This Bed-Stuy native of Brooklyn, New York, began her theatrical training with the New York City Opera Children's Chorus. She went on to study at the High School for the Performing Arts in New York, during which time she began to perform in commercials and on stage.
Vanessa's first big break came when she was featured on "The Cosby Show" with Bill Cosby. Her role as asb'Jade Marsh' was so was so well received, that she was later brought back to the show in the role of "Cheryl Lovejoy," Theo's love interest.
At the same time, Vanessa was also performing in a number of New York stage productions including "Death And The King's Horseman" at the Lincoln Center, "Sarafina!" at the Cort Theatre, and Langston Hughes' "Mule Bone" at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. She also performed the unforgettable role of "Keisha" ('rock-a-bye baby!) along side Wesley Snipes and Allan Payne, in the feature film "New Jack City."
Vanessa trooped over to Los Angeles in the fall of 1991, to perform a supporting role in the horror film "Candyman". Then, in 1992, she landed a co-starring role as "Rhonda Blair" in the Fox Network's hit series "Melrose Place." Her other television credits include a regular role on the critically acclaimed Steven Bochco series "Murder One," and a recurring role on the award-winning series "Chicago Hope," both of which earned her NAACP Image Award nominations.
Vanessa also had starring roles in the BET original movies "Incognito" and "Playing With Fire," and guest-starring roles in SHOWTIME's TOTAL RECALL 2070, as well as "The Pretender," "NYPD Blue," "The Steve Harvey Show," "Malcolm and Eddie," "Livin' Single" and "Between Brothers." In addition, she will also be voicing a series regular role on the upcoming syndicated animation series "Heavy Gear."
Her film credits include Spike Lee's feature film "D.R.O.P. Squad," and Edmonds Entertainment's "Punks," in which she starred opposite her "Soul Food" co-star Rockmond Dunbar. She also appeared in Albert Brooks' "Mother," and a South African film entitled "Letting Go." Recently, she received accolades for her lead performance in the Acapulco Black Film Festival award-winning short film "Breakdown."
Vanessa is now taking on the role of 'Maxine' in the Showtime television series version of the film "Soul Food". The show is closely related to the movie and picks up the story of the Joseph family, where the film left off. Maxine is happily married to Kenny, and is the mother of three young children. Possessing the same passion and wisdom as her late Mama Joe, Maxine seems able to hold the family together through all their trials. Being the feisty middle sister, she provides the nurturing her younger sister, Bird, craves, and the reality checks her older sister, Teri, needs.
Vanessa is presently writing songs and poetry for her debut album.
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