Vanessa Simmons
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Vanessa Simmons was a hit during her stint on Guiding Light.

Now, the daughter of Reverend Run, Vanessa Simmons is to starring in The Actor's Rap, a new major off-Broadway production written, produced, and directed by playwright and Obie-Award winning actor J Kyle Manzay.

The hip-hop infused comedy - where pop culture meets satire - examines the downward spiral of an African-American actor who begins to lose roles (and girlfriend) to a famous rapper-turned-actor. Fed up, the play's protagonist takes matters into his own hands by hatching a plan to kidnap his rival by calling upon his classically trained actor buddies to help him pull off the caper.

The major Off-Broadway production of The Actors Rap debuted last at the Engleman Recital Hall of the Baruch Performing Arts Center and runs until March 1.

The phenomenon of rappers turned actors has been prevalent since Run DMC starred in Fat Boys, or when Krush Groove was cast.

"I think that it's good that people are giving rappers the opportunity to be film stars, but at the same time I feel that because of a name, real hard working actors miss out on great parts where they know they can deliver," said Simmons.

Vanessa Simmons is loving her time on Guiding Light so far.

“The opportunity just sort of came along," Simmons said. "They asked if I wanted to audition for the show, so I went in and I did the screen test and they called me like two months later … and asked me if I could come and do stuff for the summer.  It's been a really, really great experience.  I never imagined working on a soap opera would be so much fun."

On Guiding Light, Simmons plays Lola, is a young woman who's drawn to Remy Boudreau (Lawrence Saint-Victor).

“She's a little bit different,” Vanessa continued. “She's been a lot of fun to play, though.  I don't think she's quite sure of herself or who she really is.  She's trying to be this bad girl. And I'm like, Geesh.

This is so opposite of me! How do I really get into this?  But it's been fun. I get very anxious when they tell me they're going to send my script.  I'm like, ‘Oh, God, what's she going to do next?'”

As the daughter of former rapper - and current reverend - Joseph Simmons, Vanessa Simmons is familiar with fame.

But her new role as Lola on Guiding Light is the model's first foray into the daytime world. She recently talked to Soap Opera Digest about the experience so far...

Soap Opera Digest: Is this role a result of your meeting with Guiding Light Casting Director Rob Decina back in December?
Vanessa Simmons: The opportunity just sort of came along. They asked if I wanted to audition for the show, so I went in and I did the screen test and they called me like two months later ... and asked me if I could come and do stuff for the summer. It's been a really, really great experience. I never imagined working on a soap opera would be so much fun.

Digest: A person in your position has tons of opportunities, especially in fashion and music. Why acting?
Simmons: Acting makes me feel free. I can't explain the feeling I get, like the adrenaline rush when I'm actually doing it and then when it's all over I feel just like yelling! It's so much fun! It's always been like that for me. When I get scripts and go to auditions and being on the Guiding Light set is just this dream come true and so amazing. I can't explain it.

Digest: Tell us about Lola.
Simmons: She's a little bit different [laughs]. She's been a lot of fun to play, though. I don't think she's quite sure of herself or who she really is. She's trying to be this bad girl. And I'm like, "Geesh. This is so opposite of me! How do I really get into this?" But it's been fun. I get very anxious when they tell me they're going to send my script. I'm like, "Oh, God, what's she going to do next?"

Digest: This is your first acting experience. What was it like walking on to the Guiding Light set for the first time?
Simmons: I've been preparing for this, I feel like, all my life. Now to just finally have it there in front of me is just so exciting. I thought I was going to be nervous. When I woke up, of course, the first morning to do it — I woke up at 4:30 [a.m.], couldn't sleep, kept reading over my lines. And then I got there and my co-stars made me really comfort