Lauren Jones

Lauren Lorraine Jones
Born Lauren Lorraine Jones
Jackson, Mississippi, United States
Residence Los Angeles
New York City
Occupation Shoe Designer, Model, Actress, Entrepreneur
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Website
Official Lauren Lorraine Jones Web Site
Lauren Lorraine Shoes
Private
Industry Shoes retail
Founded 2013
Key people
Lauren Lorraine Jones; CCO, Co-Founder, Fashion Director
Products Shoes
Revenue IncreaseUndisclosed USD
Website www.laurenlorraine.com

Lauren Lorraine Jones (born August 27, 1982) is an American fashion designer, model, former Barker's Beauty on The Price Is Right, former professional wrestler, former WWE Diva, actress in The Expendables, and the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of her eponymous brand product marketing company, Lauren Lorraine Shoes.

Early life

Jones was raised in Jackson, Mississippi, the only child of Deborah Pearsall and Jim Jones, and the granddaughter of "Ageless Hero" Gloria Martinson, founder of the non-profit organization, Gleaners, and Mike Martinson, Founder and CEO of the Dobbs Maynard Advertising Agency, who was often referred to as "The King Maker" due to his strong political influence and clout. Her mother is of Scandinavian descent. Her maternal great-grandparents immigrated to the US through Ellis Island from Oslo, Norway. Jones is also the great-niece of State Representative Rita Martinson (Madison, Mississippi). She attended junior high school at St. Andrew's in Ridgeland, Mississippi, where she played Juliet in a school production of William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. At age 14, Jones, accompanied by her parents, moved from Jackson to New York. At 17, Jones was encouraged to pursue an acting and modeling career, subsequently living in London, Boston, New York City and Los Angeles. She was a high school homecoming queen and a varsity cheerleader. By the time she graduated from high school, she was working steadily as a model.

She came to prominence initially after winning a national modeling contest sponsored by Seventeen magazine in 2000, and appearing on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.

In 2004 Jones earned a BBA degree in design and management from Parsons School of Design.[1] Jones completed a study abroad program at The University of Westminster in London, England and studied her JD at Mississippi College School of Law. While in NY obtaining her undergraduate degree, she concurrently studied theater, TV and film at various performing art schools including Weist-Barron.

Career

Jones is a fashion designer who has worked as a model, actress, product endorser, news anchor, shoe designer and has engaged in occasional business pursuits in the real estate market.

Model

Jones began modeling as a teen, initially as a commercial print model for national brands and often live at promotional events. When she was 19, she signed with the Gilla Roos modeling agency, in New York City. Jones has also worked with Wilhelmina Models in New Orleans and United Talent Agency in Los Angeles. She has appeared in numerous advertising campaigns, including Axe deodorant, Burger King, Coppertone sunscreen and Met-Rx, of which Jones is an endorser, holding the title of Miss Met-Rx 2007. She has appeared in several magazines, including the August 2009 issue of Maxim. In the same month, she also appeared in the high profile publication O: The Oprah Magazine.[2]

Jones has appeared in other magazines including Fortune, Seventeen, Sync, Men's Health, and Reps,[3] among others, as well as on the covers of Sound & Vision, LA Health News, Tyler Today, New Living, and The New York Sportscene.

Actress

Jones has appeared in a number of television and movie roles. In May 2009, Jones was cast in the star studded feature film The Expendables opposite Sylvester Stallone and Mickey Rourke as the character, Cheyenne, Mickey's love interest in the film. Jones was cast for the part of Cheyenne by Sylvester Stallone, who wrote, directed and starred in the film. The film was released in theaters August 13, 2010.

Jones guest appeared on Rescue Me in July 2008 & has previously appeared on the Nickelodeon TV series The Naked Brothers Band as Double X. Jones has also appeared on MTV2's Wonder Showzen, the soap opera Guiding Light, in the feature film Spider-Man 3, and as a Barker's Beauty on the CBS' game show The Price Is Right, where she appeared as a model for five weeks in April and May 2007 before leaving to film the TV show Anchorwoman. Jones has been the only model to play the piano during a live episode while concurrently showing the piano as a possible prize for a winning contestant.

In late 2004 – early 2005, Jones was offered work with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on its SmackDown! brand and participated in skits during the first ever SmackDown! Rookie Diva of the Year contest at No Way Out 2005. She was reportedly asked to continue with the company and participate in a scripted feud with Dawn Marie but was never in a match due to her asking for the release of her contract to pursue other activities.

On stage, Jones has played the parts of Marty Maraschino in the production of Grease and Ti Moon in Once on This Island. Jones has studied the performing arts at schools such as The Actors Studio, Weist Barron and Three of Us Studios in NYC.

Lauren Jones is also known as the star of Fox's Anchorwoman. The show debuted August 22, 2007 on FOX.[4]

Anchorwoman

Jones starred in the scripted/reality hybrid series Anchorwoman,[5] premiering on the Fox Broadcasting network August 22, 2007. Jones was cast as the principal role of Anchorwoman. The role was primarily scripted and part improvisational, with a great deal of comedic undertones. Some journalists voiced outspoken criticism of the scripted 30-day broadcast-news stunt at a small Tyler, Texas television station. Jones went on to interview with Bill O'Reilly on The O'Reilly Factor. The show was canceled from the network after airing two back to back episodes. The debut scored 2.0 rating on fast nationals, and reported to have 2.7 million viewers overall.[6]

Prior to filming Anchorwoman, Jones worked on the Baywatch workout video series, Baywatch Beach Body Workout, with Lauren Jones, which released in stores and on the Internet on December 4, 2007.

Endorsement

In October 2005, Jones was named the official spokesperson of "MET-Rx", a line of health supplements aimed at the fitness industry. She partnered with MET-Rx and collaborated in both health and fitness initiatives. She has been featured in the brands magalog (reaching over three million customers every month), and in the MET-Rx online community.

As of October 2008, Jones ended her endorsement with MET-Rx.

The Lauren Jones brand

Lauren Jones Footwear was founded in 2008. The brand started out as bridal footwear, and then featured a full lifestyle collection, including western boots. Lauren Jones handbags were added to the line in 2011.

Lauren Jones Footwear

Jones is the Designer, Creative Director and Co-Founder of the shoe line Lauren Jones Footwear. The line is best known for its feminine and whimsical designs, some of which are considered "over the top" and embellished, brought to the consumer at affordable price points. The line offers traditional looks as well.

Lauren Jones Footwear began as unconventional or fast forward bridal shoes and rapidly expanded after being picked up by major retailers across the nation in 2009. The collection now features bridal, special occasion, western boots, day wear and flats and continues to expand. Nordstrom.com, Endless.com, Belk, and Alfred Angelo are among the retailers who carry the brand.

Lauren Lorraine

In 2013, Jones launched a new women's shoe collection, Lauren Lorraine.[7] Jones is the co-owner, and CCO, designing and manufacturing women’s shoes for the line. The collection had its official launch during New York Fashion Week 2013 at the FFANY shoe show [8] and is available at Nordstrom and other retailers nationwide.

DVDs

Radio

Jones has appeared on air as a guest with Ryan Seacrest on 102.7 KIIS FM, on Y101 Jackson's #1 Hit Music Station, as well as on The Out of Bounds Show on 105.9 FM ESPN Radio with Bo Bounds. Jones has further worked as an on-air host at WJQS radio station, hosting her own radio show on 1400am.

Titles

Miss Mississippi USA 2009 (First Runner Up), Miss MET-Rx 2006/2007 (Winner), Miss New York UN 2007 (Winner), Miss New York USA 2007 (Finalist), Miss New York USA 2006 (Finalist).[9]

Charity

Jones does charitable work helping with the nonprofit organization, Gleaners, located in her hometown of Jackson, Mississippi. Jones has also participated in Habitat For Humanity. Jones is a member of the Junior League.

Filmography

Films

Year Title Role Notes
2007 Spider-Man 3 Reporter Columbia Pictures
2010 The Expendables Cheyenne Lionsgate

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2007 Anchorwoman Herself Starring Role, FOX
2007 The Price Is Right Barker's Beauty
2007 The Naked Brothers Band Double X Guest Star
2006 Guiding Light Friend
2005 Wonder Showzen Actress Genre: Comedy
Guest appearances
Year Title Role Notes
2007 The O'Reilly Factor Herself Aired on August 20, 2007
2007 Good Morning America Herself Aired on August 19, 2007
2007 The Best Damn Sports Show Period Herself Aired August, 2007 on FSN
2007 Good Day LA Herself Aired August, 2007
2007 The Big Story Herself Aired August 21, 2007, with John Gibson
2006 The CMT Music Awards 2006 Herself
2005 Last Call with Carson Daly Actress Aired on October 23; performed improv skits
2000 Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee Model

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lauren Jones.