As a dedicated fan and follower of Coco Jones’ career, I am thoroughly impressed by her journey from music to acting, mirroring that of Will Smith’s evolution from Fresh Prince to leading man on the big screen. Her role as Hilary Banks in Bel-Air is not just a testament to her versatility but also a reflection of her relatable struggles with social media pressures and romantic entanglements.
Just as Will Smith began his journey in hip-hop (MC) before transitioning to acting in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, Coco Jones initially found her passion in music. However, she later became a child star on Disney and secured the role of Hilary Banks in the modern adaptation of the ’90s sitcom, “Bel-Air”.
On August 1st, prior to the third season debut on the 15th, the pair performed together at a barbecue event held at Universal Studios Backlot in Los Angeles. During their act, Smith recited the verses of his Grammy-winning song “Summertime”, while Jones took charge of the chorus.
As a fellow artist juggling acting, music, and television roles just like Will, I hold him in high esteem. Performing alongside him was an exciting chance to boost not only our shared project but also exceptional artistry.
In the modern adaptation of Bel-Air, the character played by Jones, Hilary, is still the trendy and mature sister of the Banks family that viewers of the original sitcom will remember. However, unlike in the original series where she often sought financial aid from Uncle Phil (Adrian Holmes), this Hilary is a social media influencer and aspiring entrepreneur with a love for cooking. She establishes an influencer house along with her friend Ivy (Karrueche Tran) to create a secure environment for female content creators.
As a gamer, I can certainly understand the weight of needing to build up a solid following and engagement to land sponsorships, much like Hilary experienced in previous seasons. It’s a challenge I face too when trying to promote my gaming career.
Jones points out that there’s a constant struggle of observing what others achieve on social media and feeling inadequate or overwhelmed, either by not doing enough or revealing too much. However, he emphasizes that at the heart of it all lies authenticity. As long as whatever he does aligns with his truth, it will resonate with the right audience.
In the third season, finding suitable romantic connections remains challenging for Hilary, as her past feelings for Jazz (Jordan L. Jones) may jeopardize her renewed relationship with ex-boyfriend LaMarcus (Justin Cornwell). The reason behind their ongoing incompatibility, according to Jones, is succinctly explained: “They’re just too different.”
I find myself saying, “I believe there’s a lot of balanced and contrasting traits in them. However, these qualities seem to conflict significantly on the matters of utmost importance. Just because you’re incredibly at ease with someone doesn’t necessarily mean that compatibility is there; it just means that you feel extremely comfortable together.”
Regarding why her character hasn’t discovered this revelation yet, Jones explains, “At the start of season three, Hilary is in a state of bliss, and she’s also evading the crucial questions she needs to address within herself. She seems very charming, but she’s actually being evasive due to her avoidant personality traits.”
In seasons one and two of “Bel-Air”, stars from the original series “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” such as Tatyana Ali (Ashley Banks) and Daphne Maxwell Reid (Vivian Banks) made guest appearances. For season three, Joseph Marcell, who portrayed Geoffrey in the original series, will join the cast. This is a beloved part of working on the show for the new cast, headed by Jabari Banks’ Will Smith.
Jones expresses her delight, saying, “I’m absolutely thrilled by all the fantastic stars who are joining our production!” She continues, “It’s such an exciting validation to receive recognition from other gifted performers. Plus, the chance to collaborate with these talented individuals is something truly special, especially since I’ve always admired similar collaborations in shows that I’ve enjoyed in the past.”
Even though Karyn Parsons, the original actress of Hilary, hasn’t been seen in Bel-Air yet, she has highly commended Jones for his fresh take on her cherished role.
Jones shared that we had an excellent chat, and she mentioned how choosy she usually is, but she appreciates my take on Hillary. She showed her agreement by giving a thumbs-up, which was really exciting for him.
As a longtime fan of music and entertainment, I am thrilled to see the success of Jones, who has managed to excel in both the music and acting industries with grace and talent. Having followed her career for several years, I can attest to the hard work and dedication she puts into every project she undertakes. It’s not easy to juggle two demanding careers, especially when they require such different skillsets, but Jones seems to have found a way to make it work.
“Jones admits that she genuinely enjoys having some distance, as her everyday life is filled with mental clutter from juggling multiple responsibilities,” she shares, leaving open the prospect of Hilary taking the stage someday. “I find it amusing to imagine her struggling with a microphone or being my polar opposite.”
One role Jones wouldn’t hesitate to blend her passion for music and acting is the character of Princess Tiana. Last year, her audition video for this role on what seemed like a social media platform went viral, as she expressed her desire to play the main character in a potential live-action remake of “The Princess and the Frog“. When asked if Disney has contacted her, Jones cryptically replied, “If I did, you would be aware,” before qualifying her statement. “To be honest, I’d rather not disclose it because that Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) might get triggered, right?”
The initial three episodes of the third season of “Bel-Air” will debut on Peacock starting August 15, with fresh episodes becoming available each Thursday.
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2024-08-14 18:26