Today we’d like to introduce you to Simone Reyes.
Simone, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am a proud New York City native, raised in Greenwich Village. One could also say I was raised on hip hop since I have been the Godfather of Hip Hop’s right-hand since high school. I spent the better part of my life helping to mold entertainment mogul/ philanthropist, Russell Simmons’ dream into a reality that became legend. During that time, I became a vegan and an avid animal rights activist. This led me to traveling with Sea Shepherd to Taiji Japan as a Cove Guardian to document the horrific dolphin drives and all over the world advocating for animals. I became a well-known animal rights speaker eventually landing on the TEDx stage. I had my own reality show called “RunningRussell Simmons” on the Oxygen Network and eventually moved with Rush Communications out to Los Angeles about seven years ago.
I became the Vice President of Communications at the animal advocacy group Social Compassion in Legislation where I am able to concentrate on creating legislation to save animals. Our group, led by Judie Mancuso, has been able to get historic legislation passed such as banning the sale of mill bred cats, dogs and rabbits in CA, banning the sale of cosmetics tested on animals in CA and a slew of other life saving bills to the Governor’s desk for his signature.
While working, authoring a few books and focusing on my activism without warning, Russell Simmons, very publicly stepped down from his businesses to redirect his focus on global healing and my life took a turn. During that time and for the first time in my adult life, I was able to focus on my dream and follow my passion…country music. Currently, that is my passion. Making music I love and sharing it with the world is a dream come true. I have a few singles out now and an EP coming out soon. It is the best ride of my life.
Great, 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?
Being an activist is never an easy road. Our hearts are constantly broken but we have to soldier on. When it comes to fighting for animals, we must remember that the pain we feel is nothing compared to the horrific torture they most certainly endure on the torturous road from being born to arriving onto people’s plates, on their backs or being used for entertainment. My heart is always in a constant state of torment when I speak about laboratory animals, animals on factory farms, in circuses, in abusement parks, in rodeos, in zoos, all of it. I can never unsee what I have seen. Never.
Personally, packing up and leaving my friends and family back east to move with Russell Simmons and the company was an adjustment. It was hard to think about making new friends and living in a culture quite different than the streets of Manhattan Fortunately, there is a strong animal rights community here in LA that I was accepted into. As for my country career, I am learning it as I go. It is a challenge but it’s so much fun I am happy to navigate these new waters.
Please tell us about your work.
I am known first and foremost as an animal rights activist. It is my passion and my purpose. I use every opportunity I have to spread the message of peace for all sentient beings. I am most proud of the times I open my direct messages on social media and read messages from strangers telling me that they watched my TEDx talk or saw me on the news talking about animals and decided to try veganism.
As for my country music career, it’s so new but I am proud that I embarked on this at this stage in my life. I am not 25 years old but I don’t believe that dreams have an expiration date. I have already had my songs get some radio play, been profiled in magazines/blogs and have been singing live around Los Angeles. It is all exciting and I am loving every second of it.
I also am an author and wrote a few books and was a ghost writer for a few others. I am a creative so any way that I can express myself I take advantage of. First and foremost, though I am an activist through and through.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I feel the characteristic that is the most important to my success has been confidence. Sometimes I have had to fake it to get things done- it’s not easy to stand before thousands of people trying to convince them to change their lifestyle to save the planet and all of its inhabitants. It can be daunting to go on live TV and debate people who disagree with everything your stand for and be strong enough to get your point across. It is also scary to sing live but you know what? if you can’t shake the fear, do it scared. Never wait until it’s the right time. Just do it and believe in yourself. So far, that has worked for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.simonereyes.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/simonereyesmusic
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/activistsimonereyes
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/simonereyes
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0iKWV1R0brVVlUX2Cd94md?si=z0ZJmuKVR5-enGlmVaBY2Q
Image Credit:
Frontman Media
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