- Judith Akatugba
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The reimagined Coco Jones is a first-time Grammy candidate across five categories, including best new artist. She was formerly a Disney celebrity.
Still, the 26-year-old is discovering the value of having even loftier ambitions.
“I believe I’ve simply pushed myself to new limits, like internally, ever since I was nominated,” Jones told Unconventional Magazine.
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She got her start in the industry as a regular guest star on “So Random!” and “Let It Shine”—two 2012 Disney Channel movies—and musical sketch comedies.
Jones, in a YouTube video from 2020, discussed the prejudice she encountered after leaving Disney as a dark-skinned Black woman in the entertainment industry.
She felt compelled to release other music videos once hers proved popular, hoping to rekindle her acting and singing careers.
“Rebranding isn’t easy. The timing is going to be less than perfect for you right now, so that’s the first obstacle you’ll have to overcome, according to Jones.
Consequently, I cherish every memory of my time at Disney. I love her, but I want to subtly surpass my younger self in terms of who I am now.
The single “ICU” was included on Jones’s 2022 debut EP “What I Didn’t Tell You,” which was released before her breakthrough year.
The song was Jones’s first No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop chart, and she is proud of its success. However, she has no intention of being a one-hit wonder.
She expressed her desire for numerous songs to endure the test of time.
Additionally, in 2022, she will star as a darker-skinned version of the original character in the Peacock streaming service’s remake of “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” playing the role of famous fashion diva Hilary Banks.
Even though she doesn’t know what to do to be ready for the Grammys on February 4 in Los Angeles, the native Tennessean is doing what she can and has her sights set on a specific award.
She went on to say, “I think best new artist would be the most shocking because I think best new artist is outside of genre, and so the competition is stiff for that award.” This was just her opinion.
