FOR WOMEN WHO ARE 35 AND YOUNGER, HOW DOES THAT SELF-AWARENESS MANIFEST?

Will you be releasing new music in the near future?

My previous album was only launched in certain territories. Last October I realized my music landed between TikTok and everything else technology allows. So, I started integrating pieces into the different facets of my world and putting 30 or 45 seconds of my music into everything. I am basically building out new audiences. I will be launching my album next year.

Are you a complete extrovert?

I am both, an extravert and an intravert.

Do you feel like your mom is always with you?

I do.

Is that where you inherited your love of fashion and jewelry? Tell me about your experience selling your line on the Home Shopping network.

Are you a “creative” or are you a “linear” person?

Creative mostly . . . but probably a blend of both. The reason I speak about these very specific collaborations in my life is that both Matt Prime and Peter Amato were the foundations for the music created. They created very specific moments in time, in music. Once I wrote the album with my band, the first song Naked, stayed on the dance charts for 16 weeks or maybe 20. And then Naked literally went to number 16, which changed the trajectory of my career.

You had an ailing mother, a crazy commute, and were responsible for the band. How did that work?

The complexity helped me to be the best for mom and myself. Because you were fulfilled creatively and yet you were also caregiving to someone that you loved so much?

I wrote a song and dedicated all of the proceeds to the American Cancer Society. I was giving back, and I was doing it all at the same time as caring for her . . . which was an amazing experience. There is nothing more that I could have done.

Does he ground you or do you ground him?

We compliment each other. Every day is different, and I never experience the same type of day. Life for me is never vanilla. It is always purple, yellow, and blue…with a bit of drama.

What was your most successful music venture?

The last single, Body Needs, went to number five in the US. I went on tour in Europe, and it was mind-boggling, performing in Germany and signing autographs. Having people sing your songs and their appreciation . . . there are no words to describe that, truly.

Then you pivoted in your career, why?

It was a very hard and important decision for me. I knew that if I did not take on this entrepreneurial need and void that I saw in the marketplace, I would always regret never having fulfilled this venture. But music is always in my soul and will forever be my first love.

Oh God, it was amazing. There is nothing on this planet like that . . . no preparing in advance or training you can do either. I performed in front of 250,000 people before, but presenting on the HSN is like being a puppeteer in that medium. You have a host and 25 different items with random people calling in while you are talking to them live for a maximum of one-and-a-half minutes. You hope that that host likes you because if they don’t like you, your entire hour or two hours is sabotaged. Meanwhile, you are trying to upsell as the producer is talking to you through an earpiece. You keep repeating the same thing, which is insane . . . just the craziest thing I’ve ever done. But I loved it. I loved it so much. I never wanted it to end . . . for as long as I lived.

And you loved it because?

Being able to sell to so many from the comforts of your own home and really have people relate to you is an amazing experinece. Did you prepare or wing it?

I prepared for about six months in advance.

Will you do it again?

It was so much fun and so amazing to have had this experience. When you were songwriting and in the real performance stage of your life, you did not use the Vanderbilt name.

Never. I wanted to be really known for my music. It was important to me as a musician that my music be based on anonymity. It was my pride and joy to be Consuelo. I wanted one name: one name and on my own. I did this and it had nothing to do with anyone else. I stood completely alone and on my own, rock solid.

The label would say, “Consuelo is too Spanish sounding.” They asked me, “What is your nickname?” I answered, “Mo. Because my best friend called me Ho.” Then, “What’s your last name?” I answered, “Costin.” The label said, “Great, then Mo Costin.”

And that’s why you did your own label?

No one knows what the magic ingredient is. I own my own label to control the narrative and the distribution of my music.

Is there too much responsibility with your last name Vanderbilt?

It is incredible and I feel very fortunate but it also comes with expectations as well.

Why is your family name anyone’s business?

It is not anyone’s business; again, I am very proud of my family’s name and background.

You are self-made and self-actualized. What is the end game . . . for SoHo Muse to be a household name?

Yes. Because these are extraordinary opportunities—these young brands, these young artists, young talent—helping them to achieve their dreams. There is so much undiscovered talent, such a need for mentorship and internship job opportunities, we want SoHo Muse to be a facilitator and truly become a trusted source for the creative community.

Do you trust people?

I think through life experiences it has made me more self aware so not as trusting as I may have been before, but I also live with my heart so I always give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

Every woman, further in her journey, who is not threatened by your beauty and brilliance, relates to you. How do you temper jealousy, or do you even try?

I don’t believe in Jealousy or ever look at this quality. I have in the past tried to hide behind and make it about others rather then my self but I have been working on this.

I am going to cry, Consuelo. Never dim yourself. That makes me sad. I don’t know why that touches me.

I did. Because it was just easier.

When you diminish yourself, you give them . . .

Power.

If you want to be remembered for one thing, what would that be?

Heart, 100%.

What one piece of advice do you want to give women that are embarking on their own journey?

Don’t be afraid to be you. That would be my advice. Always.

Do you think that people know who they are, and when did you figure out who you were?

Two years ago. Truly.

For women who are 35 and younger, how does that self-awareness manifest?

I think love and parents do this. When a child feels safe—the cocoon between the child bonding with the parents—it starts there. When you don’t feel safe, you are constantly fighting, searching, and needing things to fill the hole. When you do feel safe, you grow up knowing you can succeed, because you have that rock-solid foundation. I spent my life searching, sadly, because I didn’t have that.

Does the journey of hard knocks force people to eventually figure out their life’s purpose?

Sort of. I think you get to the point where you say, what does it all look like? Or something inside of your heart says you are enough. This is where forgiveness comes into play. The interesting thing about forgiveness is that in the end, you don’t blame anyone for anything. I don’t blame my parents . . . my mom showed and taught me about dying. Planning her funeral was one of the greatest things I have ever done, which sounds so strange. It was one of the proudest moments of my life because I felt that I honored everything that she wanted. It was remarkable because of who she was and everything that she was about . . . it was extraordinary.

And the world saw it.

And the world saw it. Her legacy, truly, was that she became so much more in her passing.

You did not have children?

Not yet. I still want to experience motherhood if I can.

Like everything Consuelo, you will figure it out and you will be an amazing mother. Thank you so very much. I hope I will. ■

Interview Date: March 30th, 2022