- I think it's so refreshing to have the energy
of such a beautiful event, of course, for a beautiful cause.
Costumes are a huge part of every show.
I mean, they create their own fan base in a way.
I know playing Hillary like wardrobe has been a huge part
of my character and how I even perform.
So even down to the PAs,
it's great to honor costume designers
and all their hard work and their attention to detail
and it feels great to be out in the world
with other people who have the same passion.
- [Narrator] This former Disney Channel actress and singer
first shined on over 5.7 million screens back in 2012.
10 years later, she's that girl with millions of views
for her music and getting props
for revamping an iconic television character.
And recently signed a deal as an artist
on one of the most iconic record labels.
Coco Jones is her name.
(bright upbeat music)
Courtney Coco Jones was born in Columbia, South Carolina
in 1998 but was raised in a small town
near Nashville Tennessee.
Her father was former NFL player, Mike Jones
but it was her mother's musical abilities
that passed down to Coco.
Her first performance was at the age of six
when she sang "America The Beautiful"
at her kindergarten graduation.
Three years later after meeting the casting team at Disney,
she became an actor and songwriter.
Her first televised performance
was on the "Maury Povich Show" in 2009.
Then Coco went on to compete
on Radio Disney's "The Next Big Thing"
where she was the runner up in 2010.
Shortly after she released her debut project
and toured the country on an anti-bullying campaign.
Her first major role Disney Channel's "So Random"
was in 2011 where she performed her single "Stand Up"
and participated in sketches.
In 2012, Coco's breakout role in Disney's "Let It Shine"
had her co-starring alongside Tyler James Williams,
Trevor Jackson and Courtney B. Vance.
Her role not only allowed the multi-talented star
to showcase her singing, dancing and acting chops,
it also helped her demonstrate confidence to herself
and for other girls.
I really like the message that Roxy's character gives.
At my age, a lot of my friends try to change themselves
to fit in or to be light but Roxy helps girls realize
that they have to be confident in themselves,
have their own style and if people accept you, great
but if they don't, that's all right too.
She told Kids World.
When "Let It Shine" premiered,
it was watched by 5.7 million viewers
and it was the number one movie of the year
for teens and tweens.
Later in 2012, Jones signed with Hollywood Records,
co-writing and recording all new music.
Her debut single "Holla at the DJ"
reached over six million views on YouTube.
She then released her EP "Made Of" in 2013
and toured with Mindless Behavior later that year.
In January 2014, Coco became an independent artist
releasing "Peppermint".
Then she released her singles "Depressed"
and "Just My Luck" in 2018 with the latter hitting
over 3.5 million views on YouTube.
Her second EP "H.D.W.Y" was released in 2019.
Coco's next huge moment came in 2022 when she starred
in Peacock's "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" reboot "Bel-Air".
The show quickly became Peacock's most streamed show
and TVLine gave the first season an A.
Jones spoke to InStyle about her role of Hillary.
I thought it needed to be similar
and that was what they were looking for.
But then as I got closer to booking the role,
I had more conversations with Morgan Cooper, our director.
He kind of redirected me and reassured me
that who I was and what I was portraying was enough.
It was so exciting when I got the role,
especially since I get to play a dark skinned version
of a character iconically known as a lighter skinned woman
and rebrand her in a way that in 2022
is really needed in terms of representation.
In March of 2022, the singer announced she'd signed
to legendary label, Def Jam Records.
I've had these experiences before and I know how to operate
in this business but now I'm myself.
I know what I want to sing about.
I know what I want to say and I know how I want it to sound.
To have Def Jam behind me means so much
because they get the vision too.
They're not trying to change me.
They're just trying to see me win.
Jones told The Source.
Shortly after the announcement,
she dropped her single "Caliber".
Beauty, that voice and acting skills to match,
Coco Jones is on the rise.
I think this is my renaissance moment.
I think this is me pressing the gas.
The car is about to go super fast but for some reason
the gas was locked but now it's finally pressed down.
That's how I feel.
And we look forward to joining her on the ride.
(bright upbeat music)