When the Peacock authentic sequence Bel-Air debuted final 12 months, it reimagined the unique sequence within the truest sense. Where the unique sitcom was extra of a lighthearted, fish-out-of-water story, Bel-Air arrived with a decidedly dramatic edge. And whereas Will might have nonetheless left West Philadelphia for the gated mansions of LA, he discovered himself reckoning with the conflicts, biases, and feelings of the world round him in a extra critical means.
With a brand new season of Bel-Air returning, the present is elevating the stakes. Will, Jazz, and your complete Banks household are all again to choose up the place they left off and navigate the relationships that exist between them. And identical to in Season 1, followers can count on all of the dramatic plot twists to be backed by an iconic soundtrack, which can embrace tracks from Kendrick Lamar, Meek Mill and Tyler, The Creator.
The new season additionally sees the return of Will’s cousin Hillary Banks, who shocked followers in Season 1 when she struck up a relationship with Jazz. Hillary is performed by the multi-talented Coco Jones, who, along with performing, made her major-label debut final 12 months with the discharge of her EP What I Didn’t Tell You (Deluxe).
For the Record sat down with Coco, who dished on the brand new season of Bel-Air, what it’s wish to juggle music and performing careers, and what makes her character, Hillary, tick.
With the brand new season of Bel-Air simply across the nook, what can followers count on?
I feel they’ll count on extra jaw-dropping drama, as a result of that’s what we do. But I’m actually curious to see how they take pleasure in studying extra about these characters and attending to see them function in deeper methods. I really feel in the beginning, they had been launched as these nostalgic characters with a brand new storyline. But now you understand who these individuals are, what they’re going via. And I feel will probably be fascinating for followers to see how that performs out.
Are there any ways in which you drew inspiration from the unique sequence on the subject of your character, Hillary?
Definitely, the OG Hillary has a lot confidence and poise. I simply love the female power she exuded, and it makes her actually fascinating. I studied how she enters a room, and even the funnier sides of her. She was form of quirky, and so I took a few of that as effectively—not solely to make Hillary really feel actually well-rounded, but additionally to have that nostalgic poise about her.
Given that Hillary is an aspiring influencer, are there any latest viral developments you suppose she’d be actually into?
There are these viral recipe movies the place folks strive essentially the most random issues, like Jolly Ranchers of their wine or frying one thing loopy. And Hillary actually delves into cooking tradition, so I feel she would like to faucet into that development and make her personal commentary sort of TikTok channel.
Was there any music you and the solid actually acquired into whilst you had been filming?
I feel what I actually take pleasure in about my solid is that all of us have related passions, however totally different inspirations. So I feel we put one another on to loads of music. For instance, Olly Sholotan (who performs Carlton) actually loves The Weeknd, so he confirmed me songs that I’d by no means even heard earlier than. Jabari Banks (who performs Will) is tremendous into throwback and nostalgia. And Simone Joy Jones (who performs Lisa) is absolutely into jazz and alt music. And you understand I like R&B. So it was enjoyable exhibiting one another totally different kinds and introducing one another to totally different music.
You additionally not too long ago launched a brand new EP and had been named as one among Spotify’s Artists to Watch. What’s it like engaged on each facets of your profession on the identical time?
I feel it’s been a tremendous and difficult blessing. Like, I’m not going to complain that each of the issues that I like to do are closely, closely occurring on the identical time. I feel it’s taught me quite a bit about my work ethic and the way a lot ardour I actually have for these items to have the ability to go from one factor to the opposite and nonetheless discover the power to be sure that I give it all the things I’ve.
Are there any songs out of your EP that you simply suppose Hillary would take pleasure in?
Oh my gosh, sure! I feel Hillary would love my single “Caliber.” It’s simply the epitome of her. She has very excessive requirements for herself and people round her. In the primary season of Bel-Air, she’s actually leveling up Jazz. She’s like, “Let me put you on. You don’t even run a social media profile and you’re missing out on marketing. What are you doing?”
She’s very a lot an “I will level you up”–sort of lady. I feel she’s searching for that very same ying to her yang in her life, and I feel “Caliber” embodies that. But I feel she’d love my complete EP, to be trustworthy.
If you may play any character in a reboot of any film or present, who would it not be?
Wow. I’ve at all times mentioned that I wished to do a brand new model of Charlie’s Angels as a result of there’s a lot cool know-how. We might actually make this film actually visually spectacular. I’m very athletic and I like a kickboxing class. I really feel like I might actually try this.
Is there something you’d wish to say to followers of your performing or followers of your music?
I undoubtedly wish to say thanks. And what I like to share and continually remind anybody who’s a fan of me is that the journey that’s yours might be going to take a special route, or at the least totally different timing, than you anticipated. So don’t let your coronary heart consider that issues gained’t occur as a result of they’re not going precisely to plan.
Would you give related recommendation to aspiring artists or actors?
I really feel like the primary factor it’s good to be a profitable singer, actor—or truthfully something—is you simply have to not quit. Of course, there are going to be days the place you’re not impressed otherwise you’re hella discouraged. But don’t quit on that day, after which go to the subsequent day, after which do the identical factor. If you keep it up, someday you’ll search for and nice issues may have occurred.
Ready to find extra from Coco Jones? Check out her EP What I Didn’t Tell You (Deluxe) now.