Quantcast
RELATED

The dramatic reboot of the ‘90s classic sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-air titled Bel-Air premiered Sunday night after the Super Bowl. The cast is filled with newcomers such as Jabari Banks who plays Will and longtime actors such as Coco Jones who plays Hilary Banks. But while Coco is not new to the game, people are still discovering her talent after breaking away from the Disney Channel.


The 24-year-old is on the path to greatness while following in the footsteps of other successful actresses who came from Disney Channel fame such as Zendaya and Raven-Symoné. Her role as Hilary shows her in a new light as a grown woman who is determined to find her independence outside of her family.

Get to know Coco below:

Coco Got Her Start on Disney

Coco began her career on the Disney channel at just 12 years old. After winning Radio Disney’s “Next Big Thing” competition, she landed roles on the channel’s TV series such as So Random! and Good Luck Charlie. She also went on to star in the 2012 film Let It Shine alongside Tyler James Williams.

She Can Rap and Sing

The actress is also in her singing bag. She’s released singles like “Holla at the DJ” and “What I Said” which is from the film Let It Shine, but she can also spit a hot verse. While visiting The Terrell Show, which is a show where guests play a game of song association, Coco rapped Busta Rhymes verse in Chris Brown’s song “Look at Me Now.” She also likes to share videos of herself singing on TikTok.

She Believes Her Career was Stalled Because of Her Skin Color

While on The Terrell Show, she also addressed her career halting after achieving some success on the Disney Channel and citing the difficulties she faced being a dark-skinned Black woman. “I think it was just a matter of not the right team as well as not enough people pushing me to success through those barriers,” she said. “When I got these deals and things, etc. they weren’t catered to a Black girl. It was like, ‘you got this,’ but give it white. And I was like how though? I feel like they weren’t thinking how do we make this Black girl work, it was more so how do we make this formula work on this Black girl.”

Her Role as Hilary Banks in the Reboot Is Different from the Original 

The original Hilary Banks, played by Karyn Parsons, was a stylish, yet stuck-up, entitled daddy’s girl who for a long time depended a lot on her parent’s wealth. Coco’s version, however, shows Hilary as a more independent woman who is trying to make her own path, but still has the fashions on lock. Coco spoke with HuffPost about her evolved character.

“Hilary is grounded. She’s a hustler. She’s determined. She has all these ideas of how she wants her life to play out,” Jones said. “Regardless of what people say, regardless of what happens, she’s going to make that happen. I think that mainly Hilary is relatable, and she’s hardworking, she believes in herself and she’s confident. I think people will love that.”

Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.

Featured image by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for BET+

 

RELATED

 
ALSO ON XONECOLE
Sagittarius-zodiac-sign-October-2025-horoscopes

December is about letting go. We end the year with the need for more peace, reflection, and rejuvenation, and that is exactly what December is providing for us. The Sun is in Sagittarius, and anything is possible. This is the month to believe in that and to know that the universe is supporting you. With a Supermoon in Gemini as we begin the month as well, we have an opportunity to gain the closure we have been looking for this year and to wrap up old projects, ideas, and communication breakthroughs.

This is the month to make your peace the priority and let go of trying to control the way the tides are turning. Trust in your new beginning, and give yourself time to prepare for it this month.

KEEP READINGShow less
Do You Expect Others To Read Your Mind? Here's The Problem With That.

Omniscience. If someone were to offer you $100 right this second for the definition of that word, could you immediately provide it? If you’re not sure, basically omniscience is about being able to know everything — and to those who believe in God, only he is given that honor. For those who believe in Satan? Not even he is omniscient (as much as he would like people to think otherwise).

Sometimes, it might feel that otherwise because some beings and even people are truly masterful when it comes to reading body language, observing patterns, and picking up on cues. Still, no matter how much it might seem like someone can read someone else’s mind, they can’t. It is literally impossible — and I will briefly expound on that in just a moment.

KEEP READINGShow less
LATEST POSTS