B
orn into a lineage tracing
ly dubs the "complex onion" that defines
shipping and railroad mag-
find my own voice, to build my label, and
back seven generations to the
A JOUR N EY O F M U S IC ,
PH I LA N T H RO P Y, AND
nate Cornelius Vanderbilt,
Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin has certainly
left her mark on the world. Her illustrious ancestry provides a fascinating backdrop to her extraordinary journey through the
realms of music, fashion, and philanthropy, where she has harnessed her family's
legacy to make a meaningful impact on the world.
E M P OW ERM EN T I delve into her more personal interests,
During our conversation, as Costin and
such as her love for playing tennis, her
CON SU EL O VA NDE R B I LT CO S T I N, K N O W N FOR H E R R E M A R K A B L E M U SIC C AREE R A ND U NWAV E R I N G C O MMIT M E NT T O P H I L A NTHRO P Y, IS A T R U E I NS P I R AT I O N I N T HE MOD E R N W O R L D. H E R L IFE'S J OURN E Y H A S B E E N M A RKED N OT O NLY B Y H E R FA MILY 'S L EG A CY B U T B Y H E R DED IC AT IO N T O M U S I C, H E R R E L EN T L ESS P UR S U I T O F P E R S O NA L A N D A R T IS T I C GR O WT H , A ND H ER C OMMIT M E NT T O P H I L A NTHRO P IC C AU S E S CL O S E T O H E R H EA R T. By Madison Bailey
impressive piano skills, and her adventurous spirit, her warmth and sincerity
immediately shine through. Her charming, blended accent adds a delightful touch to her narrative as she opens up about her unique journey. Born in New York and
raised in England, it was the latter where her musical career took root. "I spent six
months completely in training, singing lessons, got into the choir, and really haven't shut up since, to be honest," she says.
Costin’s musical journey, an ascending
crescendo of triumphs, not only saw her
name grace several Billboard hits but also featured collaborations with esteemed artists such as Vanessa Carlton, Mya,
and Joe Cocker. However, her path to
success was far from smooth, marked by challenges that ranged from pressures to
her. She reflected, "It was hard for me to
to gain control over navigating the career I wanted versus the one others expected. In the long run, that's the beauty of being an
artist — it's your voice, your words, your story that truly resonates. The more you
try to fit into a mold, the further you stray from being true to yourself."
Her journey led to the founding of C&R
Productions, where she could unapologetically embrace her authentic self and make a significant impact in the music industry.
It's a lesson she carries with her, inspiring others to follow their own paths, embrace
their individuality, and find their authentic voices. During our conversation, as we
explore her music career and touch upon
her 2015 music video shot at the Vanderbilt Mansion, a location rich in history, it
becomes evident that Costin embodies this philosophy. She delves into societal pressures and the arranged marriage expecta-
tions that weighed on Vanderbilt women in
the past, and when asked about the insights these historical experiences offer women today, she underscores the importance of defining oneself in the present. "There's
always going to be family expectations,"
she says. "You stand in truth for the things that you want so that you can actually be happy, because life is pretty short."
Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin's philan-
alter her appearance to doubts concerning
thropic journey is equally inspiring as
obstacles, Costin's journey has profoundly
compassion and support to various causes,
the suitability of her name. In spite of these influenced her perspective, encapsulated by her sage advice: "Stay curious, be in your imagination, and don't let others dictate
your path. Be inspired by their words, but always stay true to yourself."
Her early struggles in her musical career
were the first layers of what she humorous-
her musical career. She has extended her
leaving a meaningful impact wherever she
goes. Just one day before our conversation, at the Town and Country Philanthropy
Summit, Costin tells me she witnessed
the dedication of philanthropic panelists and the emphasis on involving youth
voices to drive change. She emphasizes
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