Like Will Smith himself, whose journey began with rhymes before he charmed audiences on screen in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Coco Jones found her first passion in music. Now, she’s stepped into the iconic role of Hilary Banks in Peacock’s fresh and dramatic reimagining, Bel-Air, proving her versatility and star power.
The worlds of music and acting collided recently when Jones and Smith shared a stage at a summer barbecue hosted at Universal Studios in Los Angeles. Ahead of the season three premiere of Bel-Air on August 15th, the duo treated attendees to a special performance. Smith, the original Fresh Prince, rapped his Grammy-winning hit “Summertime,” while Jones, the new Hilary Banks, lent her vocals to the chorus, bridging the gap between the beloved original and the contemporary reboot.
Coco Jones, the actress portraying Hilary Banks in Bel-Air, performs alongside Will Smith, the original star of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, at a promotional event.
“Will and I have this interesting parallel,” Jones shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “We both navigate careers that blend acting and music with our TV shows, so I really admire his path.” Reflecting on their performance, she added, “It was a fantastic opportunity to promote a show we’re both passionate about and celebrate great artistry.”
In Bel-Air, Jones reimagines Hilary Banks for a modern audience. While staying true to the character’s fashion-forward essence that fans remember from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, this Hilary is far from the daddy’s girl of the original sitcom. She’s a driven influencer and budding entrepreneur with a culinary passion, establishing her own influencer house with her friend Ivy (played by Karrueche Tran). This space serves as a haven for female creators, reflecting a contemporary focus on female empowerment and collaboration.
The series delves into the pressures Hilary faces in the influencer world – the constant need for followers, engagement, and brand partnerships. This is a reality Jones herself understands. “There’s always this element of comparison, seeing what other talented individuals are doing, their social media output, and feeling like you’re either not doing enough or perhaps overdoing it and losing that sense of mystery,” Jones explains. “It’s a constant push and pull. But ultimately, I try to remind myself that authenticity is what truly resonates with people. As long as I’m being true to myself, I’ll connect with the right audience.”
A promotional image from Bel-Air Season 3 featuring Coco Jones as Hilary Banks, showcasing her character’s stylish and modern interpretation.
Romance remains complicated for Hilary in season three. Her unresolved feelings for Jazz (Jordan L. Jones) create tension with her rekindled relationship with ex-boyfriend LaMarcus (Justin Cornwell). Jones offers a straightforward explanation for their ongoing romantic struggles: “They’re just fundamentally different.”
Expanding on this, she notes, “They possess a compelling yin and yang dynamic, but their core values clash on critical issues. Comfort and compatibility aren’t the same thing. Just because you’re comfortable with someone doesn’t automatically translate to long-term compatibility.” Hilary’s journey this season sees her navigating this realization. “Hilary starts season three in a state of blissful distraction, avoiding the deeper questions she needs to confront within herself. She’s projecting an image of put-togetherness, but underneath, she’s exhibiting avoidant tendencies.”
Bel-Air continues to bridge the gap between the original and the reboot through cameos from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alumni. Following appearances from Tatyana Ali (Ashley Banks) and Daphne Maxwell Reid (Vivian Banks) in previous seasons, season three welcomes Joseph Marcell, the original Geoffrey. (Jimmy Akingbola portrays Geoffrey in Bel-Air). This intergenerational connection is something the new cast, led by Jabari Banks as Will Smith, deeply values.
“I truly cherish the incredible talent that joins our show,” Jones enthuses. “Receiving that validation from such accomplished actresses and artists is amazing, and this cross-collaboration between shows I’ve always admired is truly special.”
Promotional image showcasing Jabari Banks as Will and Olly Sholotan as Carlton in Bel-Air season 3, highlighting the modern setting of the Fresh Prince reimagining.
Karyn Parsons, the original Hilary Banks, has also voiced her support for Jones’ portrayal. “We had a wonderful conversation, and she admitted she’s usually very selective but loves my take on Hilary. Her thumbs-up was incredibly validating,” Jones recounts.
Beyond Bel-Air, Coco Jones is making waves in the music industry. Having already won a Grammy for best R&B performance for her hit “ICU” earlier in the year, she is set to release her debut studio album later this year. Her latest single, “Sweep It Up,” was released on August 16th. Balancing a successful music and acting career is demanding, but Jones appreciates the distinction between her real-life persona and her on-screen foodie character.
“My personal truth is that I appreciate the separation. My real life is filled with the mental juggling act of balancing everything,” Jones admits. However, she doesn’t dismiss the idea of Hilary venturing into music within the show. “I think it would be hilarious to see her sing terribly, or be the complete opposite of me musically.”
Another role that could potentially merge Jones’ musical and acting talents is Princess Tiana. Her playful social media audition for a potential live-action Princess and the Frog remake went viral last year. When asked about Disney’s response, Jones playfully responds, “If they had, you’d know… Actually, I’d stay quiet because that NDA would be activated immediately, right?”
The first three episodes of season three of Bel-Air premiered on August 15th on Peacock, with new episodes releasing every Thursday.
