Papa Joe Aviance

Papa Joe Aviance (or Joe Aviance) is an African American musician (a house music recording artist) producer, actor, director, writer, cinematographer, weight loss advocate, motivational speaker/life coach, fashion designer and business man.

After struggling with his weight for several years, Aviance lost 250 pounds in 2013 by walking and shopping for cheap food from his local 99 Cents store. This change of lifestyle was brought on after watching his overweight self on Lula's 2008 music video Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life (While a DJ Gave Me Trouble), a cover of Indeep's 1982 classic Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life in which Aviance feature in. As this track topped the charts and continued to receive air-time on MTV and VH1, Aviance did not like what he saw when he looked at himself. As a result, he decided to embark on a healthy lifestyle change in order to bring his weight down. At the time, Aviance could not afford the expensive gym membership of Los Angeles, weight loss surgery or fad dieting, and decided to lose weight by doing free physical activities such as walking and buying cheap food from his local 99 Cents store. Within 18 months, he managed to lose 250 pounds and received numerous media coverage. Using his own weight struggles and triumphs, he went on to become a motivational speaker — encouraging obese children and adults to lose weight. Through his work, he has won numerous awards and is an ambassador for the American Heart Association.

Aviance has appeared on numerous television shows such as The Doctors, the Rachael Ray Show and Good Morning America. He is a producer and host on KNEKT-TV. He is an early member of the House of Aviance, one of the legendary ballroom houses of New York City known for its voguing, music, DJs and fashion. He was anointed by Mother Juan Aviance in the early years of the House's formation in 1989. It is from that House where he takes his last name from as customary within ballroom culture.

Early life and business career

Aviance was born in Saginaw, Michigan. He was a chubby child growing up in Michigan and struggled with his weight. "Nearly everyone in his family has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. His grandfather died of heart disease."

Aviance's grandfather was a business man whom he credited as his inspiration. As a business man, Aviance traveled to various countries before moving to New York City to work in Wall Street with several high-profile companies. To utilise his creativity, Aviance moved to Hollywood in 2002 to pursue a career in acting and music.

In 2009, Aviance launched his clothing line "Joe Joe". This clothing line "incorporates different aspects of his music." He is also the founder and CEO of "Papa Joe Networks" — a production company he founded in 2009, located in Los Angeles.

House of Aviance

Papa Joe takes the name "Aviance" after joining the legendary House of Aviance. He is an early member of the House having been anointed by Mother Juan Aviance. The House of Aviance which is known for its voguing dancers, music, DJs, performing artists, fashion, nightlife and performances would have a significant impact on Papa Joe's life as a musician and a house music recording artist as he relay below.

Music

Aviance is a musician based in Los Angeles. He decided to leave New York City for L.A. in 2002 to pursue an acting and music career. Whilst working at a video store in L.A., Eddie Amador, the international house music producer, remixer and DJ walked into the shop to rent a movie. Aviance and Amador started chatting about music and that conversation led to a music deal. Collaborating with Eddie Cumana (producer and writer of Don't Want Another Man) and Alan T, they created a track titled NOW on Kult Records. Whilst waiting for the release of NOW, Aviance got to collaborate with another Kult Records artist Lula, the then London-based Indie pop singer. In 2008, they released Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life (While a DJ Gave Me Trouble), a house cover of Indeep's 1982 classic - Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life. Aviance starred in the club version of the music video. Released on Kult Records, the track became a hit, reaching #6 on Billboard Magazine's Dance Charts. The video received plenty of air-time on TV music channels like MTV and VH1. That same here, NOW was released on Kult Records with remixes from Eddie Amador and Eddie Cumana featuring Alan T and Aviance.

Following the video release of Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life (While a DJ Gave Me Trouble), Aviance received a call from a music producer who told him "he wanted to make him the next B.I.G. for house music." After watching the video, Aviance developed a nervous break down as a result of his weight and embarked on a weight lose journey (see personal life).

On October 4, 2011, Aviance collaborated with Willy SanJuan and released an up-tempo house track titled Live for Life. That track was released on Molacacho Records.

Filmography

The following is a list of documentaries, movies, TV and web series appearances/credits:

• Charlie Muse (post production — 2018)

Role: Executive Producer, Director & Writer

• Addicted to You (post production — 2018)

Role: Priest

• KNEKT (2017)

Role: Co-Producer & Himself

• FanLogic Connect on the Carpet: Launching for Lone Survivor Foundation (2017)

Role: Cinematographer

• Paws for Purple Hearts Presents Venture for Veterans (2017)

Role: Himself

• KNEKT on the Carpet: Good Fortune Premiere (2017)

Role: Himself, Red Carpet Host

• 4 the Love Sessions (2017)

Role: Himself, Red Carpet Host

• Unite 4: Good (2017)

Role: Himself, Red Carpet Host

• Dream Builders Project: A Brighter Future for Children (2017)

Role: Himself, Red Carpet Host

• Skin Food, Body Love with Coleen & Neil (2017)

Role: Himself

• KNEKT on the Carpet: Live from the 27th Annual 100 Stars Oscars Red Carpet (2017)

Role: Himself, Red Carpet Host

• Live from the Top 100 Hockey Players of All-Time Hollywood Gala (2017)

Role: Himself

• 9th Annual Babes in Toyland: Live from Avalon Hollywood (2016)

Role: Himself

• Storytellers United Live: It Gets Better Gala (2016)

Role: Himself, Host

• Found Animals Foundation Gala, Live from the W Hollywood (2016)

Role: Himself, Host

• KTLA Morning News (January 5, 2016)

Role: Himself

• Drake: Live from Bootsy Bellows (2016)

Role: Director & Cinematographer

• Red, White and Bootsy (2016)

Role: Director & Cinematographer

• Kaelyn Is Why (2015)

Role: Executive Producer & Director

• The 99 Cents Only Stores: Keeping You Healthy for the Holidays (2014)

Role: Executive Producer & Host (himself)

• American Heart Association Heart & Stroke Ball 2014 (2014)

Role: Executive Producer & Director

• A Tribute: Justin Carr Wants World Peace (2014)

Role: Executive Producer & Director

• Featured by Fameus (2014)

Role: Producer, Director & Himself

• Home & Family (2014)

Role: Himself

• The Tattoo Age: The Awareness (2013)

Role: Himself

• Rachael Ray (December 17, 2013 and October 8, 2013)

Role: Himself

• American Heart Association Greater LA (2013)

Role: Executive Producer & Director

• T.D. Jakes Presents: Mind, Body & Soul (2013)

Role: Himself

• #friendsthemovie (2013)

Role: Himself

• The Doctors (May 20, 2013)

Role: Himself

• Live Big with Ali Vincent (2011)

Role: Himself

• Spinners (2010)

Role: M.C. Matt Elliot (as Joe Aviance)

• The Audience (2006)

Role: "I do!" (as Joe Aviance)

• Wassup Rockers (2005)

Role: Bouncer (as J. Aviance)

• The Jamie Kennedy Experiment (October 1, 2002)

Role: Himself

Personal life (weight issues)

Aviance had previously had weight issues which severely affected his self-esteem and potentially, his health as "nearly everyone in his family has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes." At one point in his life, he weighed 450 pounds. After struggling with his weight for several years, Aviance lost 250 pounds in 2013 by doing basic exercises such as walking and cooking cheap food bought from his local 99 Cents store.

At the time, Aviance could not afford gym membership in Los Angeles where he lives. Neither could he afford weight loss surgery or fad dieting. As such, he decided to lose weight by doing free physical activities such as walking and push-ups at home, and buying cheap fruit and vegetables from his local 99 Cents store. Within 18 months of hard work and dedication, he lost 250 pounds.

This change of lifestyle was brought on after watching his overweight self on Lula's 2008 music video Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life (While a DJ Gave Me Trouble), a house cover version of Indeep's 1982 classic Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life in which Aviance feature in. As this track topped the charts and continued to receive air-time on MTV and VH1, Aviance did not like what he saw when he looked at himself. "Disgusted" by his appearance, he had a nervous breakdown until ultimately decided to embark on a healthy lifestyle change to bring his weight down. His first action was to throw away all the fatty foods from his refrigerator and decided to fill it with cheap fruit and vegetables from his local 99 Cents store on La Brea Avenue in the City of Los Angeles. The other part of his regime was to incorporate outdoor walking and push-ups at home—thereby increasing muscle mass and preventing excessive loose skin as a result of severe weight lose. Aviance still walks 5 miles a day and has managed to kept his weight off.

Aviance believes that, one can lose weight without the aid of weight loss surgery, fad dieting or expensive gym membership. Using his own weight struggles and triumphs, he went on to become a motivational speaker—encouraging obese children and adults to lose weight. Through his work, he has won numerous awards and is an ambassador for the American Heart Association. He also served as ambassador to the 99 Cents store brand from 2013 to 2015.

Charity work

Aviance supports various charities, including AIDS Walk, the American Red Cross, Ronald McDonald Walk for Kids, the Multicultural Motion Picture Association (MMPA), and the Alzheimer's Association. Aviance is also ambassador for the American Heart Association.

Awards

• In 2016, Aviance was recognised and given an award by the City of West Hollywood for his work in raising awareness about heart disease.
• Aviance won the AHA's Lifestyle Change Award in 2013. He’s an AHA Life Ambassador.
• In April 2017, AHA gave him a You’re the Cure Award.

External links

• Papa Joe Aviance's official website 7
• Papa Joe Aviance's bio on the House of Aviance official website 8
• Papa Joe Aviance's YouTube Channel 9
• Papa Joe Aviance's official Facebook page 10
• Papa Joe Aviance on IMDb 11
• Video of "Papa Joe Aviance on The Doctors" [in] IMDb 12
• LULA feat Papa Joe "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life", by Kult Records, Published on Kult Records' official YouTube Channel (November 29, 2008) 13