Vanessa Jean Simmons (born August 5, 1983) is an American television personality and actress. Her family is featured in the MTV reality show Run's House. She was the host and judge of Project Runway: Threads.
Early life Simmons is the oldest daughter of Joseph Simmons and Valerie Vaughn. She is the older sister to Angela Simmons, Joseph "Jojo" Simmons Jr, Daniel "Diggy" Simmons III, Russell "Russy" Simmons II, Victoria Anne Simmons and Miley Justine Simmons. She is the niece of Danny Simmons and Russell Simmons, the co-founder of Def Jam Records.
Career Simmons found popularity between 2005 and 2009 with her family's MTV reality show Run's House. She and her sister, Angela Simmons, are designers for the shoe brand Pastry. Simmons appeared briefly on the soap opera television show Guiding Light and held a role in the film Speed Dating. In 2008 she secretly entered the Miss California USA pageant. She is in Boogie Town and the ensemble film Dysfunctional Friends. She also starred in the 2014 web series, Mixed. Simmons became the host and judge of Project Runway: Threads in 2014.
Personal life She attended St John's University.
Simmons and her boyfriend of several years, Michael Wayans have a daughter born in 2014.
Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes 2009 Boogie Town Cicely 2010 Speed-Dating Elizabeth 2011 Worst. Prom. Ever. Hanna TV movie Talking with the Taxman About Poetry Tricia 2012 Dysfunctional Friends Hanna From This Day Forward Corinne TV movie 2013 Hollywood Chaos Alexis Burns What Would You Do For Love Piper TV movie 2014 A Holiday Change Doreen 2016 Better Off Single Bargoer 2018 Juug Gone Wrong Traci 2019 Same Difference Skye South Central Love Vanessa A Holiday Change Crystal Carter 2020 Happiness Queen Still Here TV Crew Live Ebony Little Short 2021 Never and Again Sonya Hip Hop Family Christmas Trish TV movie 2022 Hip Hop Family Christmas Wedding Trish TV movie Christmas with My Ex Shawna 2023 Deadly Entanglement Tammy TV movie The Caregiver Stephanie Douglas
Television
Year Title Role Notes 2005-09 Run's House Herself Main Cast 2007 Guiding Light Lola Regular Cast 2009 Daddy's Girls Herself Main Cast 2010 Running Russell Simmons Herself Episode: "You Only Live Once" 2011 Anderson Live Herself Episode: "Are Parents Playing Favorites?" GimmeMo''' | Herself | Episode: "Self-Esteem" |- | 2012 | Cupcake Wars| Herself | Episode: "Cupcake Couture" |- | 2013 | Exhale| Herself | Episode: "Beauty & Style" |- |rowspan="3"| 2014 | David Tutera's CELEBrations| Herself | Episode: "Vanessa Simmons' 31st Birthday Blowout" |- | Project Runway| Herself/Host | Episode: "Finale, Part 2" |- | Project Runway: Threads| Herself/Host | Main Host |- | 2017 | Hip Hop Squares| Herself | Recurring Guest |- | 2017-19 | Growing Up Hip Hop| Herself | Main Cast: Season 3-5 |- | 2018-21 | Monogamy| Caroline | Main Cast |- |rowspan="2"| 2019 | Love & Listings| Herself | Episode: "Cocktails are for Closers" |- | Games People Play'' Jackie Herman Recurring Cast: Season 1
References
External links
Official Run's House Website