Who is Karrine Steffans? Wiki Biography, net worth, husband

Known for movies

Kiss and Tail: The Hollywood Jumpoff (2009)
as Herself

VH1 News Presents: Hip Hop Videos - Sexploitation on the Set (2005)
as Producer

50 Most Shocking Celebrity Scandals (2007)
as Herself

Hip Hop vs. America: A BET Town Hall (2007)
as Herself

• Karrine Steffans gained fame appearing in music videos for top artists like Jay-Z and R. Kelly.
• She wrote “Confessions of a Video Vixen,” revealing her experiences in the music industry.
• She is vocal in advocating for women’s rights and mental health issues.
• Karrine triumphed over a challenging early life marked by abuse and poverty.
• She founded Steffans Publishing to support emerging writers.

Who is Karrine Steffans?

Born 24 August 1978, Karrine Steffans hails from Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands. She is a 45-year-old model, entrepreneur, occasional rapper, and author. From humble beginnings on a group of islands in the Caribbean to superstardom as a video vixen in music videos for multi-platinum-selling rappers, she has seen it all. Her memoir, “Confessions of a Video Vixen”, shocked the world upon release in 2005, as Karrine recalled numerous instances of abuse during her time in the hip-hop music industry. Tales of misogyny, exploitation and scandals propelled her to superstar, and she quickly became an important spokesperson for the rights of women working in show business.

Early Life: Turbulence and Tragedy

Karrine was born into an American family, in the biggest district on the US Virgin Islands, an unincorporated territory of the United States of America. The family barely had enough money to make ends meet, so they decided to move to Florida, in search of a better life. Unfortunately, things didn’t change much, as they still lived in relative poverty. She also lived in a difficult situation at home, as she suffered continued abuse at the hands of her alcoholic mother and her father who was barely present. At the age of 13, she was raped, which additionally traumatized her and affected her way of thinking. Three years later, in 1994, Karrine finally succeeded in running away from home, but before she was able to find a job, she had to live on the street. A few weeks into her homelessness, an opportunity to be an exotic dancer was presented to her, and this foray into the world of strip clubs allowed her to meet some powerful people.

Move to New York and Los Angeles

Desperate to make a decent amount of money, Karrine decided to move to New York City, in pursuit of more lucrative work opportunities. At a party, she met a young rapper by the name of Nathaniel Wilson, or as many liked to call him – Kool G Rap. The two immediately hit it off and Karrine moved in with Wilson at the tender age of 17. Even though the two seemed to be getting along nicely, their relationship quickly imploded as Karrine sustained constant abuse from Wilson, which prompted her to take their two-year-old son with her and move to Los Angeles, California to be protected against ‘horrible mental and physical abuse’. Despite going through another traumatic period, Steffans was determined to find her place in show business and build a comfortable life for her and her son. In Los Angeles, she rekindled contacts with prominent people from the music industry she had previously met and began working on her career.

Becoming a Famous Model and Vixen

Karrine managed to overcome the odds, and initially succeeded in appearing in the music video for Jay-Z’s hit new song, “Hey Papi”. This performance propelled her to stardom, as fans and talent agencies around the country noticed her voluptuous build and expressed curves, and she subsequently appeared in music videos by LL Cool J, Mystikal and the new king of R&B, R. Kelly. In 2004, Steffans was the cover girl of the “Hollywood Swimsuit” issue by Smooth Magazine. Even though she became a celebrity, the entire experience with modeling was traumatic for Karrine. In 2006, she was a guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show”, in which she opened up about misogyny and sexual abuse in the hip-hop industry. ‘I was abused as a child and before I knew it, I allowed myself to be exploited all in order to find work in the music industry’, said Steffans during her appearance in the show. Even though she had bad experiences, giving up on modeling wasn’t an option. In 2007, she appeared on the cover of King magazine, a prominent publication directed mainly at African Americans.

Karrine Steffans’ Acting and Music Careers

Using her newly-found fame, Carrie managed to land some pretty serious roles on the silver screen. In 2003, she appeared alongside Vin Diesel in the critically acclaimed action movie, “A Man Apart”. On “Freaky Flows”, a rap mixtape by DJ Rhude and Kingpen, she narrated the introduction and also appeared in the outro.

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Karrine as an Author: The Vixen Series

Even though modeling, acting and music have turned out pretty successfully for Karrine, her bread and butter is writing – all three books from the Vixen series have spent significant time on The New York Times (NYT) Best Seller list. When she published her first book, “Confessions of a Video Vixen” in 2005, she dedicated it to her son and decided to donate a set percentage of the proceeds to the Boys and Girls Club of America. One critic stated that ‘Karrine opened doors that many famous people in hip-hop would have rather left shut.’ All in all, Confessions spent a total of twenty weeks on the NYT’s Best Seller list in hardcover, with an additional return in paperback a year later. Her second and third books, “The Vixen Diaries” from 2007 and “The Vixen Manual: How to Find, Seduce & Keep the Man You Want” from 2009 entered the list at numbers six and seven, respectively. The series as a whole shed light on the darker side of the entertainment industry, and the fate of young women who choose to enter it.

Steffans Publishing

In 2008, Karrine decided she wanted to do her part in helping young writers make a name for themselves. Before launching her first publishing house “Steffans Publishing”, she wrote a monthly column in King magazine. Through the imprint’s official website, you can send in your work and get a chance to make use of Karrine’s numerous connections in the publishing industry. Prominent individuals have praised her efforts to promote young writers and give them a chance to make a name for themselves.

Recent Publications

In 2012, Karrine was the editor of “Drink Fuck Sleep (Volume 1)”, which is an anthology of short essays by people who have had regrettable sexual experiences under the influence of alcohol. This book was also a best-seller, but the real shocker was delivered by Karrine only a year later. She scandalously published “How to Make Love to a Martian”, in Kindle form. The book depicts her ‘complicated history’ with famous rapper Lil Wayne. Her vivid descriptions and honest confessions sparked a lot of debate about the responsibilities women have to men and themselves when it comes to their sexuality. ‘I realized recently that I’m surrounded by young women who have never had a sexual revolution. So I became almost this figure, this Joan of Arc [for them]’, said Karrine about the issue.

Currently, she is focused on professional endeavors and personal growth. She is a proud advocate for women’s rights and mental health.

Past Relationships: Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, Bobby Brown and Others

Due to her prominence in the world of hip-hop, Karrine had the opportunity to date a number of prominent stars from that niche. One of her most talked-about relationships was with singer Bobby Brown, whom she called ‘A hallucinatory drug addict she used to have to slap crazy.’ She also dated Usher, P Diddy, Juelz Santana, Young Buck and, interestingly, Jay-Z, about whom she said ‘You can’t stand looking at him when he’s on top.’

Here’s a brief but closer look at some of her romances over the years:

In 1996, a budding Steffans crossed paths with the influential rapper Kool G Rap before her ascent to fame. This encounter marked a pivotal moment in her life, as it served as the gateway to the vibrant world of hip-hop, laying the foundation for her future endeavors. For a span of three years, their union was a significant force in Karrine’s journey. However, as personal and professional obstacles mounted, their bond began to fray, ultimately culminating in their separation in 1999.

At an industry event around 2001, Karrine met actor Vin Diesel, igniting the beginning of their romantic involvement. Their connection, characterized more as a passionate fling than a committed romance, unfolded over a fleeting period. However, diverging paths in life and career aspirations led to the inevitable end of their relationship, prompting a parting of ways between the two.

In the latter months of 2002, she was in a romantic encounter with American R&B singer Bobby Brown, stepping into a relationship already marred by the lingering shadows of Brown’s tumultuous marriage to superstar Whitney Houston. Undeterred by the complexities, Steffans and Brown embarked on a journey of intensity and passion that spanned a remarkable ten months. Yet, amid the backdrop of Brown’s recurrent legal battles and personal turbulence, the couple ultimately reached a crossroads, bidding farewell to their relationship in the middle of 2003.

After that, later the year, Karrine bumped into Fred Durst, the charismatic frontman of Limp Bizkit. What began as a casual acquaintance swiftly blossomed into a romantic entanglement, fueled by Durst’s magnetic allure and rockstar charisma. For a year, they navigated the highs and lows of a steady relationship, savoring moments of stability amidst the whirlwind of fame. However, as 2004 dawned, they made the difficult decision to go their separate ways, citing personal differences that ultimately led to their parting.

In 2004, Karrine found herself entangled romantically with rapper Young Buck, their connection forged through their shared involvement in the music industry. Despite the initial excitement surrounding their relationship, the flame quickly dwindled, culminating in a breakup fueled by a myriad of misunderstandings and disparities.

In 2005, she started a romantic journey with the American comic Bill Maher, sparked by her intensive PR efforts in the media spotlight. Their bond blossomed after Maher showcased Steffans on his talk show, Real Time with Bill Maher. Contrary to assumptions surrounding the rapid pace of Hollywood relationships, they defied expectations, remaining together for a commendable span of seventeen months. Their paths diverged in 2006, with Maher and Steffans parting on amicable terms, characterized by mutual respect.

In late 2005, Karrine delved into a fleeting romantic liaison with comedian Chris Rock, their paths intertwining at a mutual friend’s gathering where sparks flew instantly. Renowned for their captivating and outspoken personas, they proved to be an intriguing duo. Despite their initial chemistry, the romance fizzled out after a brief few months, coming to a close in early 2006 attributed to cited “differences in opinion.” Many people are confused about when her relationship with Bill ended and her encounter with Chris began.

In the early months of 2008, Karrine found love with none other than Darius McCrary, the former star of “Family Matters.” Their paths converged at a bustling Hollywood event, sparking a whirlwind romance that swiftly progressed to an engagement. Yet, amidst their fervent connection, the duo encountered a series of hurdles, including disturbing accusations of domestic violence. These turbulent circumstances ultimately drove them apart, marking the end of their relationship in the latter part of 2009. They officially divorced in 2011.

She is currently believed to be single.

Does She Have Any Children?

She has two children; her first son, Naim Wilson, was born in 1998, and his father is Kool G Rap. Karrine Steffans is currently unmarried, but has been married three times. Despite having a lot of flings during the early 2000s, she only married Darius, but they separated in 2011, after which she demanded more and more money for child support, which led to Darius requesting a court-ordered reduction. Immediately afterwards, she married a man named Damian, with whom she had another child. In 2016, she was briefly married to actor Columbus Short, whom she accused of being a violent alcoholic who liked to ‘smack her around’, and the couple separated only months after their wedding day. In 2019, Karrine revealed that he was such a bad husband that she had to get two abortions to avoid being a mother to his children.

What is Karrine Steffans’ Net Worth?

According to several authoritative sources, Karrine Steffans has a net worth of approximately $5 million, as of 2024, accumulated by appearing in over 20 music videos, publishing several bestselling books, and offering publishing services.

Body Measurements: How Tall is Karrine Steffans?

Karrine has brown eyes and dark brown hair, is 5ft 5ins (165cms) tall, weighs approximately 123lbs (56kgs), and her vital statistics are 37-27-36, which isn’t surprising when you recall that she was one of the most sought-after video vixens in the golden era of hip-hop culture.