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Andrea Lewis Reveals Drake’s Insane $50K Degrassi Reunion Move
Drake Surprises His "Degrassi" Girlfriend Andrea Lewis With $50,000 at Women’s Empowerment Event
The Degrassi Connection: Jimmy and Hazel Reunite
Remember the TV show Degrassi: The Next Generation? Two of its stars—Aubrey Graham (who you know as Drake) and Andrea Lewis—played an on-screen couple named Jimmy and Hazel. Even though the show ended years ago, their friendship never did.
Important Point: Andrea Lewis calls Drake by his real name, "Aubrey," because they’ve known each other since they were teenagers growing up in Toronto.
The Big Surprise at Casa Loma
Drake hosted a special event in Toronto called "Strong Women, Stronger Drinks" at the historic Casa Loma (a real-life castle!). Here’s what happened:
- 150 women from business, entrepreneurship, and creative fields were invited
- Every woman received $1,000 just for attending
- 10 lucky women got an extra $50,000 each
- Andrea Lewis was one of those 10 women—and she had no idea it was coming!
Callout: Andrea told The Root the energy felt "as if we won a sports game." Everyone was cheering, crying, and celebrating together.
More Than Just Money: Cars and Birkin Bags
The surprises didn’t stop at cash. According to Andrea and social media posts from the event:
- Two women drove away in luxury cars:
- A brand-new BMW
- A Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon
- Other women received Birkin bags (super expensive, highly coveted designer handbags)
Important Point: Drake’s goal wasn’t just to give gifts—he wanted every woman to feel seen, valued, and encouraged in their work.
What Andrea Plans to Do With Her $50,000
You might expect a shopping spree or a luxury vacation. But Andrea has bigger plans:
Her Projects Getting a Boost:
| Project | What It Is | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Glam Culture | A digital series about beauty culture | In production through her company, Jungle Wild |
| Black Beauty Effect (Part 2) | Documentary celebrating Black beauty professionals | In development; Part 1 is on Netflix now |
Why These Projects Matter:
"I never saw a story that highlighted the game-changers and celebrated Black beauty from a joyful lens… showing it as a space where we feel good, doing the work we do, despite what they say about us."
— Andrea Lewis
She says the money will help her create more, produce more, hire more people, and grow her business—exactly what Drake hoped for.
The "Black Beauty Effect" Documentary
Andrea’s documentary comes from personal experience. As an actress, she spent years in hair and makeup rooms and noticed:
- Black beauty professionals weren’t being celebrated
- Media often portrayed Black beauty negatively
- There was no story showing the joy, skill, and community in those spaces
So she made one herself. Part 1 is streaming on Netflix. Part 2 is coming soon.
A Friendship That Lasts Decades
Despite Drake becoming one of the biggest rappers in the world, he and Andrea are still close.
"People forget you still know the people you’ve always known. He’s somebody I’ve had the privilege of literally growing up with… We love each other. We’re very, very close."
— Andrea Lewis
Fans call it the "Jimmy and Hazel effect"—the sweet, real-life version of their TV romance.
Why This Moment Matters
This isn’t just a celebrity giving away money. It’s about:
- Community over competition — women lifting each other up
- Representation matters — Black women entrepreneurs celebrated in a castle
- Generosity with purpose — gifts that build businesses, not just egos
- Roots matter — Drake honoring where he came from and who grew up with him
Summary
- Drake surprised Andrea Lewis (his Degrassi co-star and longtime friend) with $50,000 at his women’s empowerment event in Toronto
- The event, "Strong Women, Stronger Drinks," gave $1,000 to 150 women and $50,000 to 10 women—plus luxury cars and Birkin bags
- Andrea plans to invest the money in her creative projects: Glam Culture series and Black Beauty Effect Part 2 documentary
- Their friendship spans decades—from teen actors to global star and accomplished producer
- The night was about visibility, encouragement, and investing in women’s dreams
FAQ
Who is Andrea Lewis?
Andrea Lewis is a Canadian actress, producer, and entrepreneur. She played Hazel Aden on Degrassi: The Next Generation and now runs her own production company, Jungle Wild.
What was the "Strong Women, Stronger Drinks" event?
It was a private event hosted by Drake in Toronto at Casa Loma (a castle-like venue). He invited 150 women in business and creative fields, gave everyone $1,000, and surprised 10 women with $50,000 each—plus cars and designer bags.
Did Drake and Andrea date in real life?
No. They played boyfriend and girlfriend (Jimmy and Hazel) on Degrassi, but in real life, they’re close friends who’ve known each other since childhood. Andrea calls him Aubrey (his real first name).
What is the "Black Beauty Effect" documentary?
It’s a documentary created by Andrea Lewis that celebrates Black beauty professionals—hairstylists, makeup artists, and the culture of Black beauty. Part 1 is on Netflix. Part 2 is in development.
What will Andrea do with the $50,000?
She’s not spending it on herself. She’s investing it in her creative projects—producing new content, hiring teams, and growing her company Jungle Wild. She says it’s the kind of gift that helps you "create more, produce more, hire more people."
