Today we’d like to introduce you to Janeisha John.
Janeisha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story starts out on my favorite place on earth, a small island in the Caribbean, named St. Croix, USVI. I grew up a small island girl with big-city dreams. My parents Liz Torres and Josephat John were entrepreneurs who owned a thriving bakery/ restaurant business for over 30 years and a multitude of small entertainment business ventures like a music studio, event production company, etc… I grew up surrounded by business and the arts. So naturally, that peaked certain interests in me at a young age. From professional dancing at the age of four, competing for tons of pageants like Miss St. Croix, Miss Virgin Islands, Miss America and Miss Universe, to hosting for various networks throughout the Caribbean and now here in LA, you name it, I always had a passion for entertainment.
Coming from a small island like St. Croix, I worked extremely hard to find any opportunity to grow in the entertainment industry. I literally worked for every TV station on the island and neighboring islands, I would participate in every local modeling opportunity, pageants, etc… After running out of creative outlets, I eventually started saving up to fly out to the US mainland for any opportunities I could find, but I always knew that to truly excel in the world of entertainment I’d end up moving to LA. Oddly enough that wasn’t the first stop in my journey.
After graduating from the University of the Virgin Islands with my Bachelor of Arts in Marketing/ Communications and competing for my last major Pageant, Miss Universe, I decided to move to New York with hopes of my hosting and modeling career taking off there. While in NY, I eventually signed to a boutique modeling agency and landed my first major hosting gig for a former MTV affiliated – Caribbean network named TEMPO. After about two years in NY, the brutal winters pushed this island girl to move back home to St. Croix, where I eventually landed a general news reporter job at CBS-TV2 there. After a year back home, I got a push from family & friends to finally head to Hollywood. So I saved up, was gifted a one way flight to LA from my bestie and made my way to the City Of Angels!
Within my first year in LA I signed with my first major agency and booked my first of many national commercials and ads, hosted various red carpets, podcasts, etc… I’ve faced my fair share of adversities while living in LA, but I have also been extremely blessed in my success here. I have been featured as a model in numerous music videos with artists like Wale, Usher, Kid Ink, Fetty Wap, Daddy Yankee, 2 Chainz, Pharrell, and Nick Cannon to name a few. I’ve also been a model/ actress in several local and national commercials and print ads for brands like Malibu Red, Shoe Dazzle, Microsoft, Toyota, Target, Bacardi, Johnny Walker, IB Designs, Crucian Gold and recently shot a dual cover shoot and full spread for Playboy Denmark.
Currently, I am an Executive and TV Producer/ Host at The Zeus Network. Where I’ve helped to produce shows like the “Baddies” franchise, “Bad Boys”, “Joseline’s Cabaret”, “One Mo Chance”, The Real Blac Chyna”, and more. It has been such an honor and an incredible blessing to be a part of the Zeus team with incredible leadership from our CEO Lemuel Plummer and President Jason Tolbert. The company is only about five years old and has grown tremendously!! So I’m truly excited to see our journey continue from here.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Haha, if I said it was a smooth road, I’d be lying. More like a super bumpy, crunchy, roller coaster ride with tons of ups and downs. Living in LA or any major city for that matter, as an artist is not for the faint of heart. I can recall experiencing the most extreme highs where everything felt like I’d finally made it to dropping down to extreme lows where I only had enough to get pizza from 7-11 or from the dollar menu. I’ve couch hopped, I’ve had to borrow from loved ones, drive U-hauls, work weird jobs just to make ends meet. I’ve cried, felt defeated and even tried to throw in the towel a few times, but my TRIBE have kept me going through the darkest of times. I’ve been extremely blessed to have the most supportive and loving family and friends in my corner. They’ve never allowed me to give up on myself. Now almost ten years later, I stand as a living testament that no matter how hard the journey gets you can and will achieve great things if you never give up.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Currently, I work as an Executive and TV Producer/ Host at The Zeus Network. I’ve helped to produce shows like the “Baddies” franchise, “Bad Boys”, “Joseline’s Cabaret”, “One Mo Chance”, The Real Blac Chyna”, and more. I also serve as the official Zeus host for many of our reunion specials and events. It’s really such an honor and a blessing to be a part of such a great team like our Zeus team! Especially with incredible leadership from our CEO Lemuel Plummer and President Jason Tolbert. The company is only five years old and I’m truly excited to see our journey continue from here.
In addition to my work at Zeus, I’m known as an Ambassador for my home, the US Virgin Islands. As a former Miss Virgin Islands, It is important to me to always share my culture and my islands with the world. Recently I shot a dual cover for Playboy Denmark with Creative Director /designer Aria Garcia, which incorporated a lot of cultural and historical characteristics of our island through the photography/ art that we shot with celebrity photographer Chris Martin. I even recently brought my Zeus Family to experience our Festival firsthand on St Croix this year! It was a wild time, lol. Overall, I’m extremely proud to be an island girl who knows where she’s from and is unapologetic about shining a spotlight on my culture and home.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Thank you for reaching out to share my journey. I’m super grateful for the opportunity to share my story. Though my story is still being told, I’m excited to see where my journey takes me next… wherever that is, know that this Caribbean woman is ready for the ride.
Thank you again Voyage LA!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thezeusnetwork.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janeisha_missvi/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaneishaMissVI/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaneishaJohn
Image Credits
Dametreus Ward Chris Martin Arnold Turner
