IN CONVERSATION WITH COCO JONES
interview JANA LETONJA
Multi-hyphenate actor, singer and songwriter Coco Jones stars in Peacock’s remake series ‘Bel-Air’, which is premiering its third season on 15th August. Soon, she will also be releasing her newest single ‘Sweep it Up’.
Coco, you’re starring on Peacock’s series ‘Bel-Air’, the reimagined version of the 90s hit series ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’. Had you watched the original series when you got cast as Hillary Banks?
Yes, I have watched the original ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’. It was kind of like past my time because I was born in the late 90s, but I watched it on Nick at Nite.
How would you say your character Hillary differes from the original?
I would say my character Hillary is different because the world is so much different. She’s on social media, which wasn’t even an option back in the day. And she’s a Chef, so I think her interests are different than original Hillary’s.
What can the fans expect when the third season hits their screens? Is there anything exciting you can share about Hillary’s storyline in the upcoming season?
Fans can expect the third season to have a lot of life changing paths for Hillary. I’m excited for her to be in love and to also find herself again. I think sometimes when you have a lot of good happening, you lose yourself in the good. You get caught up in all the things happening and sometimes you forget about your individuality, so I am excited for you guys to relate to Hillary in a different perspective of her life.
You basically started your career with Disney. How do you look back on the early beginnings in your acting and music career?
I look back very fondly on the beginning of my acting and music career. I think the thing that has remained consistent is how passionate I have always been for the things that I love and how much I will give my all to a project. I am not embarrassed about anything I have ever done.
How has your passion for both acting and music developed? Do you feel you are more drawn to one than the other, and how do they individually fulfill you as an artist?
I feel like I am drawn to music because it is comfortable. And I am drawn to acting because it is a challenge. They both fulfill me in different ways, but I learn a lot about myself through each outlet.
left
dress ISABEL MARANT
shoes DSQUARED2
anklet LARUICCI
earrings & tights STYLIST’S OWN
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dress DSQUARED2
shoes DOLCE & GABBANA
tights WOLFORD
earrings ALEXIS BITTAR
Who is your biggest musical inspirations?
Biggest musical inspiration is Beyonce. Her longevity and her continual reinvention of herself is something that I think all artists aspire to have. And it’s really commendable to still remain relevant after all of this time. In this day in age, that’s a skill in itself.
Being an actress and a singer allows you to explore fashion as part of your work. What do you love most about fashion and how important is it in your personal life?
What I love most about fashion is the ability to change your personality in a way. I think for me, when I’m dressed in sweats and a hoodie, you might not even know me passing you on the street. And I love that. And in the same night, I can do my glam and put on a sickening outfit and be the star of the show. That’s pretty cool. I feel like Hannah Montana.
What are some of the other things you are passionate about in life?
Food for sure, journaling, workout classes, YouTube videos. And I would also say a fun fact is, I really do love editing. Back in the day when I was an independent artist, I really enjoyed editing my videos, directing them and doing it all. I mean, I had no other choice. But one day in the future, I really want to be that hands-on again with my projects. There is just no time in the day and it just doesn’t work like that no more right now.
What is coming up next for you in music? You’ll also soon release a new single and debut album. Can you yell us more about it?
I am super eager to get it my debut album out in the world this Fall. I don’t really know what’s going to happen and I don’t even want to pretend like I can control any of what’s going to happen. I just want to put it out in the world because things change for me when I put things out in the world. Songs, covers, my truth, whatever it is, I just need to keep putting it out.
My debut single ‘Here We Go’ was kind of a follow-up to ‘ICU’, just kind of reminding my audience of what they really appreciated about me originally, my voice and my story lines. And I am excited for the next single ‘Sweep It Up’. My end goal is that people recognize me for a lot of different sonics. That would be great!
TEAM CREDITS
talent COCO JONES
photographer DIEGO BENDEZU
stylist TYLER ESOSA OKUNS
hair ELIZABETH SEMANDE
makeup RENEE SANGANOO
production: AREA1202 STUDIO
executive producer JEAN JARVIS
photography assistants BRANDON ABREU & NATALIA ORMEÑO
styling assistants PASCIA OBAMI-YAO SANGOUBADI & DAVINA SINGH
editor TIMI LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN
