Coco Jones Describes How Her Life Changed After She Started Speaking More Highly Of Herself
Actress and singer Coco Jones is a bonafide superstar.
The 25-year-old is currently starring in the hit Peacock series Bel-Airand dropped a debut EP, What I Didn't Tell You, last year, which includes some of the girlies' favorite songs, "ICU" and "Caliber."
But what many don't know is that Jones' road to success had a couple of setbacks, such as failing to receive any leading roles following her successful Disney Channel film Let It Shine and being dropped from her record label in 2014.
During a recent interview with Hot 97, Jones opened up about her career journey and how things started looking up when she began speaking positive words over her life.
Coco On The Navigation Of Her Career
In the conversation, Jones recounted her Disney Channel days, being signed to the company's label Hollywood Records, and why her career failed to take off.
The star stated that she was first signed to the label at 15 and was dropped shortly after because her management at the time and Hollywood Records didn't know which direction to take Jones' career, something she expressed was "scary and sad."
"I got signed at 15, and then I got dropped at around 16, turning 17. So I was just like, what do I do? I'm out here by myself. I don't have a team. I don't have management. That was one of the main things I was praying for 'I just need a team that knows what to do with me,'" she said while describing how fearful she was after being dropped from Hollywood Records. “Because I had management and I had a label, they all didn't look like me. They did not understand me. They just wanted to try this formula out on me. That was very scary and sad. Not having any clue of what was going to change for me or if it ever was."
Later, Jones disclosed it was at that moment she wondered if she should come up with a "Plan B" or continue to pursue her passion for singing and acting. The "Double Back" vocalist decided not to give up on her dreams because she claimed it would be a "scarier" experience due to life's endless possibilities.
"Do I have to have a Plan B now? Like what would my life look like? Should I go home? It was scary both ways, but it was scarier to give up. That's what I tell people like 'just don't give up that day, and then the next day do the same thing,'" she said.
Jones would further elaborate her statement by encouraging others not to "quit on your worst day" regarding their goals because they would have gained many valuable lessons by the time their moment of success arrives.
Coco On The Importance Of Speaking Highly About Oneself
Also, in the interview, Jones shared how she started to notice a shift in her personal and professional life after switching how she spoke to herself and why she intentionally added positive messages in her music.
When discussing the significance of representation within the entertainment industry, Jones revealed that it is important because she and others would see roles go to girls of a lighter complexion. The actress added that the past experience made her prioritize how others viewed her and her worth, a message she now shares in her music.
"Psychologically, seeing other lighter girls get every job can mess with your literal mental health as a kid as you're coming up in this world," she explained. “But that's another reason to why I make songs like ‘Caliber’ on my EP. Because what I'm really saying is I have standards like you're not going to be able to just treat me any type of way. Like, get on my level. Can you bring something to the table, or are you just taking from me, you know? Because music is life! What you are saying in these songs becomes life. I just be thinking like I want to give girls another option."
Jones would wrap up her sentiments by saying that her inspiration behind adding positive messages in her music for women stemmed from the personal changes she saw in herself when switching her tone.
"All just more positivity because I realized when things started to change in my life like my circumstances started to change and people were paying attention to me again after years of what seemed like my world being over, it was because I was speaking better things about myself and what I could have," she said. "Words are powerful. I really am intentional with the words I put in my music. I want the girls singing my songs to be speaking life over themselves."
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Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
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Tisha Campbell Shares Why She Got A Mommy Makeover & And We’re Here For The Transparency
Tisha Campbell is still here. Here. Here. Here. (If you know, you know.) The 56-year-old actress and singer is living her life loudly and without apology, all while keeping it real about the work she's had done.
While gracing the 2025 BET Awards red carpet last week, the My Wife & Kids alum let it be known that she has nothing to hide as she revealed to Entertainment Tonight that she recently had a mommy makeover. "I had extra skin from the baby and a little bit of droppage here and a little bit of droppage there," she shared with the outlet as an exclusive. "They tighten me together."
The mother of two shared that changing her body wasn't about anyone else; it was first and foremost about pleasing herself. "I'm a single mom, not ready for dating," she added. "But I just wanted to feel good for me."
Why Tisha Campbell Chose to Share About Her Plastic Surgery
Tisha isn't new to keeping it a buck and has always been transparent about subjects that others might shy away from, whether it's about her decision to walk away from the show that put her on the map as an actor or her decision to walk away from a 22-year marriage to ex-husband Duane Martin. Cosmetic surgery is simply another topic for the Tisha to be open about.
Even in a post-BBL era, cosmetic procedures are something that is still taboo to talk about, especially among women in Hollywood who have spent decades in the public eye, like Tisha. The self-proclaimed "open book" shared her why behind disclosing her surgery:
"I just think it's more important for people to know why one does it. If you wanna feel good about you. And I just wanted to be honest about it," she told ET. "I think it's more important, to be honest, to know that you know I didn't all this by myself. It's nice to be a little bit more snatched around that area."
Tisha Campbell is serving confidence and honesty about her mommy makeover 👶✨ #BETAwards #tishacampbell #kyliejenner #mommymakeover
So, What Is a Mommy Makeover?
For those who are unfamiliar, a "mommy makeover" refers to a combination of cosmetic procedures and can differ for every woman depending on her personal goals. While the overarching intention of a mommy makeover is often to "restore" their bodies to their "pre-baby" status, the procedures are customizable and ultimately based on what feels good to her personally.
This might look like a tummy tuck or liposuction, a breast lift, reduction, or augmentation, a labiaplasty, or any other nips and tucks that support how they feel in their bodies after giving birth.
What stood out in Tisha's clip wasn't just her transparency in action, but also the intention behind her decision to have surgery. She waited until her sons Xen, 23, and Ezekiel,15, were older to have her procedure and made it clear that she centered herself in her choice. In her new season life, this is how she is honoring herself.
"For me. It's not for everybody, it's for me."
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