Vanessa Simmons Gets Personal: Family, Fame & Keeping Her Life Private

Was Run’s House really reality? Or was it just for TV? Vanessa Simmons joins her brother Joseph "JoJo" Simmons on the For Good podcast for a rare conversation about growing up in the spotlight, setting boundaries, and balancing fame with real life.

As children of Rev Run of Run-DMC, Vanessa and JoJo have had a unique journey from Run’s House to Growing Up Hip Hop, learning how to navigate the industry while protecting their peace. Vanessa opens up about why she keeps her relationship private, the inspiration behind her self-care brand, U4IA, and how she’s helping others prioritize wellness. They reflect on their tight-knit relationships with all of their siblings and what it means to raise the next generation of Simmons with intention.

Vanessa and JoJo also discuss:

• Low times and how they’ve each struggled with depression or social anxiety.
• What it was really like growing up with Rev Run as a dad - the family dynamic behind the scenes. 
• JoJo shares a childhood memory that brings Vanessa to tears.

Links and Resources:

• Follow @vanessajsimmons on Instagram
• Follow @forgoodpodcast on Instagram

Subscribe to the For Good podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 Welcome to For Good
• 00:01:35 You Need the Right Team Behind You
• 00:02:18 Growing Up with a Single Mom in Queens
• 00:04:28 Privileged but Not Spoiled: Our Upbringing
• 00:06:23 Run’s House Wasn’t Scripted
• 00:10:27 Lessons Learned from Reality TV
• 00:13:40 Being the Family Peacekeeper
• 00:15:02 My Relationships with All My Siblings
• 00:21:37 Being a Good Sister Means So Much
• 00:22:13 Missing New York While Living in LA
• 00:24:01 How Motherhood Changed Me
• 00:27:01 Balancing Career and Motherhood
• 00:29:47 Your Daughter Pranked My Daughter
• 00:31:53 The Spotlight on Self-Care
• 00:35:02 Using Our Platforms to Make a Difference
• 00:36:18 Living in the Public Eye Makes You Hyper-Self-Aware
• 00:38:06 Women Are Still Judged by Their Looks
• 00:39:45 Embracing a More Modest Style
• 00:41:34 Keeping My Daughter Grounded in LA
• 00:42:19 Privacy Is Power
• 00:44:36 Seeing Our Family in the Headlines
• 00:45:58 Remember When You Lived on My Couch?
• 00:51:02 Family Vacations with Our Kids
• 00:52:57 The Impact of the Run-DMC Documentary
• 00:56:18 What’s Next: New Projects
• 00:57:51 Motherhood Is My Driving Force
• 00:58:21 What Do You Do for Your Mental Health?