C.J. Payne (2024)

C.J. is the father of his 2 children Malik & Jazmine Payne and is the husband of Janine Payne. He works with his uncle Curtis and his cousin Calvin as a Firefighter to save people and get the smoke away and there for an emergency. Later on he found out that somebody robbed his family so he went to the crack house & and found his ex -wife Janine on drugs so that's the only time he seen her but then she went to rehab and changed her life and moved back in within her true family. C.J. and Janine remarried at Calvin and Miranda's wedding. C.J. is portrayed by Allen Payne who used his real last name.

Relationships[]

C.j has been in a few relationships in the series

Janine[]

C.J. has been married to Janine twice and has 4 children, Malik, Jazmine and the twins. They both met in high school and dating even after College, but ended up married when they discovered that Janine was pregnant with Malik. CJ, Janine and their children visits their uncle Curtis and Aunt Ella. However on the day of Curtis's birthday C.J., and Curtis are called in for a fire. After they returned CJ revealed to everyone that it was his house that was on fire. CJ, Janine, and the kids move in with Curtis and Ella. Afterwards Janine's behavior is starting to alarm the family. Calvin reveals to C.J that someone set his house on fire, and Curtis confirmed it when he gets a call.

Ella, Calvin, and Curtis tells C.J that Janine is on drugs. At first CJ does not want to believe it until he see the signs of her borrowing money, leaving in the middle of the night, and losing a lot of weight. When confronting Janine about her addiction, under the influence Janine reveals that she was the one who started the fire to their house by smoking crack. Hurt and heartbroken C.J. tries to raise Malik and Jazmine as a single father after Janine left, and Ella begs CJ to get Janine help. On many accusations CJ tries to get Janine into a rehab including using Curtis's retirement money and have the crack house that Janine was living in raided to bring her home. Janine refuses to get help and steals from the family, and had gotten Ella put in jail for identity theft when Janine and her friends stole her checks when they robbed the Payne family home.

CJ finally decides to divorce Janine. CJ's hatred towards Janie started to show in season 2 and 3 when she returns and ask Ella to put her in a free rehab. Ella defends her actions against CJ and Curtis and reminds them that Janine is family and she will not turn her back on her. When Janine is discharged from rehab and completes the program. CJ is still furious at her and does not want her around him and the kids. Ella makes the decision to let Janine move back in much to Curtis and CJ's dismay. CJ slowly starts to trust and forgive Janine when she was there when Jazmine had emergency surgery on her appendix, and when her old drug dealer Blue returns to cause trouble and wanting to handle Blue on her own by getting him out of their lives.

When Janine and CJ go to a party for their friends Marcus and Melissa's wedding anniversary party. CJ gets drunk and kisses Janine, and reveals to everyone about Janine being on drugs and burning down their house. Afterwards CJ and Janie arrives at Ella and Curtis home and had a one night stand. Both CJ and Janie realizes that it was a mistake and sees other people. CJ dates Tanya, while Janine dates a former football player Brian.

CJ learns from a fight party at Marcus and Melissa's house that Janine is pregnant and realized that Brian is the father which he is happy and relieved about. Janine then moves out of the house and move in with Brian. In season 5 Janine returns after Calvin is about to propose to Miranda. Janine reveals to Ella, Curtis, and CJ that Brian broke up with her and wants nothing to do with the baby. CJ is furious and is about to confront Brian, until Janine reveals to CJ that he is the real father to her baby. Janine explains that Brian is sterile and cannot have children. Also Janine explains to CJ that he was the first and last man she had slept with. CJ welcomes Janine home, and starts to slowly fall in love with her again. On Calvin and Miranda's wedding day CJ finally reveals to Janine that he still loves her and want to marry her again. Janine at first was reluctant but CJ tells her that he loves her and their unborn child. CJ and Janine almost married until Janine goes into labor. Janine and CJ, and Calvin and Miranda get married while Janine is in labor. CJ and Janine welcomes twins Hayden and Jayden.

Nicole[]

In season 2 CJ was in a relationship with Nicole who is the assistant principal of at Malik and Jasmines school. They meet during a storm, and got trapped at the school. After sharing a kiss and opening up to each other, CJ and Nicole decides to date. On their first date CJ learns that Nicole is celibate and wants to wait until she is married to have sex to which CJ understands. However their relationship turns rocky because of Nicole jealousy towards women who were his exes, women in his family, and even accusing CJ of cheating on her. CJ tells Ella about Nicole's jealousy, and Ella warns him to end the relationship before she ends up hurting him. The relationship comes to an end when CJ has had enough of Nicole's jealousy over anybody and her throwing dishes at him and tried to attacks him with a knife. Nicole appears in season 3 briefly to return CJ stuff as well revealing she is no longer celibate. Nicole tries to win CJ back, but CJ rejects her and reminds Nicole of what she did to him to end their relationship.

Carmen[]

In Season 1 after Janine left, a teenager name Jasmine shows up to the firehouse to sell candy for her school. When sharing her interests with CJ he reveals that he ran track in high school like her. When Jasmine returns she reveals to CJ that he may be her father. When CJ asks Jasmine to go get her mother, he is shocked to see his ex Carmen. It was revealed that CJ and Janine briefly broke up in high school, and CJ and Carmen had a brief fling. When telling Ella and Curtis the news, both demanded CJ to take a DNA test. CJ was prepared to accept Jasmine has his daughter if the results to show he was the father. CJ finds out that he is not the father and calls Carmen to tell her the news.

Tanya[]

CJ meets Tanya at Marcus and Melissa's anniversary party. Tanya gives CJ her number, and CJ starts to date Tanya after Janine and CJ want to see other people. CJ and Tanya's relationship were tested when Tanya's friend tried to make a pass at CJ. Also when Tanya's past as a video girl in a racy video is exposed, but CJ understood why she did the video. Tanya ends her relationship with CJ when he reveals that Janine is pregnant with his child.