Vanessa Simmons Gets Personal: Family, Fame & Keeping Her Life Private
Vanessa Simmons Gets Personal: Family, Fame & Keeping Her Life Private  
Podcast: For Good
Published On: Tue Jun 03 2025
Description: 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?