of the rock band Weezer. They’ve been married since 2005.

9. What is Jillian Lauren nationality?

- Jillian Lauren is American.

10. What is Jillian Lauren estimated net worth?

- Jillian Lauren net worth is not officially confirmed, but based on her bestselling books, public speaking, and media work, it is estimated to be around $1 to $3 million.