🎤 Vanessa Simmons Reflects on Growth, Legacy, and the Future of Pastry

Vanessa Simmons offered a rare level of openness during her recent sit-down on Her Rich Life with host Lisa Easton, reflecting on her journey through fame, family expectations, and finding her identity in the public eye.

Best known from Run’s House, Vanessa spoke with a quiet confidence, sharing how she worked to define herself beyond the Simmons name. She credited motherhood and her entrepreneurial path as key forces that helped shape her perspective and gave her a stronger sense of purpose.

👟 The Pastry Question Still Lingers

When the conversation turned to a topic fans have been asking about for years — the possible return of Pastry, the sneaker brand she launched alongside her sister Angela Simmons — Vanessa remained thoughtful and measured in her response.

“We’ve discussed it… I don’t want to say yes, I don’t want to say no,” she said.

While she didn’t confirm a relaunch, Vanessa hinted that there could still be opportunities ahead, mentioning that there “may be room for more collaborations” with Angela.

- 34%

Walmart.com

The North Face Motivation Womens Jackets Size L Color: Black

$78.51 ~~$119.90~~

Need It!

- 72%

Dtlr.com

Nike WMNS AIR FORCE 1 HIGH LX

$29.98 ~~$110.00~~

Need It!

🤔 A Future Still Unwritten

Her answer struck a balance — keeping hope alive for longtime supporters of the brand while making it clear that nothing is set in stone.

More than anything, the moment reflected where Vanessa is now: grounded, intentional, and moving on her own timeline.

Easton then asked what it was like to build a business with family. Vanessa acknowledged the challenges. “Working with family can definitely be tricky,” she admitted, though she emphasized how meaningful the experience was. She recalled how Pastry began during Rev Run’s Run Athletics era. She and Angela pitched the idea for a women’s line after their father insisted they approach it professionally. “She put her fashion sense, I put my marketing sense,” Vanessa said, explaining how they developed the Pastry concept around playful dessert-inspired themes. Their father’s business partners backed the idea, and the line became a breakout success.

The conversation turned personal when Easton asked about Vanessa’s long-term relationship with Mike Wayans. Vanessa revealed they met through mutual friends just days before she moved to Los Angeles. Their connection grew naturally, but she noted that the Wayans family values privacy, which shapes how she protects her relationship. “There are certain things I like to keep secret and sacred,” she said, adding that public curiosity often feels less like concern and more like “being nosey.”