Coco Jones Bio
Courtney Michaela Ann Jones, known professionally as Coco Jones, is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She first gained prominence as a teenager through Disney Channel, starring as Roxie in the 2012 television musical Let It Shine. After releasing music with Hollywood Records, she faced industry setbacks but returned in 2022 with a major label deal and the hit single ICU. The song earned her a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance in 2024 and marked her breakthrough as a recording artist. Jones also stars as Hilary Banks in the Peacock drama series Bel-Air.
Early Life and Background
Coco Jones was born Courtney Michaela Ann Jones on January 4, 1998, in Columbia, South Carolina. She was raised in Lebanon, Tennessee, by former NFL player Mike Jones and session vocalist Javonda Jones. Her father played in the NFL, and her mother worked as a session vocalist, providing both athletic and musical influences in her upbringing.
Jones began performing at a young age. She sang “America the Beautiful” at her kindergarten graduation and met with Disney casting executives by age nine. These formative experiences sparked her interest in acting and songwriting, setting the foundation for her future career in entertainment.
Path to Acting and Music
In 2010, Jones competed on Radio Disney’s The Next Big Thing competition series, which launched her professional career. She signed with Hollywood Records shortly after and began appearing in Disney Channel productions. She guest-starred on the sketch comedy series So Random! and made appearances in the sitcom Good Luck Charlie, building her portfolio in television and music.
Her first major role came in 2012 when she landed the lead part of Roxie in the Disney Channel Original Movie Let It Shine. She co-starred with Tyler James Williams and contributed to the soundtrack, performing several original songs. The movie became the most-watched Disney Channel Original Movie of that year, establishing Jones as a rising talent.
Coco Jones Career
Early Career (2012–2013)
Following Let It Shine, Jones continued working with Hollywood Records. She released her debut single “Holla at the DJ” in December 2012, with its music video premiering on the Disney Channel. Her extended play Made Of reached the top 10 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart in March 2013. She toured with Mindless Behavior and performed at the Radio Disney Music Awards, taking home an award for “Funniest Celebrity Take.”
Building Momentum (2014–2022)
Jones was dropped from Hollywood Records in 2014, shifting her focus to independent music releases and acting projects. She appeared in the 1950s-era jazz film Flock of Four in 2018. During this period, she spoke publicly about facing colorism in the entertainment industry, explaining that executives had deemed her not marketable enough following her success in Let It Shine.
In 2021, Jones was cast in the starring role of Hilary Banks for the Peacock drama series Bel-Air, a reimagining of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The series premiered in February 2022 and ran through 2025, marking a significant milestone in her acting career.
Breakthrough (2022–Present)
In March 2022, Jones signed a new artist deal with High Standardz and Def Jam Recordings. Her major label debut single “Caliber” was released later that month, serving as the lead single for her EP What I Didn’t Tell You. The EP was released in November 2022 and included the single “ICU.”
The song “ICU” became Jones’s first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 63. The track received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America. At the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in 2024, Jones won Best R&B Performance for “ICU” and received a nomination for Best New Artist.
Notable Works and Milestones
Jones continued releasing music throughout 2024. She performed the National Anthem at WrestleMania XL in Philadelphia in April 2024. She partnered with Disney in August 2024 for a reimagined release of Princess Tiana’s “Almost There” from The Princess and the Frog. She released her sixth extended play, Coco by the Fireplace, in November 2024.
In April 2025, Jones released her debut studio album Why Not More?. The album entered the Billboard 200 and earned critical acclaim. It received a nomination for Best R&B Album at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. Its lead single “Here We Go (UhOh)” was nominated for Best R&B Song at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.
Coco Jones Award Nominations
Jones received five total Grammy Award nominations at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in 2024. The nominations included Best New Artist and Best R&B Performance for her single “ICU.”
Coco Jones Awards Won
Jones won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance in 2024 for her single “ICU.” This marked her first Grammy Award win and represented the culmination of her return to music after her years in the Disney Channel spotlight.
| Award | Wins | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Grammy Awards Best R&B Performance | 1 | 2024 |
Coco Jones Family
Coco Jones was born to former NFL player Mike Jones and session vocalist Javonda Jones. Her father played professional football before her birth, and her mother worked as a session vocalist, providing musical inspiration in the household. She has several siblings including brother Mike Jones Jr., who formerly played football for LSU, sister Aja, and brother Steven.
Personal Life
In July 2023, Jones announced her engagement to basketball player Donovan Mitchell. The couple began their relationship in 2023 and has since become public about their engagement.