Growing up in the house of Joseph Simmons—better known as Rev Run of the pioneering hip-hop group Run-DMC—meant a childhood split between suburban New Jersey normality and MTV cameras. When Run's House premiered on MTV in 2005, it wasn't just another reality show. It offered a window into a blended family balancing generational wealth, strict Christian values, and teenage rebellion.
Today, the Simmons children aren't just the kids from that early-2000s television screen. They've grown into adults navigating fashion, music, entrepreneurship, and their own families. Understanding where Rev Run's children are now requires looking past the nostalgia of Run's House to see how growing up under hip-hop royalty shaped their individual paths.
The Patriarch's Blueprint: How Rev Run Shaped His Family
Joseph Simmons transitioned from stadium-filling rapper to an ordained minister and television personality, a shift that defined the household rules. Rev Run enforced a strict code combining traditional faith with modern media savvy. Unlike many entertainment industry households where children are pushed into the spotlight early, Rev Run and his wife, Justine Simmons, attempted to build a protective buffer around their younger children while supporting the older ones' ambitions.
This balancing act created unique pressures. The kids lived out their teenage years, driving tests, and first heartbreaks on national television. Yet, the core philosophy preached at the Simmons dinner table remained consistent: integrity and education came before fame.
Vanessa Simmons: Fashion Entrepreneur and Actress
As the oldest of Rev Run’s children, Vanessa Simmons experienced the earliest days of her father's transition into mainstream television and lifestyle branding. Instead of resting on her family name, she carved out a distinct niche in the fashion and entertainment industries.
Along with her sister Angela, Vanessa co-founded Pastry, a sneaker and lifestyle brand aimed at young women that gained immense popularity in the mid-2000s. Beyond footwear, Vanessa pursued a steady acting career, appearing in various television series and independent films. She also embraced motherhood, balancing her career ventures with raising her daughter, Ava Marie Jean Wayans. Vanessa’s trajectory set a template for her siblings: leverage the platform of reality TV, but build independent business assets.
Angela Simmons: Media Personality and Fitness Entrepreneur
Angela Simmons followed a parallel path to Vanessa in the fashion world before establishing a massive solo presence in digital media and fitness. As the co-founder of Pastry, Angela helped build a commercial footprint that introduced sneaker culture to a younger female demographic.
Over the years, Angela transitioned into a powerhouse social media influencer and reality TV fixture, returning to screens in shows like Growing Up Hip Hop. Her public life hasn't come without tragedy; after the tragic loss of her fiancé, Sutton Tennyson, in 2018, Angela became a vocal advocate for gun violence awareness and single parenting. Today, she balances her entrepreneurial lifestyle brand, fitness initiatives, and raising her son, Sutton Jr., while remaining one of the most visible members of the Simmons family.
JoJo Simmons: Navigating Music and Fatherhood
Joseph "JoJo" Simmons Jr. was often portrayed on Run's House as the aspiring rapper trying to step out from under his father's massive musical shadow. Finding an individual identity when your father is a founding member of Run-DMC is a daunting task, and JoJo's journey included working through the typical creative growing pains of young adulthood.
JoJo focused heavily on independent hip-hop projects and production. In his personal life, he married Tanice Amira, and the couple has two children. JoJo has largely stepped back from heavy reality TV exposure to focus on family life and behind-the-scenes music production, proving that a quieter life in the industry can be just as fulfilling as chasing the charts.
Diggy Simmons: Transitioning from Teen Idol to Serious Actor
Daniel "Diggy" Simmons III captured national attention as a teenager, initially through Run's House and later as a breakout viral rap artist. Signing with Atlantic Records in his teens, Diggy released successful mixtapes and a debut studio album, Unexpected Arrival, earning a dedicated fanbase and comparisons to melodic hip-hop innovators.
Rather than remaining pigeonholed as a teen pop-rap sensation, Diggy made a deliberate pivot into acting. He secured a major role in the hit Freeform series Grown-ish, playing Doug Edwards across multiple seasons. This acting career shift allowed him to step away from the music industry grind and showcase a different kind of artistic range, establishing himself as a respected television actor in his own right.
Russell Simmons II (Russy) and Victoria Simmons
The youngest members of the brood experienced a vastly different upbringing than their older siblings because they spent less of their adult lives on continuous reality television runs.
Russell Simmons II, known as Russy, chose a path largely away from the cameras. While he appeared alongside his family during their early television days, Russy pursued private educational and entrepreneurial interests as an adult, prioritizing privacy over public celebrity.
The family also honors the memory of Victoria Simmons, who tragically passed away shortly after birth in 2006. Rev Run and Justine have spoken openly about how Victoria's brief life shaped their faith, resilience, and family bond, a deeply personal cornerstone of the Simmons family history.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many children does Rev Run have?
Rev Run has six children across his marriages: Vanessa, Angela, JoJo, Diggy, Russy, and Victoria (who passed away in infancy).
Are Angela and Vanessa Simmons still involved with Pastry?
While both sisters helped launch the iconic brand in their youth and remain connected to fashion, they have since expanded into individual media ventures, acting, and fitness projects.
What is Diggy Simmons doing now?
Diggy transitioned from a successful teen rap career into acting, notably starring as Doug Edwards in the television series Grown-ish.
Did the Simmons family continue doing reality TV after Run's House?
Yes. Following the conclusion of Run's House, various family members appeared in spin-offs like Rev Run's Sunday Suppers, Rev Runs Around the World, and Angela Simmons's prominent role in Growing Up Hip Hop.
