Rev Run and Justine Simmons, a power couple in both the music and television industries, have an enduring love story. From the early days of the iconic group, Run-DMC, to the reality TV spotlight, their relationship has stood the test of time. Rev Run and his wife are grounded in faith, family values, and mutual respect. Altogether, they’re one of the most enduring couples in the industry. Let’s take a journey through their inspiring relationship.
Joseph Simmon, famously known as Rev Run, and Justine Jones crossed paths for the first time while they were teenagers. The pair met at a Kurtis Blow concert where Joseph was performing, and Justine immediately fell for him. Intrigued, she and her friends went backstage to meet him and get an autograph. After that, she handed a flier with her number written on it to a woman and asked her to give it to Joseph. He called her the very next day and despite the long distance, they became friends. They called and wrote letters, and in one of them, Justine promised to marry Joseph one day. Sadly, they drifted apart.
Years later, after Joseph had made a name for himself as Rev Run, and his rap career had blown up, the two miraculously reunited. Fate seemed to have had plans for them, using Joseph’s cousin and Justine’s sister to reconnect the long-lost lovers. Soon after, Justine and Rev Run began attending church together and soon started a relationship. While Rev Run had been married and freshly divorced, he entered the relationship with an open heart, ready to love. Evidently, it paid off as they’ve been together ever since.
The culmination of their love story took place on June 25, 1994, when Rev Run and Justine exchanged vows in a beautiful ceremony. This marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment, and the couple embraced the journey ahead with enthusiasm and dedication. Along with Rev Run came his three children from his previous marriage: Vanessa, Angela, and Joseph “Jojo” Ward. Justine welcomed them with open arms. The couple went on to have their first child together a year later -- Daniel Dwayne “Diggy” Simmons III, on March 21, 1995. Two years later, their second son, Russell Simmons II, was born on August 30, 1997.
As their family grew, so did their public presence. The Simmons family opened their doors to the public in 2005 through the reality television series Run’s House. Rev Run became one of the first rap OGs to have their own reality show. Run’s House famously ran for four years and provided viewers with a candid and heartwarming glimpse into their lives. Altogether, the show showcased their daily joys, challenges, and their hilarious family dynamics. The reviews were positive, with fans loving the representation, emphasis on faith, and the enduring bonds that held the Simmons family together.
Rev Run and Justine were open and honest about everything. They made a point to show the world everything they were going through. In 2006, the couple welcomed Victoria Anne Simmons. She was born through cesarean section. Victoria sadly passed away shortly after birth due to omphalocele, a birth defect that causes organs to grow outside the body. The entire birth and death were documented by the camera crew of the show, a vulnerable leap at the time. In September 2007, the couple adopted a baby and named her Miley Justine Simmons.
After Run’s House came to an end in 2009, the family pretty much waned from the public eye. Almost 10 years later, Rev Run announced that he and Justine would be starring in a Netflix series titled All About The Washingtons. The series was a short-lived, but lighthearted family sitcom that was a fictionalized take on their real-life dynamic. Rev Run played a retired rapper who was now navigating the challenges of being a stay-at-home dad. On the other hand, Justine’s character pursued her career. The series explored humorous situations, family dynamics, and the timeless theme of balancing work and home life. While it was loved by audiences, and brought the couple back into the spotlight, it was canceled after one season.
In 2020, the couple wrote and published a book titled Old School Love: And Why It Works. The book was a compelling and brutally honest exploration of their relationship. It delved into the timeless principles of love, respect, and commitment that have sustained their marriage for decades. Through personal anecdotes, insightful reflections, and the Holy Scriptures, Rev Run, and Justine Simmons offered invaluable wisdom on nurturing relationships with authenticity, communication, and a steadfast dedication to each other's happiness.
The book was a massive success, not only catapulting them to newfound levels of attention but also reaching the people who they believed most needed it. In an interview with EBONY, they revealed the inspirations for the book. Moreover, they shared their hopes for the book. “Joey and I wanted to help people in their marriages, so much so that we wanted to give them our all and say, ‘This is what we are doing and, hopefully, if you try it this way, it could help you in your own marriage,’” Justine said.
“We were blessed to have mentors that were trying to make their marriages work, so we had that early on to look at and see how to make our own marriage work. We just wanted to make sure we gave you all the lessons we've learned over the years,” she continued. The couple and family have since continued to thrive welcoming grandchildren. Above all, it seems Rev Run and Justine Simmons are the epitome of a joyous and thriving power couple.
NEWS
David Lee Roth made an unexpected appearance at the Stagecoach Festival on Saturday evening, stepping onto the stage with Teddy Swims to perform “Jump,” the iconic 1984 hit by Van Halen.
During his Stagecoach set, Swims welcomed Roth after running through his recent single “Mr. Know It All” along with “Some Things I’ll Never Know,” both taken from his debut studio album I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1), which arrived in September 2023.
This moment marked the third straight festival where the two have shared the stage. Swims previously invited Roth out during recent sets at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where he introduced him as “David Lee Roth from the best band of all time, Van Halen,” before they kicked into “Jump” together.
The latest performance unfolded during a chaotic night at Stagecoach, as strong winds earlier in the evening led to a temporary evacuation of the grounds and forced several changes to the schedule, including removing artists such as Journey and Riley Green from the lineup.
The evacuation came after powerful gusts swept through the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, the site of the festival. An “emergency evacuation” notice appeared on screens across the venue, urging attendees to “move quickly and calmly to the nearest exit,” while alerts sent through the festival’s official app instructed people to clear the area.
The interruption impacted several stages, with the Mane Stage sitting between sets when the evacuation alert was issued. Wind conditions had been intensifying throughout the day, with stronger gusts arriving in the evening as part of a regional wind advisory.
Even with the disruption, Swims’ set ultimately continued, and Roth’s surprise appearance stood out as one of the biggest highlights of the night as fans returned once the festival resumed.
Stagecoach, one of the largest country music festivals in the United States, takes place every year at the same location as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and regularly draws tens of thousands of fans.
