[10] Johnson went on to study elementary education and child psychology at California University of Pennsylvania after which she moved to New York City.

She was offered roles as a model for Vidal Sassoon, Oscar de la Renta, and United Colors of Benetton.

In 1992, without any prior pageantry training, background, or experience, Johnson competed in and won the Miss Pennsylvania USA beauty pageant.

Johnson immediately started learning her craft as an actor, studying under Janet Alhanti in the studio of Margie Habor.

In 2006, Johnson was voted Actress of the Month by the Independent Filmmakers Alliance[14] From 2007 to 2010, she played several lead roles at various theatres, including The Next Stage, The Dark Side of The Moon, and The Puppet Show, and appeared in an adaptation of A Christmas Carol.

Johnson was executive producer for The Last Eve[15] directed by Korean American director Young Man Kang.