You may catch a glimpse of the fashion-conscious Jerika Vincent on “Let’s Make a Deal,” “2 Broke Girls,” or the popular teen mystery drama, “Pretty Little Liars.” Those are just a few of the programs this D’Iberville native has appeared on. But after five years in the fast-paced Los Angeles television scene, Vincent has returned to her roots — and created her own fashion lane on the Coast.
Vincent is pursuing her dream of producing and hosting her own show in her own hometown. She’s also checked off a couple of other big moves: Graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a marketing degree and found and married the love of her life, Cory Vincent.
Gulf Coast Woman asked Vincent’s show producer, Elaine Stevens, a veteran in television and seasoned writer, to get Vincent to open up about her new life. Stevens is not just the producer of “Jerika’s Fashion Showcase,” she is a mentor, role model and “motherly” figure to the young talent.
STEVENS: Jerika, I must admit when I first met you, I thought you were joking, bored, or completely uninformed when it came to producing a television show.
Boy, was I wrong! I have described you to many people, but how would you describe yourself?
VINCENT: I am a hard worker, first and foremost, and very passionate about television. I enjoy being around people who inspire me. I love the camera and I truly connect with people on and off camera. I seem to have a different interaction with people than most; I immediately become their go-to person. Maybe it’s because I am dedicated and loyal, especially to my family.
STEVENS: So where did this passion for performance come from and how did you manage to develop it over the years?
VINCENT: I started performing on stage and in front of the camera as a very young child with my sister, Kelli — who is now a top model in Los Angeles, Miami and New York — and my cousins. They were my first role models. If they took dance lessons, I took dance lessons; if they played sports, I played sports. If they went out for cheerleading, I did too. We even went so far as to put on talent shows for our very big family and charged admission. That’s where my people and selling skills started. I remember going from dance recitals to softball in full make-up. Back in the day, I remember changing costumes, dancing, performing, and my family would say, ‘Jerika, you are made for TV! TV is you!’
STEVENS: Would you describe yourself as self-competing, keeping score on yourself to do just one more thing to the “nth” degree?
VINCENT: I do compete with myself in every way. That’s what keeps me moving. But I believe in others succeeding, and I look for ways to help them succeed. That’s why “Jerika’s Fashion Showcase” is so important to me. I have always had a lot going on in my life. My friends keep asking, ‘Jerika, do you ever slow down?’ In the spring I was in the middle of final exams, planning my wedding at the White House Hotel, along with a final trip to Los Angeles to say goodbye to my friends at Paramount, and going into pre-production on my show!”
STEVENS: Where does that ‘I can do it all’ sense of confidence come from?
VINCENT: I have always been a multi-tasker. With the show, I am the account executive, executive producer, public relations and marketing manager, accountant, and host. I’ve never been shy. Living and working in Los Angeles built my confidence even more. I attribute the fantastic group of professionals on “The Doctors,” where I interned, for being my industry mentors and instilling in me more confidence, most especially the female producers I met and worked with. I knew if they did it, I could do it, too. Of course, my sister, Kelli, is my true inspiration and role model and always will be. She is the reason I went to Los Angeles in the first place for a vacation of two weeks that lasted over five years.
STEVENS: I know your sister, Kelli, and the Los Angeles fashion scene influenced your own personal fashion style. How did that translate into “Jerika’s Fashion Showcase”?
VINCENT: Yes, I learned a lot living in Los Angeles. But my grandmother, Ellie Warren, is actually the one who taught me about buying local, which is the show’s key message. Grandma took Kelli and me on shopping sprees and I learned about buying smart. Kelli would come out with one bag and I would come out with four! My grandmother is 76-years-old and looking fine; she has even modeled on my show. As a result of her influence, I was awarded best dressed in middle and high school several times.
