Meet VanityZo | Recording artist , actor , choreographer, creative director, college professor

We had the good fortune of connecting with VanityZo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi VanityZo, why did you pursue a creative career?
My parents met doing “The Wiz” musical at Howard university in the early 80’s. That was the foundation of my life before I came to this earth. I started training in tap and ballet at the age of 1 in a half followed by Jazz at the age of 5. By the time I was 12 I’d consistently studied Jazz , Ballet , Hiphop , lyrical , tap , African , character & Horton more than 10 times a week. I also trained heavily in acting and vocal at all 3 of my performing arts schools from the 2nd grade through my senior year. The arts was my life and the only thing that set me free and gave me more joy than anything on this earth. It wasn’t an option but a calling & a purpose . I can’t think of a time that I wasn’t in a studio , on a stage or set though out my life. It’s all I’ve ever known for the last 34 years and the only thing I will accept as a career.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve been a hardcore creative since I was a kid. Learning about music from my dad and dance from my mom is gift that keeps on giving. I’ve done my research and strive to always be myself while still paying homage in some way to those before me through my art. My only goal is to truly touch people with my music. I think being authentic allows the audience to truly trust you off rip. We all have a story to tell but just in a different tune , that’s the beauty of music and artistry.

My journey hasn’t been easy but to some on the outside it may look like I’ve had it all. Being in the industry at such a young age made me grow up really fast and see/hear things that would break the average person down. I’m so grateful to have gone through all that I have because now I’m strong enough to move through this industry with grace , class and a strength no man can break. I have a story to tell.

I choreographed my first commercial on Nickelodeon’s the Big help at 13 years old in 2000. That following year I made my second Tv debut on Nickelodeon’s Taina. That same year I was booked to back up Chaka Khan in SF. I was a supporting actor/dancer in the 2008 movie step up 2 (410 crew) & have worked with Timbaland, Teddy Riley , Ginuwine , Pharrell, Blackstreet , Method Man & Redman, Mary J blidge , Rick Ross , Ludacris , Ghost face , Kiesza , Ryan Leslie etc. I’ve been blessed beyond measure throughout my career. Doing music & becoming the ULTIMATE performer is the next step in elevation for me! Also shout out to my brother 88 circuits who produces all of my music ,  my husband who manages/ shoots all of my continent & my choreographer Alora. I wouldn’t be able to do ANY of this without you! My team is EVERYTHING to me!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
New York is such a big city that you could never cover in a day let alone a week but if I had to bring a friend or family member to any hood the lower east side and my neighborhood in Bushwick Brooklyn will always be my top choices. Both areas have lots of OG dive bars and small intimate venues to see lots of live music from local and up in coming artists. .

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe all that I am to my mother Paulette Johnson & Father James A Johnson. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be who I am today.

Debbie Allen and Dave Scott took a chance on me when I was only 14 years old. They cast me in my very first dance job backing up the iconic Chaka Khan at the warfield theater in San Fran for a private Oprah event.l filled with icons such as the late great Aretha ect

I wouldn’t be anywhere without my dance , theatre & vocal teachers throughout my life. Shout out to the best performing arts schools in Pinellas County , Perkins elementary, John Hopkins Middle & Gibbs High! The best dance schools , soulful arts dance academy , Judith Lee Johnson studio, Florida west ballet , Sarasota ballet , Diane Partington school of ballet , Alvin Ailey , Broadway theater project and the Debbie Allen Dance academy! All of these schools made me who I am today!

Instagram: @vanityzo

Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/vanityzo

Twitter: @vanity_zo

Facebook: Facebook.com/vanityzo

Youtube: https://youtu.be/Lqre1u1Pkcg

Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm2919721/

Image Credits
Aklo