Meet Vince Rossi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vince Rossi.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Vince. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. My family is VERY Italian in how loud and extroverted we all are. My dad, Frank Rossi, is a full-time musician. He’s an accordionist who plays every Italian festival and jazz club you can think of. My mom, although almost one hundred percent Irish, is Italian in spirit and is a dancer. I am definitely one of those kids who grew up with music all around me, even if that meant being woken up at 7 am to the sound of my dad playing accordion in my room while opening the curtains to force me to wake up and go to 8 am gym class. I couldn’t be more blessed with the family life I was given. While my family praised me for the ways in which I was different, as a kid, I was bullied all of my adolescent years by kids in school. It was one of those things that I just always was aware of, but tried my hardest to not to let bring me down.

I came out as gay when I was 17 years old, in my college years, where I studied musical theatre. I think accepting who I am was one of the most vital turning points in my life. It gave me the freedom to embrace all of who I am and what I stand for in my life. I always wanted to perform in some way. I never really cared if it were to be acing, music, or hosting. I always had the vision for myself to be behind a camera, on a stage, sharing what was inside of me.

I moved to Los Angeles when I was 20 years old, ready to take the town by storm, paint it red, write my name all over it, or whatever the cliche phrase was at the time. Life in LA has been a JOURNEY. I started off here with no friends, a roommate I found through craigslist, and no job. HA! A true starving artist story, as they say. I eventually got an agent and started auditioning and booking commercial and print modeling jobs. Somewhere along the line, I started a pop project, a band named WINSLET. We are releasing our EP in the summer and I am so excited to share that music. I recently had a moment that changed my career path and I am very excited about it!

It all started actually at a friend of mines wedding last September, where I was a bridesmaid in her wedding party. The wedding planner approached me and told me that the DJ didn’t want to emcee the reception as he was only the DJ and not a host. She was a little panicked and said “I feel like maybe this is something you could do?” So, I said “oh..um…sure, yeah I totally can be your Ryan Seacrest for the evening.” I then proceeded to emcee the reception and introduce the first dance, the speeches, etc. It was only after this on-the-spot-moment that I realized that maybe what I should be doing is hosting. I had the best time, I love talking to people, and let’s be real…I love being the center of attention.

Haha, just kidding…kind of. So here I am now, starting a completely new journey for myself. It feels scary, but also feels totally right. I recently co-hosted a segment and partnered up with Yahoo! Play, a pop culture app that lets you hear the news while also answering trivia questions on the app while you watch. I am really excited for the road ahead, as I embark on becoming the man on the tv, or the red carpet who will always express my truest self, whether through what I’m saying or through my fashion choices. There is no holding back for me when it comes to expressing my opinions on pop culture or my knowledge on my pop queens. One thing I have learned in LA is everyone is destined for something. All of my friends that have had major success have had it because of their drive, passion, and working from a genuine place to who they really are. My goal as a human is to always do everything I do, do it well, with kindness, and authenticity. So to the little Italian boy who was scared of being his true self, I say let’s do this thing, cause baby we were born this way. Cmon, it’s Pride month, you know I HAD to reference Lady Gaga at least once.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been a “smooth road.” I don’t think anyone ever has a smooth road. Even the biggest of the stars. Everyone’s journey is theirs and comes with their own set of roadblocks and challenges. My confidence came to me through overcoming negativity, and judgment, and learning that to be the best version of myself it will always take work. The secret is, the work comes from within and is always worth it in the end.

What else should our readers know?
I am just out here doing my best, sharing the gospel (aka all the newest release in pop music and entertainment) and having fun connecting with people in a real and honest way.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
This reminds me of the Idina Menzel song, Starting Over, from the broadway musical If/Then. (Of course, it does.) There’s a lyric where she says “We can leave life for tomorrow, or grieve all that we thought we’d do. Or make each moment new.” It’s kind of a song about the human emotion and mind game of the What-If’s in life. For me personally, there’s nothing I would have done differently. Would I have loved to move out to Los Angeles at ten years old, rather than 20? Sure. But then I would have never met the life long friends and chosen family I have made through high school and college. The connection I share with the people in my life is irreplaceable. I am now really figuring out who I am and what I’m about. All of my life struggles, experiences, and choices have led me to this moment. I couldn’t be more grateful. I don’t think I’d be able to share my story with others had my life been any different.

Image Credit:
Jerry Maestas (dark hair pictures), Maxwell Poth (blonde highlight pics)

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