Hi, my name is Jenny Bapst Boussaert. I was born in Paris, France. My father is French and my mother is French, African American. I was raised in a lower class, rough-and-tumble suburb, La Courneuve, on the outskirts of Paris. I attended school in Paris. While preparing for my high school diploma, i flirted with the option of a professional basketball career. I struggled financially, yet i managed to graduate from high school. Upon graduation, acceptance to La Sorbonne, one of the most prestigious universities in Europe, was set aside in order to pursue my dream of playing basketball.
At 16, a talent agent discovered me in a quaint café across the street from my school in Montmartre (the west village of Paris). The following day, i pounded the streets of Paris on my first casting call, where i landed the Benetton worldwide campaign. I felt like it was an overnight sensation. My modeling career presented the opportunity for me to pursue another dream: Break into the American music market, and follow my grandfather’s footsteps.
I am a fashion model with Next Modeling Agency in New York City. L’Oreal, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Bandolino, Peter Beard and Robert Cavalli are a few of the clients with whom i have had the privilege to work. i have also graced the cover of Trace, Highlight, Max, Vibe, Vogue, and San Francisco Magazine, adding sizzle to my already stunning portfolio.
My singing career began at a very young age. My captive audience included family members and close friends. I always knew the music stage was my destiny, to walk in the footsteps of my late grandfather, Rocky Roberts. Rocky, a rhythm and blues singer, contributed great hits through the late sixties, such as Tonight I threw away (Italian text version of T-Bird), ‘stasera mi butto’ and ‘sono tremendo’.
‘Although I only met my grandfather four months before he died, I knew we had the same passions. I remember shaking from joy and anticipation when we met for the first time backstage at his last concert in Milan, Italy. We spoke for a long while in a corner, and he said it, yes, he said it! He said, ‘I’m proud of you!’ That moment for me is forever engraved in my mind.’ That day fueled my passion, knowing i could become a songstress and revive the true spirit of music, especially music of the ’70’s. My mother always says, ‘You were born to sing.’
My dream was to live and succeed in the United States, particularly in New York City. To eat the Big Apple was one of my goal. Even if the music industry protagonist tried to discourage me, in vain, i had to stay focused on what i came to The United States for. I will not fail.
