Angela Simmons: From Whippin' Pastry to Single Parenthood & Dating in the Spotlight

Summary

For Good Podcast

Episode: Angela Simmons: From Whippin' Pastry to Single Parenthood & Dating in the Spotlight
Host: Joseph "JoJo" Simmons
Guest: Angela Simmons
Date: August 26, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this heartfelt episode, JoJo Simmons welcomes his sister, entrepreneur and advocate Angela Simmons, for an open exploration of fame, family dynamics, legacy, single parenthood, healing, body image, and authentic living. The episode traverses their shared history as children of hip-hop royalty, the highs and lows of growing up on reality TV, and Angela's journey as a single mom and businesswoman. The Simmons siblings delve into personal anecdotes, generational lessons, vulnerability, and wellness routines—offering listeners tangible insights on self-growth, healing, and intentionality.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Growing Up Simmons: Sibling Dynamics & Family Legacy

• Sibling Banter & Roles

  • Angela playfully remarks on JoJo's self-proclaimed protector role despite being the youngest:

    "You just happen not to be born before me and born before Vanessa, but technically, because you're the boy...you feel like you are older, but you're not. And I'm older than you, and I think you do forget that." (03:30)

  • JoJo recounts stepping up to defend Angela in elementary school, forming the roots of his protector complex. (04:00–04:50)

• The Realities of Growing Up in the Spotlight

  • Realization of fame came gradually for the siblings, not from household attitude but from public response:

    “There was a concert that woke me up one day. Like, I feel like we were on the side of the stage as we normally would be. I'm like, these people really like him...That's dad.” — Angela (06:53)

  • On being recognized after "Run's House":

    “It was in Times Square in New York. Like some random group noticed me and said it and I was just like, oh, they told us. Like, remember they warned us...” (08:13)

• Family togetherness as a legacy

  • Both celebrate their father’s priority of closeness:

    “Kudos to dad for keeping us always so close knit and family oriented...he made sure family was the first thing.” — JoJo (16:27)

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Entrepreneurship, Pastry, and Owning the Hustle

• Starting Pastry and the Jay-Z Co-sign

  • Angela details launching Pastry with Vanessa and being immortalized by Jay-Z’s lyric:

    “It's dope because it really is a New York staple song...I live, breathe, I am New York...to be a part of like the New York song, like, come on.” (10:02–10:38)

  • Designing for girls and surpassing Jordan sales:

    “They told us y'all sales surpassed Jordan this week...And we toured the world...lines 3,000 plus people long...” (11:49)

• Transitioning to Independence

  • Angela and Vanessa naturally diverged in career paths—no drama, just evolution:

    “We never, like, had a sit down. Like, yo, so you finna do this, I'm gonna do that. It was just like life happened.” (16:48)

• Misconceptions of Privilege, Reality of Grind

  • Angela sets the record straight:

    “People think we have a head start. We don't...when we walk in these rooms...they think, you got it already, or it's easy for you. So you're not the person that walks in with your hustle. And everyone says, I fully respect it. It's more like, we respect where you come from. And then they sit back, and we got to sit back and make the work happen and then show what we did times 20.” (19:03–19:29)

  • JoJo echoes that value, not legacy, earns respect:

    “You can have all the resources and connections in the world, and if you don't bring value to the room, it won't matter.” (20:01)

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Body Image, Wellness, and Healing

• Childhood Insecurities & Family Impact

  • Both candidly recall how teasing and childhood wounds stuck with Angela:

    “I also knew I was bigger than all y' all and not fat, but it felt fat, right? So, like, I had my little journal and I used to write that down and I hated it. So I was like, okay...And that is how I made the change." (24:04)

  • JoJo apologizes for past teasing, Angela acknowledges its effect but embraces her growth. (23:48–24:50)

• Transformation through Fitness

  • Angela credits trainer Mike T for catalyzing sustainable healthy habits:

    “When I'm all in on something, I'm all in...he taught me how to eat and to work out.” (25:15–25:54)

  • On wellness as a lifestyle:

    “If you feel good, then everything else follows. People who are their happier self produce happier environments and more grows there.” (26:14)

• Regimens & Mental Health

  • Angela and JoJo discuss discipline, daily routines, and the gym as essential mental tools:

    “Meditation. Gotta pray. Gotta listen to positive stuff first thing in the morning...Then it’s straight to body.” (27:10)

• Plant-Based Living & Food Choices

  • Angela has been vegetarian/vegan for nearly two decades; she supports autonomy in food choices.

    “I always wanted SJ...to be vegetarian or vegan...But being plant based or vegan—it’s a difference, you feel different.” (28:40–29:46)

  • Both stress research and non-judgment towards dietary paths. (30:03–31:22)

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Parenthood, Loss, and Support Systems

• Single Motherhood after Loss

  • Angela faces the unexpected death of SJ’s father with vulnerability:

    “It changed me as a person...I went into therapy the day after it happened...It was the only way for me to start processing what was in my head..." (31:55–33:06)

  • JoJo shares the emotional weight of the final interaction with SJ's father and the shared sense of responsibility:

    “His last words to me were, ‘aight, bro, hold it down.’...I have to make sure I have a relationship with SJ...because that was where his last words to me was, hold it down.” (33:33–34:28)

• Hardest Aspects of Single Parenting

  • Angela reveals the loneliness of decision-making:

    "Who do you share everything with?...I’m the final word. It’s like the weirdest, eeriest thing..." (35:11)

• The Importance of Family Support

  • The Simmons extended family’s involvement acts as a crucial support net:

    “Blessed that we have a large family and blessed that everybody's tight knit and able to kind of, like, play and cover all the bases.” (36:36)

• Cousin Bonds & Generational Echoes

  • Angela and JoJo reflect on the fiery, loving dynamic between their kids, who are being raised like siblings:

    “They have got a dynamic duo, but they're weird because they're arguing...and still want to play with each other." (38:05)

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Authenticity, Healing, and Choosing Growth

• Inner Growth & Emotional Intelligence
  • The conversation repeatedly circles back to intentionality, reflection, and healing. Angela cites therapy, self-work, and breaking generational cycles as essential:

    “Therapy. I went into therapy the day after it happened. Like, immediately...breaking down...how I felt, because there were things I needed to say...” (32:01)

  • JoJo adds:

    “For Good is about healing for real...breaking cycles and redefining legacy isn’t just a hashtag.” (Summary of the core message throughout)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Angela on what fame feels like:

  “We never looked at [Dad] like that. That's dad. So I just feel like we never thought about it, like, in that way.” (06:53)

• Jay-Z’s lyric validation:

  “Jay Z just said, like a Simmons whipping Pastry. We were like, what?...it's dope because it really is a New York staple song.” (10:02)

• On public perceptions of privilege:

  “People always think, like...you got it already, or it's easy for you...but...the expectation bar is here. You don't get to start over the same way someone else starts over. Everyone's looking at you already.” (19:03)

• On parental boundaries and independence:

  “I don't like being told no. So I said, I'm a figure it out. And then I turned around and got the same apartment he said no to.” (18:12)

• On body image and confidence:

  “But as a kid, I struggled with it terribly.” (25:57)
  “The better I feel, the better everybody else can feel. The better mom I can be, the better friend.” (26:33)

• On healing and therapy after tragedy:

  “Therapy. I went into therapy the day after it happened...it was the only way for me to start processing what was in my head.” (32:01)

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Important Timestamps

• 03:30: Angela on sibling dynamics and age roles
• 06:53: Angela on first realizing her father's fame
• 08:13: Angela on realizing her own fame post-"Run’s House"
• 10:02: Angela on Pastry’s launch and Jay-Z shout-out
• 11:49: Pastry surpasses Jordan sales
• 16:27: JoJo on the legacy of family closeness
• 19:03: Angela on the reality of hustling as the child of celebrities
• 24:04: Angela on body image struggles and self-transformation
• 26:14: Angela on wellness and creating a positive environment
• 31:55: Angela on becoming a single mother after loss
• 33:33: JoJo's emotional recollection of SJ's father's last words
• 35:11: Angela on the hardest part of single motherhood
• 36:36: Angela on the critical importance of family support
• 38:05: The sibling/cousin dynamic between their kids

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Tone & Style

• The episode is lively, direct, candid, and loving—full of sibling banter and vulnerability.
• Both JoJo and Angela keep it real, blending humor, wisdom, honesty, and emotion in equal measure.

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Conclusion

This episode of "For Good" is a powerful, meaningful conversation that goes beyond celebrity to illuminate authentic growth and healing. Angela Simmons' story underscores that true legacy is built through intention, resilience, and love. It's an essential listen for anyone navigating transitions, healing from loss, or striving to break generational cycles with courage and grace.

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End of Part 1 – Tune in for Part 2 as the discussion moves into Angela’s candid reflections on dating and life in the public eye.

Transcript

[Angela Simmons]

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[JoJo Simmons]

What made you want to come sit down with me? And what made you say, like, why didn't you sit down with me yet?

[Angela Simmons]

I was like, wait a minute. I feel like I got left out. Vanessa was on and not me.

[JoJo Simmons]

But you're loud, too, though. The family is loud. The Simmons daddy has made us all loud.

[Angela Simmons]

Naturally. Naturally Divorced. Yeah.

[JoJo Simmons]

Like, if you've ever watched Run's House, he's always yelling 100%.

[Angela Simmons]

Still does. Still does.

[JoJo Simmons]

It's not as easy as people think. You can have all the resources and connections in the world, and if you don't bring value to the room, it won't matter.

[Angela Simmons]

Don't matter.

[JoJo Simmons]

You know what I mean? Like, I. I'm sure we can call anybody we want, but if we don't have no value, they're going to say, okay. Oh, yeah, great to see you, nephew. Yeah, great to see you, nephew.

[Angela Simmons]

I think that's cute. I respect your dad. I respect your uncle and Pat on the back. So nobody just handing you nothing. I was bigger than all y', all, and not that, but it felt fat, right? So, like, I had my little journal, and I used to write that down, and I hated it.

[JoJo Simmons]

What's good, everybody? It's your guy, JoJo Simmons. And this is the For Good podcast, where we focus on the good, never the bad. And we're measured by what we do, not what we have. And today I'm sitting down with an entrepreneur and an advocate, a mom, and my sister, my other sister. I know you guys saw Vanessa on the show before, but today I got Angela Simmons here. We grew up together in Run's house and on Growing Up Hip Hop, or you might remember her from Daddy's Girls or Pastry. But beyond all that, she's someone who's built her own legacy on grit, faith, and doing things her way. She's the first one out of all of us who told our dad, I got this on my own. And she meant it. But these days, she's balancing motherhood, business, wellness, and a lot more. Everybody, welcome my other big sister, Angela Simmons.

[Angela Simmons]

Hello, hello, hello.

[JoJo Simmons]

Thank you for coming on here. I was quite shocked I was able to get you right after Vanessa. And that's what I first want to talk about it's funny is because I remember we were talking about something else, and you were kind of like, yo, why haven't you sat down with me? What made you want to come sit down with me? And what made you say, like, why didn't you sit down with me yet?

[Angela Simmons]

Why wouldn't I be invited through your podcast? And you're my brother.

[JoJo Simmons]

I mean, it's crazy.

[Angela Simmons]

I was like, wait a minute. I feel like I got left out. Vanessa was on and not me.

[JoJo Simmons]

You know, it's a very, you know, with all my siblings. It's a very sensitive thing for me when it comes to you guys being vulnerable or me asking you guys questions that I'm not saying, you guys may not feel uncomfortable answering, but I just want to make sure that you guys reach out to me and are comfortable enough to say, hey, I'll sit down with you and talk to you. Because, you know, with this podcast, it focuses on all the positivity, but we, you know, we get real and we. And we. And we speak about real things, and we get to the grid. I mean, you don't give everybody everything, so that's why I'm so appreciative of you being here.

[Angela Simmons]

Everybody, Everything. But, I mean, it's your podcast, so.

[JoJo Simmons]

I appreciate you coming on. So I wanted to talk about this because I hear this a lot, and I'm going to start off with this. So a lot of people assume, and I know you may not hear this, but I hear this a lot, that I'm the older brother. They assume that I'm. I come after Vanessa and you come after me, but I'm actually the baby of the three of us.

[Angela Simmons]

Correct. But you think you're older than all of us.

[JoJo Simmons]

And I want to ask you, how does it feel me, your little brother, acting like I'm older and this protective spirit that I have over you and Vanessa, but me being the baby, how does that feel for you? Like, is it annoying or, like, how does that feel?

[Angela Simmons]

I just think you're the brother. That's what you're supposed to do. You just happen not to be born before me and born before Vanessa, but technically, because you're the boy. That's how it goes. I mean, we have brothers, but, like, I guess because you were the first one, you feel like you are older, but you're not. And I'm older than you, and I think you do forget that.

[JoJo Simmons]

So just. Do you want to hear a funny story that I always remember? And I think this is my first time knowing I was protective over you and Vanessa, and specifically you when we were in Highland Elementary School. And, you know, I'm two years younger than you, and I remember you telling me some boy was bullying you or did something, and I approached the boy a couple periods later, and I. Yeah, you. And I pushed him. I pushed the boy. And, you know, I didn't get in any trouble, but like, in the. In the. In the. Then the boy probably wasn't even like that. You know, he probably wasn't necessary, but he was just so surprised at this little pipsqueak that I was short and skinny. And I came up, was like, you're messing with my sister. And I pushed him. And I remember that being my first moment of me saying, okay, I have to protect my sisters if they come to me. If they who? Maybe SJ's age. How old is SJ right now?

[Angela Simmons]

Eight.

[JoJo Simmons]

What grade are you in? Eight. Third grade.

[Angela Simmons]

Well, he's nine. Going third.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah, yeah, it was that age. I was SJ's age. Cause you're two years older than me. You were in fifth grade. Yeah, I remember you in fifth grade. So I was third grade. Yeah. I mean, you should love that if SJ was to do that for me.

[Angela Simmons]

No, but I'm just saying he's so lit. Like, I can imagine that.

[JoJo Simmons]

And. But that's my. That's how I always feel like Vanessa and you is like, I always jump in head first and through the fire with no reinforcements just because, like, I'm used to it. It's the spirit of me just saying it. Right. Like, those are.

[Angela Simmons]

My sister used to it at this point.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah, for sure.

[Angela Simmons]

That's funny. I didn't even realize you remember doing that.

[JoJo Simmons]

So what's one thing that I still do today that annoys you? Like when we were kids. Is there anything that I still do today is like, jojo, why do you still do that?

[Angela Simmons]

Let me see. What do you do? You still do. I mean, you've grown quite a bit. You're pretty mature. Three kids, wife. I'm just trying to think you could.

[JoJo Simmons]

Tell them that I get angry sometimes.

[Angela Simmons]

Two kids. I said three.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah. Why are you the third one? Did she say three?

[Angela Simmons]

I don't know why I felt.

[JoJo Simmons]

See, that's when you know, I wasn't thinking. I have two kids.

[Angela Simmons]

I know. And you didn't you let it roll, too? Because I was like, I think I.

[JoJo Simmons]

Messed up because I didn't hear three. But first of all, don't put three on me first.

[Angela Simmons]

It could be coming.

[JoJo Simmons]

You might have the three pack no, thank you. I'm sure Denise doesn't want another one. And we. Joey and Mia, two packs enough. They do enough for. For a village.

[Angela Simmons]

I got the one pack. I understand.

[JoJo Simmons]

But, yeah, is there anything that I do that. And it could be something funny, annoying, or. But I mean, I appreciate you saying I've matured. I. I give you that.

[Angela Simmons]

I mean, I can't think of nothing that you do this annoying. Like, I just think, like, y' all my siblings, so you don't really. Y' all don't annoy me. Like, you don't annoy me, so I can't say nothing.

[JoJo Simmons]

Like, y' all annoy me.

[Angela Simmons]

I think you just steal yourself, like, you know, like crazy funny, loud, Jojo.

[JoJo Simmons]

But you're loud, too, though.

[Angela Simmons]

Yeah.

[JoJo Simmons]

The family is loud.

[Angela Simmons]

Yeah.

[JoJo Simmons]

The Simmons daddy has made us all out.

[Angela Simmons]

Naturally. Naturally. The voice. Yeah.

[JoJo Simmons]

Like, if you've ever watched Run's House, he's always yelling 100% and still does.

[Angela Simmons]

Still does.

[JoJo Simmons]

And that's where it comes from.

[Angela Simmons]

They're like, oh, I know you. Cause of your voice.

[JoJo Simmons]

I'm like, all the time.

[Angela Simmons]

Yeah, it's the top.

[JoJo Simmons]

I was in Target one time in a whole nother aisle, and somebody was like, jojo from two aisles over.

[Angela Simmons]

Not two aisles. Hello.

[JoJo Simmons]

Two aisles over. And I'm like, how do. They were like, I just know your voice. I said, that's insane.

[Angela Simmons]

That always happens to me, though.

[JoJo Simmons]

We're too loud. And Tanisa always be like, it's cuz you so damn loud all the time.

[Angela Simmons]

I should be talking. I don't know when. I'm just having fun.

[JoJo Simmons]

I'm talking, speaking about Daddy. When did you first realize that Daddy was famous?

[Angela Simmons]

Young, but not young, because it was weird. For a long time I didn't know. So, like, first grade. I'm like, people want pictures. It's weird. It was a concert that woke me up one day. Like, I feel like we were on the side of the stage as we normally would be. And I'm like, these people really like him. You know what I mean? Like, it was like that, like, because, you know, throughout the years, people ask for the pictures, autographs. I'm like, it's weird. But then it was a concert, and I remember seeing a whole lot of people in audience, and I'm like, oh, like, people know him. But, like, we never looked at like that. Like, that's dad. So I just feel like we never thought about it, like, in that way.

[JoJo Simmons]

It's funny. My first encounter is the weirdest one, and I always Tell this story. My first time realizing that dad was famous was actually in Toys R Us. Remember dad used to bring us to Toys R Us Friday when we were like, really young. And I remember this guy running up to daddy and asking for an autograph. You know, at the time autographs were a thing and. But here's how I found out. Our whole family was like something. Because they called him Russell Simmons that day. And he was like, no, that's my brother. And I'll never forget when I was younger and I.

[Angela Simmons]

You pieced it all together right then.

[JoJo Simmons]

And there, all the guy. I was like, oh, so Daddy is somebody and Uncle Russell is somebody.

[Angela Simmons]

And that's when I had to be real young.

[JoJo Simmons]

Five probably. Five, probably something like. Speaking of daddy being famous, though, when was the first time you realized that you were famous?

[Angela Simmons]

I was in Times Square and it was after Run's House dropped and someone asked me for a picture and I was like, oh, that's what this comes with. I was like, I don't know about this. I was just with my friends. But it was in Times Square in New York. Like some random group like noticed me and said it and I was just like, oh, they told us. Like, remember they warned us. You know, once we film this, people gonna start. I'm like, I didn't believe that. Yeah, it was like, whatever.

[JoJo Simmons]

I didn't believe it.

[Angela Simmons]

This is just a regular. And this is a regular family just filming a show. And then I remember just being in Times Square and someone's saying, let me get your pict. And I'm like, oh, this is what is going to happen.

[JoJo Simmons]

I shut Time Square and it kept going. Really, bro? Like, a lot of friends can tell. Like, Zach was there, Dave was there. A bunch of people there. I'm talking about like a 60, 70 people mob.

[Angela Simmons]

MTV.

[JoJo Simmons]

It was wild. But when I first realized it was Roosevelt Field Mall, you know, I used to go there a lot as a kid in New York. Post up and. But here's the story I always tell. Remember the Gotti show with the kids, the Gottis? They were like. They were like the biggest thing. And I remember before Run's House came out, seeing them in the mall and all the like people running after them. And I was like, oh, wow, that's. That's cool. Like, but nobody knew who I was. I'm Run's son. I'm nobody.

[Angela Simmons]

You don't think nothing of it.

[JoJo Simmons]

2. Two years later or a year later, Run's house is second season and the roles are reversed. Now I'm in Roseville Field and I'm seeing what was happening for them. Happening.

[Angela Simmons]

And they ran over to you.

[JoJo Simmons]

What? I mean, I used to go to the mall when I was younger just for the love. Like, it used to just make me.

[Angela Simmons]

Feel just hanging out. Hey. Yeah, hey.

[JoJo Simmons]

Used to make me feel good.

[Angela Simmons]

Presidential.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah, it was. It was fun. They were good times. So I want to talk about pastries a little bit because that was a big time in your life.

[Angela Simmons]

Yeah.

[JoJo Simmons]

I remember when you and Vanessa had the whole world rocking them and Jay Z, the greatest rap of all time to me, rapped in the kitchen like a Simmons whipping pastries. How did it feel having the biggest rapper co sign our family's entrepreneurial spirit?

[Angela Simmons]

It was hard. I mean, I remember finding out when they actually put the record out, we were in Vegas on our grind, working because we were always on tour for Pastry and we were at Magic, the magic show convention for our sneakers. And someone said, there's a song. And Jay Z just said, like a Simmons whipping Pastry. We were like, what? It was hard. I mean, it's dope because it really is a New York staple song. And, like, we are a part of New York. Like, to me, I live, breathe, I am New York. And so to be a part of like the New York song, like, come on, that comes from Frank Sinatra and then it's like the offspring of it. And that is an official song. Like, you gonna hear it.

[JoJo Simmons]

One of his biggest records. They would. They would like. Jay Z's had a lot of big records, but I think that's his most monumental one. That stands for something. It's a special record. And it was special for me too, because, you know, going to the club and you're hearing that, it's like that's your last name and you know who they're talking about, man. But how did it feel for you knowing daddy was super successful, Uncle Russell? Super successful. And you and Vanessa were able to carry that torch and come up with something as well that was super successful that people remember still to today.

[Angela Simmons]

But it's crazy because, like, we didn't know what Pastry was going to do. Like, literally, it was a passion project. We were like, you know, I went to school for design. A lot of people don't know that. I went to fashion industries. I studied pattern making. I went to fashion high school. So fashion has always been in me. And I always wanted to do something around a line like that. And so when Vanessa and I sat down, we came up with the name. It started with Cake first. That Was the name. And then we went to pay. We winded up getting the name Pastry because we couldn't do cake. And then we sat there and we sketched these sneakers. But it was like, who knew that momentum was going to pick up like that? And it really was, like, about us designing shoes for girls to be like, yo, like, we always wear Jordan. And I'll never forget, actually our shoe being in. It was like Foot Locker. And they told us we were directly competing with Jordan. They were like, y'. All. Y' all sales surpassed Jordan this week.

[JoJo Simmons]

Wow.

[Angela Simmons]

What? So no, it was.

[JoJo Simmons]

That's crazy.

[Angela Simmons]

And we toured the war, the world. Like, we were in Europe. All over Europe. Lines. 3,000 plus people long, like hands hurting by the ends of signings. You know what I mean?

[JoJo Simmons]

Like, y' all remember. Y' all left me. Y' all apartment in the city.

[Angela Simmons]

No, probably on 28th Street.

[JoJo Simmons]

I had my. So I was in Institute of Audio Research. I was an institute. And daddy was like, yeah, just stay in the girls apartment. They're always on tour. I had a two bedroom to myself. Oh, I had a two bedroom to myself, man. Yeah, that was a good time.

[Angela Simmons]

We were having a good time. We were in the middle of this, working and you were having a ball now.

[JoJo Simmons]

Oh, yeah. I used to come for like a day and be gone and be gone and I'd have a whole two bedroom. I remember those times you guys were touring and on the road and. And I also remember growing up watching you doing those sketches. Dresses, shoes, heels.

[Angela Simmons]

Remember you did one.

[JoJo Simmons]

I don't wanna talk about that.

[Angela Simmons]

Why would you say. I just thought of it.

[JoJo Simmons]

What was the name of my.

[Angela Simmons]

Are you crazy? It's Gigi. You were mad young. You had to be. As she said.

[JoJo Simmons]

I had a tagline that should have showed you right there. I was a creator. I had a tagline for the clothing line. I came up. I didn't wanna name it JoJo. So I was like, I wanna switch it to Gigi. I didn't know what. I didn't know what it was. Are you crazy?

[Angela Simmons]

It's Gigi.

[JoJo Simmons]

You crazy.

[Angela Simmons]

Cause I used sketch.

[JoJo Simmons]

Are you crazy? How old were those? I had to be seven.

[Angela Simmons]

I had to be like eight or seven.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah, I was a kid, so let's not act like I was a kid.

[Angela Simmons]

No, but I remember it because I remember you came and me and Vanessa were looking at each other. And Vanessa.

[JoJo Simmons]

That hurt my feelings so badly.

[Angela Simmons]

Vanessa. Actually, it was how Vanessa read it. I wish Vanessa was here to back it up. Vanessa looked at the sketch. You were like, look what I did. Or whatever. Vanessa was like, she held it. Are you crazy? It's Gigi. Because it was like how you had the jeans. I mean, it was like.

[JoJo Simmons]

I was like, pele, Pele. You're in my own version.

[Angela Simmons]

No, it did look like that. But I did. I used to.

[JoJo Simmons]

I had the jean, the legs. Legs. I had the letters coming down the legs.

[Angela Simmons]

Now you had a whole collection.

[JoJo Simmons]

I was inspired by my sister obviously sketching, and I said, you know what, let me. Let me try it and realize, y' all let me know very quickly.

[Angela Simmons]

That was my fashion to this day.

[JoJo Simmons]

You weren't exactly well, and I want to get into that. You're one of my inspirations, sneaker wise. I'm a sneaker head. Everybody knows that. But I remember growing up, you had all the newest Jordans and I followed your model. I remember going back to school shop, and you should be like, yo, Jojo, get the. Get the elevens. Like that and get those. And you was the one that actually put me on the Jordans.

[Angela Simmons]

Slick sneakers.

[JoJo Simmons]

Now I took it way further than you. Now I'm everywhere.

[Angela Simmons]

Yeah, I got every color.

[JoJo Simmons]

Oh, I need it. I need it. Like you've made me a sneaker freak. Just watching you grow up and being fly all the time and mommy and daddy getting you all the Js and going to the ave for you and getting all that.

[Angela Simmons]

See, you didn't know that I was inspiring your. Your sneaker since back then.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah. I remember when you had these baby blue and white Jordan twos.

[Angela Simmons]

I know which ones you're talking about.

[JoJo Simmons]

I used to love those, man.

[Angela Simmons]

I used to be clean with them.

[JoJo Simmons]

On my denim, yo, that was my favorite.

[Angela Simmons]

I used to match my headband to my sneaker.

[JoJo Simmons]

You couldn't tell me nothing. Looking crazy.

[Angela Simmons]

Jamaica Avenue. Looking crazy, going nowhere.

[JoJo Simmons]

Okay, so not to get off topic, we were talking about pastries and all the hard work you and Vanessa did. But I also want to talk about a moment in both of your guys lives where you guys both decided not to split but to do your own things.

[Angela Simmons]

Me, Vanessa.

[JoJo Simmons]

Vanessa said, I want to really kind of go more into the acting world. And you kind of said, I want to step into other things, do my thing. Like it wasn't like a two man tandem anymore. It wasn't like Vanessa and Antler doing something together. It was like they still work together, but now they're going to do things alone.

[Angela Simmons]

I think that happened naturally.

[JoJo Simmons]

Was there a conversation with Vanessa about saying hey or it just Happened.

[Angela Simmons]

No, I feel like that happened naturally. You gotta think, like, me and Vanessa were together 24 7. We got our first apartment in New York when, I mean, Vanessa's four years older than me, so like, I was under her wing for a really long time, right? So I'm like, whatever she doing, I'm on. I'm on, cuz I could, like, do it, right? So it was like little sister to big sister. And then we got our first apartment together when I went to college. Was it New York? Yeah.

[JoJo Simmons]

So we had everybody. So you guys shopping for it on Run's house?

[Angela Simmons]

We had our first apartment. Then after that we moved to la. So I'm. We're there like the whole time. I stayed in LA for seven years, and once I split off to New York, I just naturally started doing my own thing and Vanessa was doing her thing. So they like, oh, we don't see y' all together. Are y' all cool still? Like, why would I not be cool with my sister, right? Like, people say that all the time. I'm like, bro, that's like the weirdest question to ask me. Like, but are y' all cool? No, I'm not cool with my sister. No, but like, who? Like, is y' all close, bro? Yeah, like, we on group text all day. Like, what are you saying?

[JoJo Simmons]

We speak all day, every day. Yeah, like, we got kids speak more than we speak.

[Angela Simmons]

Like, literally.

[JoJo Simmons]

Literally more than we speak. They speak. They're like a three man tandem. So. Yeah, I get that question together too. But I get that question too. Like, you still cool with Diggy? Like, he was a friend of mine or something?

[Angela Simmons]

Like, I just think that's a dumb question.

[JoJo Simmons]

We're family. And, and, and kudos to dad for keeping us always so close knit and family oriented when we, like, he made sure family was the first thing.

[Angela Simmons]

Yeah, I agree.

[JoJo Simmons]

And that's why I think Run's house hit so hard.

[Angela Simmons]

I agree.

[JoJo Simmons]

Because it was real. It was authentic. It wasn't like, oh, this family's just out here trying to entertain. It was like, yo, this is really a real family.

[Angela Simmons]

And it was. It just was with the cameras there.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah.

[Angela Simmons]

You know what I mean? So it's like. But not me and Vanessa never, like, had a sit down. Like, yo, so you finna do this, I'm gonna do that. It was just like life happened. Like, she was going more in the acting direction. And I went to New York, so different states, different stuff. More fashion. I went and did all these fashion shows and I did all these different things. And I opened an office in New York, so I just went in a different direction.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah.

[Angela Simmons]

And Vanessa stayed in la. She always wanted to be an actress, so always she did her thing and I just did mine. But that didn't mean, like, we was not doing it. It just had the company we built together. The tour stopped, so it was like, okay, what's next? And then life just happened naturally.

[JoJo Simmons]

So I want to talk to your hustle and your grind a little bit. A lot of people don't know this. You know, everybody looks at us and says their dad or their uncle just gave them some money and they're just living off a free life, right?

[Angela Simmons]

Oh, yeah.

[JoJo Simmons]

But a lot of people don't know. And I always, you know, I'm inside looking in. I know what it is.

[Angela Simmons]

Right.

[JoJo Simmons]

You were the first one to really say, dad, I got this. Don't need much support. Don't need any support. Let me hop off this stoop and figure this out. I remember the moment where you're like, yo, I'm gonna go figure this out on my own and hustle it up. How was that moment for you? Like, when you were like, yo, I'm out here and I gotta make it happen without any support, without any help and saying, I'm just gonna make it happen. What was that like for you? Cause it's hard.

[Angela Simmons]

Well, I. When I moved back to New York, Pops helped me, like, make the transition.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yep.

[Angela Simmons]

And then I was over the apartment. So I was like, I want this new one. He said, no. I said no. I was mad, crying, pissed. I can't get into apartment. I was like, bet no one going to tell me no ever again. And that was my mentality after that moment. I said, I don't like that. I don't like being told no. So I said, I'm a figure it out. And then I turned around and got the same apartment he said no to. And I said, I did it right because I was like, I just want it, and I'm a figure it out. So that was my first time having to, like, go through the apartment process on my own, do it on my own, figure it out on my own. And from that moment on, I said, never again. Well, I want to be in a position where someone can tell me I can't, whether that be my dad or anyone. I don't want to be in that position. So then I just started just hustling full. I mean, I already was on Hustle, but it was like, now I got to go times 20, because I know that I'm supporting myself completely here. And so people definitely always think, like.

[JoJo Simmons]

It'S just given to us.

[Angela Simmons]

It's. And, you know, and I think people don't realize that as much as we have a head start. We don't. Right. Because when we walk in these rooms, people automatically. We're not like the person you say, let me get a deal to them. We think, you got it already, or it's easy for you. So you're not the person that walks in with your hustle. And everyone says, I fully respect it. It's more like, we respect where you come from. And then they sit back, and we got to sit back and make the work happen and then show you what we did times 20.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah.

[Angela Simmons]

You don't just get to walk in the door. So people don't even realize that. It's like when you come from a family of, you're ready. The expectation bar is here. You don't get to start over the same way someone else starts over. Everyone's looking at you already.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah.

[Angela Simmons]

So it's like. It's a completely different. It's different ball game.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah. And that's what I tell people. Time. I'm obviously blessed and appreciative of the opportunities and everything we were blessed with, because a lot of people don't have these windows and doors they can walk through. But it's not as easy as people think. You can have all the resources and connections in the world, and if you don't bring value to the room, it won't matter.

[Angela Simmons]

Don't matter.

[JoJo Simmons]

You know what I mean? Like, I. I'm sure we can call anybody we want, but if we don't have no value, they're gonna say, oh, thank. Oh, yeah. Great to see you, nephew. Yeah, great to see you.

[Angela Simmons]

I mean, that's cute. I respect your dad. I respect your uncle and pat on the back.

[JoJo Simmons]

Right.

[Angela Simmons]

So nobody's just handing you nothing, and you gotta.

[JoJo Simmons]

You gotta do it yourself harder.

[Angela Simmons]

That's what they don't get. It's harder behind the scenes. Everything we want to do, we got to, like, get it done.

[JoJo Simmons]

And, you know, also I realized, too, is like, I had the same realization as you when I kind of got on my own grind and said, I got this on my own. Was Daddy also. Although dad and did everything he's supposed to do for us growing up, is not obligated to take care of anybody grown. Right. And when you realize that no man, woman, whether it's your parents, whether it's your friend, whoever, is not obligated to take care of you? No, it's just they want to. They want to, then they will. But in order to live the life you want to live, you got to work for it. You got to work hard for it. Nothing is, nothing on these sides is given to us. I'll say that. I'm sure there's a bunch of kids out there that have had everything handed to them, but that ain't this family. You know what I mean? Only thing we got handed to us was an opportunity and we take it and we run with it. You know what I mean? So after run's house, a lot of us took a step back, I would say myself, preferably more specifically, I needed a break. I feel like a couple of like Russie, everybody was kind of like we were in the spotlight too long. Let's take a little moment. What made you keep pushing as some of us like pause? Because I don't feel like you ever stop. I feel like you're always grinding. You've been grinding from runs house days. You never stop. You always got something new going on. What made you say I'm just never going to stop.

[Angela Simmons]

It's just is in me. And then like, you know, even when social media started, like for instance Instagram, when it started, I didn't get it for the audience, right. Like, I'm actually obsessed with like pictures and photos and stuff. So I had five followers. I was posting, hey, I'm in my car, I'm doing this. And so I grew my audience organically on it, right? But I didn't care who watched it. I just organically grew an audience. But I think because naturally as like a young female, I was just moving around, I was doing things, I was socializing, I was around other people. So I was out at the party, I was out at the events. And so it wasn't work to me. It felt like I just like what I'm doing. I'm around good people. And it was. And those, those are the rooms that allowed me to say, oh, I think you're dope. Let's do something together, right? I think this is cool. And so the more I got around more like business minded, like people, I was like, oh, this is cool. This could actually make profit, right? Or this could actually be something instead of me just saying it's a. I just like it. Like how do you make it something.

[JoJo Simmons]

You, you fell in love with the entrepreneurial spirit.

[Angela Simmons]

Yeah, I didn't even know that's what it was then, you know what I'm saying? Like I was Just you just hustling.

[JoJo Simmons]

You was just making it happen. You had to pay bills, you had to get. Get what you wanted in life. Right? You know what I'm saying?

[Angela Simmons]

I was having fun, though. Like, everything about it. Like, the fashion shows I put together, the things I was doing, I was doing it. Like, before, what I see now, I'm like, dang, I've been doing this. Even the. The content. Remember, I used to film my own stuff city and running around. Like, I just was doing it because I truly enjoyed it.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah. And what I will tell the people is she lives a fly life, and it's all funded by her hustle. Like, people see the fly cars, the fly apartments, the fly houses, the fly clothes, the fly this, she does this. She. She works hard. So just. Just keep that in mind when you see all this stuff that she grinding. You know what I mean? She grinding. I want to talk about physical fitness, health, all the stuff you like. Body. Let's talk about body image.

[Angela Simmons]

Okay.

[JoJo Simmons]

Growing up, I know I feel you had some insecurities a little bit. Growing up, 100%, you felt you were a little bigger. Growing up, 100%, it seems like now you're like the definition of confidence for people, which is dope. But, and I hate to say this, I brought this up to my team and they put it into questions. I said, you know, I felt bad because as a kid, when we used to argue, I used it against you. I used to say you were fat. And I'm sorry for that, by the way.

[Angela Simmons]

It's okay. I'm pretty grown now.

[JoJo Simmons]

But did that affect you? Did that play? Did me doing that, and you also thinking not the best of your body as a kid, did that affect you? Did that affect your trauma? Did that affect the way that you said, I'm going to make sure that I have a great body?

[Angela Simmons]

Naturally, I didn't think about it like that. I think, like, as a kid, anything someone does to you naturally, even like in your subconscious, it probably like, you know, like. Like you used to. You used to maybe say that to mess with me or grandpa used to say it back then, you know, I mean, like. Or I would hear it, but I also knew I was bigger than all y' all and not fat, but it felt fat, Right? So, like, I have my little journal and I used to write that down and I hated it. So I was like, okay. And that is how I made the change. I was like, when I moved to la, I was like, no more big stuff. Like, I just. I'm gonna And I didn't know how to get there. So I was eating still the Doritos and the. You know, like, bad. I didn't know, though. Like, New York City was giving fast life. Eat what you want, do what you want, and still get on the treadmill. Like, sis, you can't do that. You can't, right? So then that's when I met Mike T in la. And that him and I locked in. We were doing our YouTube stuff. I was in the gym two, three times a day and driving there back and forth. That's all I would do. I wake up, drive to him, go to. Not even go to sleep, go back all the way across. I'm in between the Valley and. And Hollywood, basically. Not even Hollywood, like Beverly Hills. Back and forth, back and forth, two times a day. Until all of a sudden, mommy thought something wrong with me. At that point.

[JoJo Simmons]

Why would she think something? Because she was a gym rat.

[Angela Simmons]

No, I got down to a double zero. Like, I got. I get, like. When I'm all in on something, I'm all in. So I got addicted to the Virgo process, right? So I was like, no sugar. Not even gum. Like, I was on one, right?

[JoJo Simmons]

There's zero sugar gums.

[Angela Simmons]

No, I didn't even want that. And to the point when I got home and, you know, everybody said, you moved to la, you change. I used to come home and Mommy be like, you need to eat something. Because you could see, like, my bones, like, because. Not because I was unhealthy, but I didn't know, like, I was just going extreme. But LA became, like, my place of, like, fitness and learning how to, like, be fit. And Mike taught me so much.

[JoJo Simmons]

He gave you the healthy balance.

[Angela Simmons]

He taught me how to eat and to work out.

[JoJo Simmons]

Okay.

[Angela Simmons]

And then after that, that became, like, my lifestyle and the blueprint. I just kept learning. But as a kid, I struggled with it terribly.

[JoJo Simmons]

Shout out Mike T. For. For getting Angela on. On deck.

[Angela Simmons]

Mike T. Train everybody now.

[JoJo Simmons]

So you've always been heavy on wellness, mind, body and spirit.

[Angela Simmons]

Yeah.

[JoJo Simmons]

Why is this so central to your work?

[Angela Simmons]

Because if you feel good, then everything else follows. Like, right. I think, like, you miserable. You really can't, like, getting undone. Like, I mean, not genuine, you know, I think people who are their happier self produce happier environments and more grows there. Like, what crops grow in, like, a bad area?

[JoJo Simmons]

Nothing.

[Angela Simmons]

So it's like, I feel like, for me, the better I feel, the better everybody else can feel. The better mom I can be, the better friend. I could be, the best I can Be if I'm crappy mood, bro, I'm tuned out.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah.

[Angela Simmons]

Don't want to talk to nobody. I'm not in the mood. You can't create. You can't create. It's not the right way to create.

[JoJo Simmons]

Do you create a routine for yourself? Because me, personally, I do. Like, I wake up before everybody else. I make sure my mind is right. I go to the gym every morning. The gym is essential to me for my mental health. Because like you said, feel good, look good, you know, you be good. Your brain, your mental good. And I think it plays a heavy part. So, like, is there a routine that you take to make sure that you are good? To be able to pour out positivity into everybody else?

[Angela Simmons]

Super regimented. Like, if I'm home, even when I'm on the road, I still find that regimen, like, whatever that is, that regimen there when I'm away. Meditation. Gotta pray. Gotta listen to positive stuff first thing in the morning. Don't want to look at my social media first thing. Like, I take the time to, like, cultivate the mind first, and then it's straight to body. So then after that, it's like, I'm in the gym, and if I don't do it, I literally start to feel, like, dirty. Like, I think some. Like, if I miss, like, two days, I'm like, something, right. My mood's off. Like, I got a sweat. I'm addicted.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah.

[Angela Simmons]

People like, what's your advice, bro? It's 100% the gym, and it's been for a long time. And I don't know any other addiction I have except that other than working.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah. You know, the wild part about the gym is it's true. I think once you reach. Once you go past that plateau of, like, forcing yourself to go, it becomes like, a part of you, right?

[Angela Simmons]

Yeah.

[JoJo Simmons]

And then you feel wrong for not going. You feel wrong for missing a day, you feel wrong for missing two.

[Angela Simmons]

Like, you in trouble.

[JoJo Simmons]

You feel like you're in trouble.

[Angela Simmons]

But I've been in trouble with myself, so I do be mad.

[JoJo Simmons]

Oh, me too. But. But that's what. That's why we push ourselves, because we know the results are there. And results only come through hard work. But if you don't work, then all those results mean nothing because they all go away. You know what I mean?

[Angela Simmons]

You start looking, my abs is fading. You like, bro, let me get back in this gym.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah, yeah, I've been like that. Like, let me make sure that I'm watching my calorie intake to Keep these abs popping.

[Angela Simmons]

It's a balance.

[JoJo Simmons]

Speaking of the gym, wellness and all that, you know you and I are both plant based, right? How has being vegan changed your life?

[Angela Simmons]

Well, I won't lie, I'm vegan. Vegetarian a little bit, but I'm vegetarian, so I've been. People don't realize I've been like on this vegan vegetarian journey since over 20 years or how long? Maybe 18. Like long. So it, you just feel different. Like it's. I don't know how to explain it. It's like I don't have, like, it don't. You don't feel as heavy, you just feel lighter. You think differently. I mean, but everyone is different. I always say, like, cuz sometimes meat works for some people and some people need it. Like, I don't give out.

[JoJo Simmons]

I think we all need.

[Angela Simmons]

But for me, I'm good. What I love is that like, I always wanted sj, my son Sutton, to be vegetarian or vegan. And so I was like, yeah, but I should probably just let him do his thing and let him decide so that he don't say I made him. And so one day recently in the summer, he decided he's not eating meat no more. I'm like, it's a lie.

[JoJo Simmons]

I'm happy for him.

[Angela Simmons]

But he, he heard something from a young lady that was in his camp and she told him how chicken nuggets were made. And he said, they're made with all the worst parts of the chicken.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yes, it is.

[Angela Simmons]

And he said, I'm never eating it again.

[JoJo Simmons]

Okay.

[Angela Simmons]

And he has not ate it since. And so now we're on the same diet. I'm like making sure he gets his protein, all that stuff. But like, I love that it was his decision and I didn't make that decision for him. But being like plant based or like vegan, it's, it's a difference. You feel different.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah.

[Angela Simmons]

People think you won't have energy.

[JoJo Simmons]

Like, no, you do energize a lot of things. People think. So I agree. I'm vegetarian, not vegan, but eat vegan food. Obviously. Being a vegetarian and proud sj, I did see like when they went over to Mom's, you know, Mia's vegetarian, Mia's a pescatarian, but she eats the vegan food, so they were able to do it together. And I think she's happy that her cousin does it as well. But for me it's the same. I feel lighter, I feel good. And I think people don't understand I don't have a Problem with meat, I think there's a lot of nutrients and things that you need that you get out of meat. But there's also a lot of alternatives out here. If you are plant based, you just gotta go research. A lot of people are too afraid to educate themselves and research on, you know, lentils and chickpeas and all this stuff and stuff that has a lot of protein in it. You know what I mean? There's a lot of things where you.

[Angela Simmons]

Gonna get the protein, right?

[JoJo Simmons]

There's a lot of.

[Angela Simmons]

I've been living like this for a.

[JoJo Simmons]

Long time and you definitely could still gain. Like, you can see me, I look good, you know, in the gym and I don't eat any meat.

[Angela Simmons]

Bodybuilders that do it.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah, of course.

[Angela Simmons]

It's not. It's easy. It's not easy. But you have to be something you want to do. It does take discipline if you don't want to do it.

[JoJo Simmons]

Oh, it takes super discipline. You know, Tenise started us up and then we just kind of ran with it. And like I said, I don't. My. My brain doesn't feel as foggy. I have a lot of energy. You feel different if you just feel different. Nothing against, nothing against the meat eaters. Pause.

[Angela Simmons]

But I tell people, do what works.

[JoJo Simmons]

For them, do what works for you, do what works for you.

[Angela Simmons]

And no judgment. I'm not a judger.

[JoJo Simmons]

Me neither. I don't know. It's what this podcast, Judgment Free Zone.

[Angela Simmons]

You like it? I love it.

[JoJo Simmons]

If you want to eat Doritos and Coca Cola for breakfast, that's. That's on you. You know what I mean? So speaking as J, we about to get a little real here. Motherhood.

[Angela Simmons]

Get out. I'm just joking.

[JoJo Simmons]

So you're raising SJ as a single mother?

[Angela Simmons]

Yes. Correct.

[JoJo Simmons]

After losing his father.

[Angela Simmons]

Correct.

[JoJo Simmons]

Even though you guys weren't fully together towards the end, there was still a huge loss. How did that shape you? Like, how did that affect everything?

[Angela Simmons]

It changed me as a person. I had never experienced other than like our grandfather, like, lost that close. So it changes you, you, you, you. You question everything. You're like, I didn't have a child to raise him alone. You know, I think no one does. But to raise them alone to this capacity is like another level, you know? And his father's name is the same as his, so I didn't know how I would say his name ever again. Like, in my head, I was like, whoa, this is nuts. Like, I don't even know where to start. But I say, I Always owe it to therapy. You know, obviously, God and prayer. But therapy. I went into therapy the day after it happened. Like, immediately. It was the only way for me to, like, start processing what was in my head. I was like, I'm numb. I can't feel my body immediately. Like, after, I just was sitting there. I was waking up, and every day I was just hoping it was like a bad dream. I'm like, is this real? And then, you know, once I started going to therapy and breaking down, like, just how I felt, because there were things I needed to say to his dad that I didn't get to say or how I'm gonna do this. Like, there was so much.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah, I remember my last. Where I. So I'm gonna tell you my memory of it. Obviously, I was there when you found out, when the call came.

[Angela Simmons]

Oh, my God. I don't even remember seeing you. Do you understand how I blacked out to the ground?

[JoJo Simmons]

And I was so hurt for you. But what hurt me was I was a little upset with him for little small things, which I had no problem, but I was a little upset as a brother would be, right. For little things. And I. Last time I saw him was at SJ's birthday party.

[Angela Simmons]

Yep.

[JoJo Simmons]

And I kind of ignored him because I was upset, because I was like, I'll have a conversation with him when it's time. And his last words to me was, aight, bro, hold it down. And I remember sitting in the kitchen after it happened, and I teared, cried my eyes out to Tanise, and I said his last words to me was, hold it down.

[Angela Simmons]

That's crazy.

[JoJo Simmons]

And then I think of sj, and I'm like. It was like. He was like, yo, hold it down for me.

[Angela Simmons]

It's crazy.

[JoJo Simmons]

And I tear up now thinking about it. It's like, no matter if we were him, I were close. We weren't. We didn't have no bad relationship. He was a cool guy. But those last words shook me when I. When I went. Yeah, they shook me. And I, you know, I cried, you know, into Tunisian. She came and hugged me. And I was like, man, like, I have to make sure that I have a relationship with sj. Always.

[Angela Simmons]

Yeah.

[JoJo Simmons]

You know what I mean? Because that was where his last words to me was, hold it down. And I just remember it. And still I see his face and just him saying it. So that's, you know, what I remember about it.

[Angela Simmons]

It's definitely. It's a. It's a life process. Like, something like that. That's not.

[JoJo Simmons]

And not Just for you, for all of us. Yeah.

[Angela Simmons]

And I think people don't. They don't even realize, like, you. You see someone strong. You see them doing everything and holding down, but you don't know what it takes to, like, get up every day and say, all right, back on. Let's go. Like, you know what I mean? Even coming out of the beginning of that was, like, rough. Like, okay, where do I start at?

[JoJo Simmons]

Right, Right.

[Angela Simmons]

You know what I mean? Like, I'm gonna.

[JoJo Simmons]

Because now you're a single mother, but.

[Angela Simmons]

You don't have a choice.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah.

[Angela Simmons]

Single, single. Not single mother. Because dad ain't there, but that it's not coming back.

[JoJo Simmons]

Right.

[Angela Simmons]

So it's like. It's another level. And even explaining stuff to him is like, another level.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah.

[Angela Simmons]

Of conversation.

[JoJo Simmons]

What's the hardest part about, you know, being a single mother that nobody talks about?

[Angela Simmons]

Who do you share everything with? You understand? And the other day, I was like, geez, when it comes to making decisions, although I have you and I have dad and have everybody, it.

[JoJo Simmons]

How do you do this?

[Angela Simmons]

I'm the final word.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah. You called me about a lot of things. What do I do it? Should I.

[Angela Simmons]

But I'm still the final word. It's like the weirdest, eeriest thing. And it's like every time he does something, I think in the beginning, I was like, who's gonna be proud with me? Like, that was a process.

[JoJo Simmons]

We'll always be proud with you, you know?

[Angela Simmons]

But I'm just saying, like, I know what you mean. When it's somebody's seed.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah.

[Angela Simmons]

They're like, I waited for this. You know what I mean? So it's that. That. That is a hard part. And then his questions, like, who is he? This, that shoes, this? You know, like, just questions.

[JoJo Simmons]

So speaking about dad, myself, Uncle Diggy, Uncle Russie, everybody.

[Angela Simmons]

Right.

[JoJo Simmons]

I obviously try to step up as much as I can to be in SJ's life. I know. I know I can do better just because he's further. I mean, I want. You know, I've always. Last summer, I said, let me take him to Florida. Took him to Florida, and he met us out there. So I always try to make sure. But how important is it that the family is very supportive in helping you with us? Because I know, oh, 10 days he goes with mom, then 10 more days he goes with dad in the summer. And so, like, how important is that? Yeah, he's with Sutton, his mother, a lot. So how important is that for you to have that support from family? Because some people don't have it super important.

[Angela Simmons]

Blessed that we have a large family and blessed that everybody's tight knit and able to kind of like, you know, play and cover all the bases. Cause like, when it's time, it's like, all right, Esha, you going to Nana's house. Okay. Going to my mom, our mom's house. You're going to Gigi's house. You're going to G Momo's house. You're going with dad. Like, you get it moved around and everybody got the same amount of love for you. So probably a little too much spoiling.

[JoJo Simmons]

But, oh, my God, spoiling. Daddy would bring them to go get candy and stuff. I mean, he FaceTime me. Look, I'm going. We're going to see. CVS is his favorite store. I don't know why he brings the CVS to get stuff. They got toys, candy, got it all there.

[Angela Simmons]

I'm like, where papa be taking you to go shopping? I told you what you be getting. Never mind. Go back to your iPad.

[JoJo Simmons]

You know? You know, Daddy will just get the money. I remember one time. This is a true story. And he's so old school, Mia must have texted him, hey, papa, can I have some money for Roblox? Roblox, Roblox. This was years ago. And he calls me and he goes, hey, I'm wiring Mia some. I said, wiring Mia some money. You can't just cash at me some quick money? No, I'm gonna wire a few hundred dollars. I said, daddy, she don't need it. He said, no, just, you know, put it away for something, you know, just keep on getting the word.

[Angela Simmons]

I got a wire.

[JoJo Simmons]

I said, a wire for Mia is crazy for Roblox as well.

[Angela Simmons]

Yeah. He got a gift card waiting on him right now that g mom sent to him that he doesn't know how to cash in.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah. You know, Mia's been killing me all week with the Roblox.

[Angela Simmons]

They are. Yeah, I'm sick of the Roblox.

[JoJo Simmons]

Speaking of Mia and sj, they're super close. And I remember when you lived in Jersey, they were even closer. They literally have been raised like brother and sister.

[Angela Simmons]

Rick and Frack.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah. Can you explain your relationship with them both? Like, what is that like. Like to you? Are they like a mini version of you and myself?

[Angela Simmons]

You know, when you look at things like that, they probably could be because Mia definitely has your, like, spicy temperament. And she will challenge you. And I'll be. I'll be like, come here.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah, me is crazy.

[Angela Simmons]

I tell her. And she just look at me like. I'm like, listen here.

[JoJo Simmons]

You don't do this. That's the tenise in her too.

[Angela Simmons]

Like, but these two essay and her, like, they good when they good, but they get there to argue. It's like me, you, but I ain't arguing.

[JoJo Simmons]

We didn't argue about it. So I told my team, I said, yeah, but when we were kids, I'll never forget this. You were bullying me, and I kicked you with two feet to the wall.

[Angela Simmons]

I used to hit you. Yeah, we fought.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah. Now you stopped after I kicked you with two feet to the wall. Like I was.

[Angela Simmons]

That was when daddy yelled at me.

[JoJo Simmons]

I drop kicked you so hard. Yeah. So hard. Because you was bullied. You used to bully me.

[Angela Simmons]

You were smaller than me, but you used to do. Used to be like, annoying the little brother. Yeah, you were annoying.

[JoJo Simmons]

Kicked you to the wall so bad. I remember feeling so bad because mommy was like, you don't hit girls. I was like, mommy, she was bullying.

[Angela Simmons]

I used to slap them. I don. Were thinking you would mean to me. I don't think Vanessa was fighting ring leader.

[JoJo Simmons]

She would never like us fighting.

[Angela Simmons]

It was like us fighting.

[JoJo Simmons]

She's the same how she physically fight. Yeah. So you see? You see why SJ and Mia.

[Angela Simmons]

Oh, man, I do forget.

[JoJo Simmons]

They had 10 days together. And by day seven, Mommy was like, yeah.

[Angela Simmons]

One of them got Mia try to throw him over the fences, but SJ don't put his hands on her. He's like, he's your girl, so he don't want to, you know, I'm like, what are you talking. They calling me. I'm like, an interview. I'm doing something.

[JoJo Simmons]

Nothing beats last summer. I'm not gonna talk about last summer. But Mia and SJ are crazy. They have gotten a dynamic duo, but they're weird because they're arguing. Still want to play with each other.

[Angela Simmons]

Right after it was the fight. And then they sent a picture of them just what the heck? They like Step brothers, the movie that they got hit. One got hit in the eye. What's wrong with y', all, bruh?

[JoJo Simmons]

They were arguing on iPad. SJ won't let me do this. I said, so hang up on him for a little bit. Like, take a break. No, but I want to play with him. Okay, so then don't come to me about it.

[Angela Simmons]

That's what I do. I say, hang up on. She's being rude. 15 minutes.

[JoJo Simmons]

No, what about. I'm not gonna talk about what he said, but the 10 things Mia and.

[Angela Simmons]

Ava said to me they were out of pocket.

[JoJo Simmons]

He sent a list of 10 things me and Ava said to him when they were arguing. He was upset and sent it to me, too.

[Angela Simmons]

I seen it. They got it.

[JoJo Simmons]

Hilarious. But I do love their relationship. I love that we keeping them tight knit like dad taught us is no matter arguing or when they're happy, they're close. And I know when they get older, they're going to be looking out for each other. And I know when they get older, SJ is going to be that cousin. Like how I'm that brother where it's like, don't touch Ava or Mia or it's over. Oh, I know.

[Angela Simmons]

Did you hear their plan?

[JoJo Simmons]

What's their plan?

[Angela Simmons]

They're all living together.

[JoJo Simmons]

Yeah, they're crazy.

[Angela Simmons]

They're buying.

[JoJo Simmons]

And they're going to college together, too.

[Angela Simmons]

But in la, Mia told me. They said, you're going to live in la. They're getting a house.

[JoJo Simmons]

Oh, yeah. Me. Oh, Vegas is horrible. Sj, why would you. I'm not horrible.

[Angela Simmons]

Let me say horrible.

[JoJo Simmons]

I love Vegas. But what I'm saying is for you guys. What are you trying to gamble?

[Angela Simmons]

What do you want to go to Vegas?

[JoJo Simmons]

I didn't mean Vegas Hall. Vegas is a great place.

[Angela Simmons]

What do you want to go to Vegas for? So who planned the Vegas part? They said they were getting a house together. Teslas. They must have changed that.

[JoJo Simmons]

Mia told me they're all going to college together, which I love. That fact, though Mia's already planned is I'm going to college. She's like, we're going to college.

[Angela Simmons]

You going to college. Okay, good, because a lot of these.

[JoJo Simmons]

Young kids don't even think about college.

[Angela Simmons]

He told me he wasn't going at first. I said, we're not doing that.

[JoJo Simmons]

He said, she's going to college, but she's only going if she can dorm with Ava.

[Angela Simmons]

They will be a mess. All on.

[JoJo Simmons]

I don't know.

[Angela Simmons]

You can be in a boy.

[JoJo Simmons]

I don't know if it's gonna be a co ed dorm, sj, but. All right, sorry.

[Angela Simmons]

I had to give it back on track, though.

[JoJo Simmons]

But now, like I said, I'm happy that all three of them are super close. And obviously we've got some more little nieces and nephews on the way. We got other siblings. We got Babylon. We got baby Narmelo, too. We got Tiffany's little baby boy, Baby Narmel. But what I'm saying is we have other siblings. No, it's good that may still have babies, you know, eventually. Yeah, not right now. We don't have any. So don't get excited, Diggy. Don't have a baby on the way, ladies. Don't worry, he's still available now.

[Angela Simmons]

He's still available. Not just selling him out. He's still available.

[JoJo Simmons]

All right, I want to get into the reels now. The real we talk about relationship and dating, and this is gonna be hard for me a little bit too, because I don't like talking relationship with my sister.

[Angela Simmons]

Interesting.

[JoJo Simmons]

So a lot of people would say this and I would. I would kind of agree. Sometimes I feel like you don't have a type, but you're drawn towards. I would use the word protectors. Some people may use the word gangster thug. Little bit of a hard knock, if that's how you know that's what the people would call it. But what makes you so attracted to. I would call them once again, protectors. Like guys that are a little bit tougher, guys that are a little bit rougher, guys that play in the street a little bit more than the others. But before you answer that, I know y' all want that answer. Y' all gonna have to wait till part two to get the rest of this interview on the for good. Podcast.

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