Vanessa Toll

I'm Vanessa, and I worked as a film and television casting professional in my hometown of Los Angeles for 15 years before moving to Paris. While I'm a very proud and deeply-rooted Angeleno (my grandpa was even born there in 1919!) my love for Paris has always kept me longing for something more than sunny California. I'm not even sure what it is about Paris that I love so much, but I just feel like it brings out the best version of me. I joke that the title of my memoir one day will be "Prettier in Paris" because it's just true! Now, I like to think of myself as a Parisian Valley Girl.

When people ask what brought me to Paris, it’s nearly impossible for me to pick one straightforward answer. The truth is, I didn't finally "decide" to move to Paris, but the Universe absolutely kicked my butt here. I could blame my parents and the bedtime stories they told me about their adventures as newlyweds in Paris when my mom worked for French perfume companies. I could blame the summer “study” abroad trips I did at 19 and 20. I could blame not one, but TWO, longterm relationships I had in LA with French people. (I swear that wasn’t on purpose, but I guess I vibe with the French?) I could blame the fact that I’m a Gemini sun with a Saggitarius moon and rising. Personally, I think it was a combination of everything. I visited Paris 10 different times before I was finally able to move here on my 11th, so it's safe to say I'm not totally "new here".

I followed Jay and Paris in my Pocket for years before I finally got the opportunity to work with him and the team, and I feel like I've been welcomed into the most VIP group of people here in Paris. They know EVERYTHING, and now I'm lucky enough to be able to learn about and share the coolest things my favorite city has to offer.