Vanessa Simmons


Vanessa Jean Simmons is an American television personality and actress. Her family is featured in the MTV reality show Run's House. She was recently 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

YearTitleRoleNotes
2009Boogie TownCicely
2010Speed-DatingElizabeth
2011Worst. Prom. Ever.HannaTV movie
2011Talking with the Taxman About PoetryTricia
2012Dysfunctional FriendsHanna
2012From This Day ForwardCorinneTV movie
2013Hollywood ChaosAlexis Burns
2013What Would You Do For LovePiperTV movie
2014A Holiday ChangeDoreen
2016Better Off SingleBargoer
2018Juug Gone WrongTraci
2019Same DifferenceSkye
2019South Central LoveVanessa
2019A Holiday ChangeCrystal Carter
2020HappinessQueen
2020Still HereTV Crew
2020LiveEbony LittleShort
2021Never and AgainSonya
2021Hip Hop Family ChristmasTrishTV movie
2022Hip Hop Family Christmas WeddingTrishTV movie
2022Christmas with My ExShawna
2023Deadly EntanglementTammyTV movie
2023The CaregiverStephanie Douglas

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2005-09Run's HouseHerselfMain Cast
2007Guiding LightLolaRegular Cast
2009Daddy's GirlsHerselfMain Cast
2010Running Russell SimmonsHerselfEpisode: "You Only Live Once"
2011Anderson LiveHerselfEpisode: "Are Parents Playing Favorites?"
2011GimmeMo'HerselfEpisode: "Self-Esteem"
2012Cupcake WarsHerselfEpisode: "Cupcake Couture"
2013ExhaleHerselfEpisode: "Beauty & Style"
2014David Tutera's CELEBrationsHerselfEpisode: "Vanessa Simmons' 31st Birthday Blowout"
2014Project RunwayHerself/HostEpisode: "Finale, Part 2"
2014Project Runway: ThreadsHerself/HostMain Host
2017Hip Hop SquaresHerselfRecurring Guest
2017-19Growing Up Hip HopHerselfMain Cast: Season 3-5
2018-21MonogamyCarolineMain Cast
2019Love & ListingsHerselfEpisode: "Cocktails are for Closers"
2019Games People PlayJackie HermanRecurring Cast: Season 1