V Girls: Coco Jones

The Gen-Z star has proven her passion and talent in the music & film industry—now, it’s her time to revel in it all

This feature appears in the pages of V140 now available for purchase

Coco Jones made her debut in the spotlight as a Disney star, gracing the screen in throwback shows and original movies that proved her entertainment chops early on. She is a natural triple threat—singing, acting, and dancing her way into the audience’s hearts through relatable characters and uplifting songs. Donning facades became instinctive for Jones, but as  she progressed, she sought to shed the various personality “masks” and create a distinct persona that reached far beyond her on-screen portrayals. It wasn’t until later in her career that Jones had to tackle perhaps the most challenging role of all: herself.

Jacket, pants, earrings, shoes, bag BALENCIAGA / ADIDAS, Bodysuit ANOUKI, Necklace DAVID YURMAN

The poised performer expresses that she faced many barriers in moving from a younger space to a more mature identity, both sonically and personally. Nonetheless, under a decade later since her Disney debut, Jones has found her true niche with the release of her debut EP, What I Didn’t Tell You. She takes it all in stride, coolly confirming that this journey, no matter how tumultuous, was always her destined path. “If my younger self could see me now, she’d say, ‘Oh yeah, that’s exactly what I told you guys I was gonna do.’”

So without elaborate costumes, cameras, blinding production lights, and music studios—who is Coco Jones? At heart, she remains the same passionate artist she’s always been. While always remaining true to her younger self, Jones also wants listeners to know that her experiences over the years have transformed her into a seasoned creative—one who now knows what serves her and possesses the power to rid herself of the things that don’t.

All clothing DOLCE & GABBANA, Green necklace SWAROVSKI, Gold necklace and earrings UBS GOLD, Rings ANABELA CHAN and KALLATI

What I Didn’t Tell You, effortlessly blends her smooth sound with nostalgic ’90s elements, informed by peers she applauds and familiar childhood acts like The Cheetah Girls, who Jones admires for their versatility. The EP takes listeners on an empowering journey through all of Jones’ triumphs thus far and displays a woman who now knows where she stands—and though that journey may still be developing, she is surely setting the tone as a modern R&B powerhouse to watch.

When she isn’t making sultry, soulful tunes, Jones portrays the modern version of Hilary Banks in Bel-Air, the newly released series that reimagines the widely embraced family sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. “There are so many layers to being Hilary because, historically, she’s known to look a specific way and have specific traits,” Jones shares on playing the beloved character. “I got the opportunity to break through so many of those stereotypes and to represent Black women in this different, refreshing way.” “I had to find my voice, what I really wanted to say, and what felt authentic to me, that wasn’t just me playing another character,” says Jones, reflecting on her recent creative endeavors. “I hope that I can connect with the girls that are like me. The girls who don’t want to lose themselves on the journey, but find themselves along the way.”

Bel-Air is available to stream on February 23, 2023 via Peacock and What I Didn’t Tell You is now available on all streaming platforms.

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