Lifetime to London, The Coco Johnsen Story

Born and raised in North Carolina, Coco spent most of her childhood in foster homes, eventually moving to an orphanage with her two older brothers when she was age 12. An early graduate from high school, receiving her diploma at 17, Coco won a scholarship to study in Brazil as a foreign exchange student and returned speaking fluent Portuguese.

Upon arriving in the US, Johnsen moved to New York City and her life was quickly catapulted into the world of fashion and beauty. Discovered on a New York City subway, Coco was introduced to an agent, and whisked to South Africa, Sweden, Germany, and Norway to be seasoned as a model. Enjoying success in front of the camera, Coco modeled for the like of Revlon, Diesel Jeans, Coors Light, and Miller Lite campaigns to name a few. She has appeared in magazine such as Glamour, Essence, Cafe, and Swedish Elle. Her modeling career led to parts in music videos for Naughty by Nature, De Angelo, Monica, and Melissa Etheridge. Celebrity photographer, David LaChapelle photographed her alongside rap superstar Jay-Z for the VH1 Awards advertisement. On set, one of the directors suggested that she pursue acting and Johnsen was accepted to the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York City.

Moving to L.A. allowed for more modeling jobs as she landed a Miller Genuine Draft campaign that aired nationally. In no time at all Johnsen obtained a manager, along with a supporting role in the feature film, Out for Blood with Kevin Dillon, and a guest spot on UPN’s The Parkers.

Playboy Enterprises acknowledged her curvaceous figure and Coco added Playboy to her many achievements. Listed as Cyber Girl of the Week, there seemed to be no stopping the five foot seven muse. She co-hosted the Whole Nine Yards film premiere with Bruce Willis, Wild On Bikini Destinations Brazil, and had a recurring role on The Playboy Channel’s 7 Lives Exposed. In addition, Coco appeared in Playboy’s 50th Anniversary issue.

After several years of modeling, in 2006 Johnsen attended The Fashion Institute Of Design in Los Angeles and is currently a Los Angeles based fashion designer. Her designs have appeared in GQ, Vogue UK, Clear Magazine, West East, Flaunt, Ocean Magazine, Traffic, Profiles, Apparel News & WWD. She has been worn by Megan Fox, Mischa Barton, Leelee Sobieski, Glee’s Jesslyn Gelsig, the late Farah Fawcett, Vanessa Branch and Supermodel Sessilee Lopez.

Currently, Coco Johnsen will appear as a contestant on Lifetime Television’s new reality series “24 Hour Catwalk” from the producers of Project Runway, and will also represent the United States as a designer for Mali Fashion Week (the first fashion week in Mali Africa) which will be sponsored by The United Nations in 2012. Also, Coco is writing her memoir titled “Frivolous”. In search of a financial backer, Coco Johnsen is planning to open her first signature Flagship Boutique in Los Angeles.