The Caribbean queen with dreams as big as the sky and a heart even bigger. Whether it’s keeping the energy high with a cup of tea and a dose of yoga or navigating the wild ride of Zeus Network sets, she’s always got a trick up her sleeve and a smile on her face.
From impromptu dance-offs at the Crucian Christmas Festival to daring photo shoots in pitch-black rainforest rivers, Janeisha John has seen it all and lived to tell the tale. Reflecting on her journey, she shares pearls of insight garnered along the way. But amidst the glitz and glam, she’s kept her roots firmly planted, drawing strength from her Caribbean heritage and the unwavering support of loved ones. Here’s to Janeisha John, the epitome of boundless talent. It’s a journey of growth, resilience, and the unwavering commitment to forge new paths, no matter where the road may lead. Buckle up as she shares tales of island escapades, unforgettable moments, and the sheer magic of following her passions.
Team Credits:
Creative Director and Stylist: Aria Garcia @Fashionsinstorage
Associate Creative Director & Jewelry by: Charles Calzada @charliedirectsstyles
Makeup: David Rodriguez @drodbeauty
Hair: Candice Hudson @Cece_son
Set Design: @Manerkstudios
Welcome to L’Officiel India! From island vibes to Hollywood glitz, we’d love for you to describe your wild journey with our readers and what’s been the most unexpected twist in your career so far?
Hi L’Officiel India!! It’s such an honor to be sharing my story with you! My journey began on a small 84-square-mile island in the Caribbean called St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. I was born into a family of entrepreneurs who also loved the entertainment business. Although the family business is a bakery & restaurant, my parents always encouraged my sisters and I to start performing and being involved in entertainment at a very young age. I started out dancing professionally at 4 years old and immediately fell in love with being on the stage and in front of the cameras. From there I went on to run for a multitude of pageants in the Virgin Islands, a total of 12 pageants, with my most revered title being Miss US Virgin Islands and becoming the very first Miss VI to compete at both Miss Universe and Miss America!
Pageantry eventually led to me hosting local television shows on both PBS and CBS-affiliated networks in the Virgin Islands. I then moved to NYC, two weeks after competing in the Miss Universe pageant, to pursue modeling and hosting, and I eventually landed a hosting gig for a Caribbean network called TEMPO. NY was an experience of a lifetime but after 2 years and 2 brutal winters, this Caribbean girl moved back home to figure out my next move and ended up at the local news station, working as a general news reporter, for about a year. Then my best friend, who has always pushed me to follow my dreams, bought me a one-way ticket to LA for my birthday in December 2012 and told me I had until April 2013 to use it. So, I saved every penny I could, and with the continued support and love from my family & friends, I moved across the country by myself to LA. Now 11 years later, I’ve done everything from commercial acting, and print & runway modeling, to hosting events, red carpets, reunions, and shows; and now I’m a Producer, Host, and Marketing Executive at one the top African American-owned streaming networks, the Zeus Network. There have been many ups and downs along the way but overall, my journey has been one of hard work, dedication, honesty, and perseverance.
Hosting gigs in the Caribbean must have been a treasure trove of unforgettable experiences. Can you share a hilarious “only in the islands” story that still cracks you up to this day?
I definitely have been blessed to experience several unforgettable experiences like crawling into hidden caves, scuba diving and even playing with live snakes, all while hosting a show called “Rediscover St. Croix”. But one “Only in the Virgin Islands” moment that comes to mind is while hosting our Crucian Christmas Festival Adult’s Parade, my fellow cohosts and I always stop hosting, to jump in the “Tramp”, which is basically where all the spectators join in on the festivities and dance to Calypso and Soca music. We end up jamming behind a live band or DJ on a big truck, all the way to the end of the parade route. It’s our way of closing out the parade and a way for everyone to join in on the fun!!
Also, there’s this one time when our creative team thought it would be a good idea to finish shooting our previous publication in the middle of a river, in the rain forest, AT NIGHT, with no street lights (only in the Virgin Islands) and only one spotlight to take the photos. It was pitch black!! Looking back, it was crazy of us to do, but the photos came out beautifully. So, the sacrifice for ART was well worth it! Kudos to the team!
If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice before diving into this crazy entertainment world, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to always trust her intuition & gut and to take those leaps of faith sooner because she is truly capable of all the things she dreams of and aspires to be. I would let my younger self know that her full potential is a gift, and that she should never dim her light to make others comfortable, because it’s ok to shine her brightest light into the world, unapologetically! Lastly, I would let her know that she’s going to be so PROUD of the woman she becomes!!
Can you reveal one secret trick you learned to keep the energy high during those long filming days?
Honestly, yoga, tea, and quotes keep me going every single day, especially on long filming work days. I always try to dedicate my mornings to yoga, meditation, and light exercises, but first I always pour a cup of tea and read a positive quote or affirmation. It helps me to set the tone for my day in a positive way and also allows me to exercise patience and grace, which in turn helps with keeping that energy HIGH on long filming days.
Let’s talk Zeus Network! With shows like “Baddies” and “Joseline’s Cabaret” under your belt, you must’ve had some epic moments on set. Care to spill the tea on the funniest blooper you’ve witnessed while filming?
You never know what to expect on any Zeus set! There have been so many loud and epic moments on set, but one of my absolute funniest memories was on Baddies East Auditions, when cast member Tesehki was auditioning for the show and she got into it with another cast member on the stage and then came out in my interview setup, screaming “I EATS” while scooping her invisible bowl with her invisible spoon in hand, at my camera lol. My face looked like I was completely dumbfounded, lost, and shocked because I had no idea what was going on, and was trying to figure out what the hell went down on the audition stage. Needless to say, that moment went viral and officially coined Tesehki’s “I EATS” quote!
As someone who’s worked in both Caribbean and LA entertainment scenes, what’s the biggest cultural difference you’ve noticed, and how has it influenced your approach to your work?
Well, when you grow up on a small island, you tend to develop a really deep sense of community and family, and so your relationships and your support system are very immense and are a key part of how we live and thrive in the Caribbean. Simply because everyone knows everyone. I think my biggest culture shock was having to rebuild my name in entertainment in LA, with people who had no idea who I was or knew anything about my past and culture. I only knew a handful of people out here in LA. So, after living my whole life knowing everyone around me on my island and throughout the Caribbean, it definitely was different to experience. It has shown me the importance of being able to build and maintain new relationships in this industry and it was a reminder that to excel in anything you do, you have to be willing to do the work, pay your dues, even if it means starting over sometimes.
As a seasoned pro in the entertainment biz. Who’s the most memorable person you’ve ever interviewed, and what made them stand out?
I haven’t interviewed her just yet (putting it out into the universe that it will happen soon though lol), but the most memorable person I’ve met would have to be the Caribbean queen herself, Rihanna. We recently met at a donor dinner for the Hollywood Cares Foundation. She recognized me from Zeus and genuinely took a private moment to give encouraging words and pour love and support into me, as a fellow Caribbean queen. She’s truly a girl’s girl! God bless her.
What exciting projects or plans do you have in the pipeline for the near future? Any sneak peeks or tantalizing hints you can drop for us eager fans?
Well as for me personally, I do have my swim/resort wear line that I’ve been working on, coming soon. I’m very excited to be tapping into fashion, design, and my entrepreneurial bag. So, look out for it. As for Zeus, we have some really great projects in the works, coming soon! So, stay tuned!!
Lastly, what’s the one piece of advice you’d like to give your fans out there?
In this journey of life, always remember that with determination, perseverance, and a heart of gold, you can and will succeed. By staying determined and focused on your goals, while persevering and never giving up no matter what, all while maintaining a pure, honest heart and good character… you have no choice but to ultimately win in life. So steadfast to who you are at the core, and never lose yourself, because you are already EVERYTHING!
To the fans Thank you for supporting me and thank you L’Officiel India for this opportunity!
