Coco Jones

Courtney Michaela Ann "Coco" Jones (born January 4, 1998) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Born in Columbia, South Carolina and raised in Lebanon, Tennessee, she began auditioning as a child to pursue a career in entertainment. She was first featured on the competition series Radio Disney's Next Big Thing (2010–11), which led to her being cast in other Disney properties such as the film Let It Shine (2012) and the sitcom Good Luck Charlie (2012–13).

During this time, Jones pursued a career as a recording artist with the release of her self-titled debut extended play (2010). She signed with Def Jam Recordings in 2022 and found commercial success following the release of her single, "ICU" in October of that year. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100, received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance. The award was among five total nominations she received at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards—which included herself as a nominee for Best New Artist. That same year, she was cast in the starring role for the Peacock comedy series Bel-Air (2022–present). Her other accolades include a BET Award and an NAACP Image Award.

Early life
Jones was born on January 4, 1998, in Columbia, South Carolina to former NFL player Mike Jones and session vocalist Javonda Jones, but raised in Lebanon, Tennessee. Her brother, Mike Jones Jr., is a current Atlanta Falcons linebacker. Her first stage performance was at the age of six when she performed "America the Beautiful" at her kindergarten graduation. At the age of nine, she met with the casting heads for Disney. After that, she became an actor and songwriter for the company. In 2006, she competed on Radio Disney, where she became known for her song "Real You".

2006–2013: Disney and Hollywood Records
In 2011, she guest-starred on Disney Channel's television series So Random!. In 2009, she was chosen to perform live on "The Most Talented Kids" episode of the Maury Povich Show. In 2010, Jones was the runner up during season 3 of Radio Disney's The Next Big Thing singing competition. Shortly after, she released her debut project Coco Jones, and began a concert tour revolving around the theme of anti-bullying called UBU-Stop the Bullying.

In June 2012, Jones played the lead role of Roxie in the television Disney movie, Let It Shine. The movie was the most watched Disney Channel Original Movie and most watched movie of the year for kids and tweens in 2012. Jones and the other main cast of Let It Shine performed at the 43rd Annual NAACP Image Awards Nominees Luncheon prior to the movie's release.

Jones signed a record deal with Hollywood Records and began working with Grammy-nominated producer Rob Galbraith, co-writing and recording all-new original music. Jones' debut single "Holla at the DJ" premiered on Radio Disney on December 6, 2012, with its release on iTunes the next day. The video for the track premiered on the Disney Channel on December 12, with a premiere on VEVO just afterwards. Her extended play Made Of was released on March 12, 2013, and toured with Mindless Behavior later that year. Jones performed with Mindless Behavior at Radio Disney's Radio Disney Music Awards, and took home an award for "Funniest Celebrity Take." Following the release of the EP, Jones worked in the studio with David Banner, Ester Dean, and Jukebox, with plans to release her debut album by August.

2014–2022: Independent music, film and television roles
In January 2014, Jones was dropped from Hollywood Records. On August 29, 2014, Jones released a lyric video for her debut independent single, "Peppermint". It was officially released on iTunes on September 4, 2014.

Jones was featured in a Fanta commercial in July 2017. Jones was featured in 1950s-era jazz film Flock of Four in April 2018. In September of that year she released a song called "Just My Luck" along with its music video. On September 3, 2019, Jones released a song called "Depressed". On September 20, 2019, she released an 8-track EP titled H.D.W.Y..

In August 2020, it was announced Jones will appear in the upcoming holiday film White Elephant and horror film Vampires vs. the Bronx.

In September 2020, Jones talked about her negative experiences in the industry with colorism. According to her, executives decided she was not marketable enough after featuring in Let It Shine.

Later on in 2020, Jones released the single "Hollyweird" in November 2020.

In September 2021, Jones was cast in Peacock's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reimagining Bel-Air, portraying Hilary Banks. The show would eventually premiere in February 2022.

2022–present: Signing to Def Jam Recordings and What I Didn't Tell You
On March 20, 2022, Jones announced that she had signed a new artist deal with High Standardz and Def Jam Recordings. Her major label debut single "Caliber" was released on March 25, 2022, and also served as the lead single for her major label debut EP What I Didn't Tell You. After the release of the EP's second single "ICU", as well as the non-album Amazon Music exclusive single "Love is War", the EP was released on November 4, 2022.

A month prior to the EP's release, Jones was featured on Babyface's ninth album Girls Night Out, contributing vocals to the song "Simple". A music video for the song was also released a week later on October 31.

On January 20, 2023, Jones released the deluxe edition to her EP, which included "Simple" and three new tracks. Jones' single "ICU" reached No. 21 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, becoming her first Billboard entry. It later peaked at number 63 on the Billboard Hot 100. On February 10, Jones released "Love is War" on all streaming platforms, and four days later, released a Spotify-exclusive cover of "Until the End of Time" with Leon Thomas.

On April 6, 2024, Jones performed the National Anthem at night one of WrestleMania XL in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Artistry
Jones has cited her biggest musical influences as Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Brandy Norwood, Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Celine Dion, Etta James, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, CeCe Winans, and Mary J. Blige.

Discography
Extended plays
 * Coco Jones (2010)
 * Made Of (2013)
 * Let Me Check It (2017)
 * H.D.W.Y. (2019)
 * What I Didn't Tell You (2022)