Jennifer Wayne is an American country singer, songwriter, guitarist, and television personality. She is best known as a founding member of the country music trio Runaway June. She is also the granddaughter of legendary Hollywood actor John Wayne. However, Jennifer Wayne has built her own career through songwriting, live performances, and reality television. Her journey combines athletic ambition, musical persistence, and a strong commitment to family.
| Net Worth: | – |
|---|---|
| Real Name: | Jennifer Anne Moody |
| Birth Date: | April 1, 1982 |
| Age (as of 2026): | 44 Years |
| Birth Place: | Orange, California, USA |
| Height: | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Parents: | Aissa Wayne and Earl Lawrence Kuhle II |
| Boyfriend | Austin Moody |
Early Life
Jennifer Wayne was born on 1st April, 1982, in Orange, California. She is 44 years old as of October 2026. She grew up in California and developed an interest in sports well before entering the music industry. Wayne pursued tennis competitively through college and later explored professional opportunities. She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she played collegiate tennis for the Gauchos. Her years in sports taught her discipline, determination, and resilience, qualities she later applied to songwriting and performance.
Although her family name connected her to Hollywood history, Jennifer Wayne wanted to create an identity through her own achievements. She eventually moved toward music, discovering that songwriting offered a more meaningful creative direction. She relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue country music and establish herself as an independent artist.
Family
Jennifer Wayne is the daughter of Aissa Wayne and Earl Lawrence Kuhle II. Her mother is the daughter of John Wayne and his third wife, actress Pilar Pallete. This connection makes Jennifer the granddaughter of one of American cinema’s most recognizable Western stars.
She grew up with a younger brother, Nicholas Kuhle, and also has a half-sister, Anastasia. Her extended family includes several relatives connected to entertainment, including her uncles Patrick and Ethan Wayne. Despite this famous heritage, Jennifer has often spoken about the challenge of developing a career beyond her grandfather’s reputation.
Wayne has described her family’s Western roots as an influence on her love of country music. She has also expressed admiration for John Wayne’s determination and work ethic. Although he died before her birth, his legacy remains a meaningful part of her public identity.
Career
Jennifer Wayne began her music career with Stealing Angels, a country trio she joined in the late 2000s. The group included Caroline Cutbirth and Tayla Lynn, granddaughter of country legend Loretta Lynn. Their musical partnership gave Wayne experience in songwriting, vocal harmonies, recording, and touring. Stealing Angels released music during the early 2010s before the group eventually disbanded.
Jennifer Wayne also appeared on the reality competition series The Amazing Race with Cutbirth. The pair competed in season 22, finishing fourth, before returning for the all-star season. They finished second, narrowly missing victory by only four seconds. The experience brought her broader television exposure and introduced her personality to audiences outside country music.
In 2015, Jennifer Wayne co-founded Runaway June in Nashville. The original lineup included Naomi Cooke and Hannah Mulholland. The group developed a sound built around three-part harmonies, acoustic guitars, fiddle, and mandolin. Their early releases attracted attention from country radio and music industry professionals.
Runaway June released its breakthrough single, “Buy My Own Drinks,” in 2018. The song became a Top 5 country radio hit and later earned Gold certification. The group received nominations from the Academy of Country Music Awards and the CMT Music Awards. Its debut album, Blue Roses, arrived in June 2019.
The trio also toured with prominent country performers, including Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan. These opportunities strengthened its reputation as a live act. Over time, lineup changes brought Natalie Stovall and later Stevie Woodward into the group. Wayne remained a founding member and continued contributing vocals, guitar, and songwriting.
Outside the band, Wayne co-wrote Eric Paslay’s song “She Don’t Love You,” which became a Top 20 country hit. Her songwriting credits also include work for artists such as Marie Osmond, RaeLynn, Brittney Spencer, and The Shires. In November 2022, Concord Music Publishing signed her to a worldwide publishing agreement covering future work.
Runaway June released its second full-length album, New Kind of Emotion, on September 19, 2025. Wayne and her bandmates co-wrote 11 of its 13 tracks. In July 2025, the group also released an intimate demo version titled “New Kind of Emotion (Lily’s Song),” inspired by Wayne’s daughter. The group’s music and performances remained active into 2026.
Wayne has also pursued acting. She played Amy in the 2014 Christian drama Like a Country Song, which starred Billy Ray Cyrus. Her professional work continues to span music, songwriting, television, and entertainment appearances.
Personal Life
Jennifer Wayne married singer-songwriter Austin Moody on January 9, 2021, in a beach ceremony in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. The couple welcomed their daughter, Lily Maria Moody, on April 18, 2022. Their wedding incorporated Western traditions, reflecting their shared appreciation for country culture.
In a 2024 podcast appearance, Wayne discussed navigating life as a single mother following her divorce. Public reporting has not reliably established the current details of her romantic life. She continues to balance motherhood with recording, touring, and songwriting.
Wayne’s interests include tennis, country music, songwriting, and travel. Her athletic background remains part of her story, while her connection to Western culture influences her public style and musical identity.
Social Media Presence
Wayne uses Instagram under the publicly known username @jenniferwayne to share music updates, family moments, and behind-the-scenes content. Runaway June also maintains official Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, and YouTube accounts. A reliable current follower count for Wayne’s personal accounts could not be confirmed. Her social media activity primarily highlights her music, band performances, and experiences as a mother.
Jennifer Wayne Net Worth
Jennifer Wayne’s exact net worth has not been verified by reliable financial publications or official disclosures. Her income sources include music royalties, songwriting credits, live performances, recording projects, and publishing agreements. Her work with Runaway June provides income opportunities through music sales, streaming, touring, and merchandise. Songwriting agreements can also generate royalties when other artists record her compositions. However, her salary, personal investments, property holdings, and total assets remain private.
