Vanessa Simmons is hip-hop and reality TV, royal. Most fans can recall her teenage years as an actress on the 2005 MTV show Run’s house. A reality TV show revolving around her family and legendary rap father Reverend Run. And today Simmons continues to enjoy screen time as a cast member of WE tv’s. Growing Up Hip Hop. She also showed off her acting skills in BET’s The game everyone plays, TV One’s Christmas With My Ex, and many more movies and TV shows.
At the age of 39, Simmons is already firmly established in the business world. At the age of 24, she and her sister Angela rocked the footwear industry with their dessert-inspired Pastry line. And since then, Simmons is passionate about clothing lines, skincare lines, etc. In a 2021 interview with Her Agenda, Simmons said she just wants to “empower and inspire women to live their lives.” the best life possible.” And her latest move may just be the catalyst to do so.
Simmons sit down exclusively with Shade room Senior Editor, Jadriena Solomon. And share her decision to do Sono Bello’s TriSculpt Laser Liposuction, why she prioritizes happiness in 2023, her New Year resolutions, etc.
Jadriena Solomon: The start of a new year is an exciting yet challenging time as we begin to think about things to come. First and foremost, what are you doing? How do you feel about this prep season?
Vanessa Simmons: I’m doing good. I’m really excited about the new year. I think 2022 has a lot of lessons for me to grasp and apply in my life. And I’m proud of myself. I was able to overcome it victoriously. So I’m looking forward to the new year. And prepare for everything to come.
Jadriena Solomon: One of your 2022 highlights is Sono Bello’s TriSculpt Micro Laser Liposuction. Before we get into what that process is, can you tell us more about what prompted you to make that decision?
Vanessa Simmons: I had my daughter eight years ago. And my body has changed a lot – to be honest, probably more than I was prepared for. Everyone seems to have the same online experience with the “snap-back” body. And mine didn’t come, even after eight or nine years. I’ve tried a lot of non-invasive things – I exercise. Sometimes, I’m very consistent with my diet. But I wanted to do something different. And I want to stop playing small for myself and do something for myself without fearing what other people think.
Jadriena Solomon: I love it. To your best, what exactly is Sono Bello’s TriSculpt Laser Liposuction?
Vanessa Simmons: This is the least invasive form of liposuction you can perform. Those are extremely small incisions – I have about three. And I did liposuction on the abdomen and waist. It’s a sobering process that sounds scary to everyone – as it does to me. I cried before the procedure, but when I walked out, I was really excited. And I felt nothing while it was happening – nothing at all. I laughed and joked with my doctor the whole time.
My family brought me back home. I rest for the evening and I can literally wake up and move the next day – with great care, obviously. But I was able to get up and move within that first week.
Jadriena Solomon: How long would you say the actual procedure is?
Vanessa Simmons: About an hour and a half. My man was the one who brought me down and he was amazed that I finished so quickly. So they don’t keep you there for long. You guys pay attention to every detail. And they make sure you know exactly what to expect before entering the operating room. So it makes me feel very comfortable and at ease because even though I’m excited to do this and get myself started with my fitness goals, I’m still really nervous. . But it turned out to be a really good experience. And it made me so excited to enter this new year.
Jadriena Solomon: From your experience, what type of candidate would benefit the most from a procedure like this?
Vanessa Simmons: I think anyone can benefit if they want to enjoy this ultimate self-care moment. Sono Bello offers a variety of consultations. And it’s best to go and talk to an expert to find out if you’re a good candidate for the position. And TriSculpt not only works on the abdomen but can also be used on other areas of the body.
Jadriena Solomon: We’ve covered before about other people’s opinions and views on any form of plastic surgery, what advice would you give to those struggling between going the natural route? To achieve the body of your dreams or follow the path of aesthetics? A person who cares about all the different things they see on social media and the opinions of their friends and family etc.
Vanessa Simmons: It’s not easy. Especially for me – I’m always so nervous that people will say, ‘Oh my God, Vanessa, do you have a procedure like this?’ But I’d say you can’t worry about other people’s opinions. I know it sounds cliché. And that’s something I definitely struggled with growing up on TV. Especially in the age of social media, where you can really see people’s opinions come to life, in color and on your face. It can be difficult. But I mean, we just don’t worry about what other people are thinking. Do what will make you happy.
I’ve been holding off on getting a procedure like this for so long. I was like, ‘I’ll go the natural route’, there’s nothing wrong with that. It would be great if you could go there. But I’ve been working without the results I’m looking for. And you just do what makes you happy. You can’t worry about other people’s opinions because other people are living their lives. They are doing what they need to do to stay happy. And it is true that we focus on the same for ourselves. If having a procedure is something that will make you feel better or happier, I recommend it. It’s all about doing what makes you happy.
Jadriena Solomon: Yes. As for my last question, as we head into the new year, it’s very important to prioritize our physical health. But so does taking care of our mental health. You talk a lot about the different ways you prioritize your mental health. So what goals — physical, mental, and spiritual — do you have on your list for 2023?
Vanessa Simmons: I have a lot. Ultimately, I want to be the best mother. I want to be the best partner I can be and all that. But I think my biggest goal is to make myself a priority this year – not motherhood or anything like that. But only prioritize what I want. Sometimes I put things aside for myself because I feel like I can always do it later. I always care about everyone else. But I think this year it’s very personal. I am willing to stop playing small, make myself a priority and put my happiness first.
