July 20, 2021 • 42 mins
Michelle and Coco take us on an inspirational journey! The ladies discuss Coco’s background, navigating the music industry and the importance of staying true to who you are. CHECK IN to this episode if you need a little boost to your confidence.
Follow Coco on social media!
Twitter: @therealcocoj
IG: @cocojones
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Checking In with Michelle Williams, a production of
My Heart Radio and The Black Effect. Hey, everybody, it's
Michelle Williams. Thank you so much for checking in. Listen.
(00:22):
Things are about to get so real on checking in
with Michelle Williams. Y'all, today is such a good day.
My guest is an amazing young star. She's a singer, rapper, songwriter,
and an actor. Please welcome to checking in Miss Coco Jones. Hello, listen,
(00:45):
you have an amazing social media following. You are a
burst of energy, such a cool sense of humor. Um.
You opened up in twenty on YouTube about how you
kind of felt overlooked um in Hollywood or maybe you
felt like your careers maybe stalled due to industry's prejudices. Now,
(01:08):
even though that was just maybe a year ago, how
are you feeling since then since you opened up about
how you've been feeling? Wow, that is a great question.
Of course. I love to talk about it and be
transparent because what I learned since then is that transparency
is my key, Like, that's my key to winning for me.
(01:30):
It's not necessarily a number or a dollar sign. It's
a level of honesty that I feel like I wasn't.
I wasn't. I was too afraid to have before this
video came out. Um, this video that I did, and
so for me, ever since the video, I feel more supported,
(01:51):
especially by my fan base, but also I've had like
artists and actors and executives reach out to me like
like Coco, like we've been there, and also we see you,
like we know about you, We're keeping times on you,
We're watching you like you know what I'm saying, Like
you're not in a sense forgotten because for a while
(02:11):
I feel like I was out here swinging at air
like I'm not gonna hit anything, you know. And so
ever since the video, I felt a lot more of
just support, which I didn't know that I was ever
gonna get. But because I was so honest and just relatable,
you know, people felt like they had the opportunity to
(02:33):
share their journeys as well. And um, even if you're
not in the industry, you can take something away from
just the truth that I told, which is that, like,
I was extremely disappointed by how things played out, and
I'm just picking myself back up from all of that disappointment. Okay,
what I'm loving is that sometimes we can say things. Um, well,
(02:54):
there's a cult called do it Afraid, and your case,
you you say it afraid and to the point where
your strength strengthens other people to speak up or to
get something off of your chest. And then it's like
your transparency breeds so much support from other people who
might be feeling the same thing that you're feeling. So
(03:17):
I commend you, um, someone that is so young to
do what you were able to do. What age did
you get started? Um? I would say about nine is
when I dropped the basketball and picked up the microphone.
Come on, come on, so at age nine? Man, what
was I doing at age nine? I think I was.
(03:37):
Of course, I was in school, going to vacation Bible school.
I was in church every day all day. And did
you know that, Hey, this is what I want to
do as a young star and go on one of
the top networks of all time for children and youth?
(03:57):
Was that your goal in your focus to say I'm
going on here for Disney? You know what? I would say?
In a way, it was my goal without me knowing
how to articulate that. Like I've had instances where I
would watch movies like Cheetah Girls and I would stay
up till two am, learning the choreography and learning the
songs so that in the morning I could perform it
(04:18):
for my family. Oh my gosh, yes, yeah. Or I
was just never camera shy. I always was the center
of attention. And then I found out about talent shows
and I was like, Okay, well, now I want to
win that. So I think in a way I knew
what I wanted to do. I just didn't know what
that looked like. And when the opportunities came about, which
(04:39):
they could have for any child to audition for Disney Channel,
I was at a cattle call with five thousand other kids,
but I just made an impression because I wanted it
that bad. And for those who are not familiar with
this part of your life, at nine years old, you
grew up where and what city and state? Oh yeah,
(05:01):
I was in Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee, and for the most part,
I um was working with super old country man who
just didn't know what I was trying to do as
this young black hip hop girl. But um, it just
didn't phaze me. I just knew I was gonna get
where I was going to go. We all know, Nashville
(05:22):
to be a music mecca. But you knew then as
you were just saying, Nashville might not be the place
where I'm actually going to make it. When you said
you did a cattle call of five thousand people, where
is that located? I don't remember exactly where it was located.
I mean somewhere in the city, but I remember it
(05:44):
was advertised just like everywhere, so anyone could hear about
it and make that drive. So it wasn't necessarily just
Tennessee kids. It was kids from all over the place
waiting in this big place. I feel like it was
like a hotel or something. It looked like that, waiting
in this place for their two seconds to do their
two lines that they had already heard two thousand times before.
(06:07):
Oh MG, did anybody ever tell you this is why
you stood out? I also think I took a mile
when I got when I could get an inch, so
I know I did more than what they allowed me
to do. Every time I went in that room, I
did more than what they asked me to do. Um,
because I was like, no, you're not. I'm not done
performing yet. So I have a couple more things to say,
(06:29):
or I have an adal song to sing, But either way,
I have to walk out of this knowing that, Um,
I did everything I could do, because even at a
young age, I knew it was kind of out of
my hands. But I knew that somebody was gonna sing
in there, somebody was gonna dance harder. Who is that
going to be? Is it gonna be me or some
other kid? And at nine years old, where where do
(06:50):
you think you got that mindset to say do more
than what you know other people are going to go
in there and do. Definitely my father, Um, he played
professional for ball for ten years. So before I was singing,
I was a competitive, competitive act and um, there was
just always this work ethic instilled in us. That's like,
(07:11):
somebody's gonna be the hardest worker, somebody's gonna be the
best and most prepared. Is it gonna be you? Only
you can decide that. You know, you're sounding like an athlete,
Like you're sounding more like you you you had the
mindset of an athlete training for the Olympics or training
for a draft of some sort. Because in order for
(07:33):
your dad to play professional football for ten years, the
drive and the discipline that he had, someone had to
instill it in him, develop him, and nurture him. That's
pretty unheard of, especially at that age. And so I
think the other lesson is, I don't know how this
can work in every setting, but to be prepared to
(07:54):
do more than you act. So it seemed like you
were prepared, you just didn't go and do those two
lines and didn't have a monologue or routine or a
song in the bag to sing. I mean, because the
worst thing that could happen is you get an opportunity
and not know what to do with it. And I'm
not gonna act like I'm perfect. I've had auditions where
(08:17):
I could have came stronger, but I wasn't ready. And
I feel like the thing that I struggle with is
maintaining in the low points. Like as a kid, I
feel like there was so much optimism mixed with a
little delusion that there was never a low for me.
If I wasn't singing, I was at school and I
was having a great time at school. And if I
(08:37):
wasn't there, I was on the stage like it was
all super fun to me. But as I got older
and I started to put more of my value in
the singing in the industry than when I wasn't doing that.
I felt like I wasn't good enough and they weren't
believing in me. So it was something wrong with me,
and it was harder for me to keep that drive
through those moments where I didn't feel like I was
good enough, even though I knew I was working hard enough,
(08:59):
but they weren't. It wasn't getting acknowledged. So you know
what I'm saying, It gets hard, absolutely, Cocole. I was
looking at you know, when you graduate from school or
high school, and you get your senior year book and
you get to write down your dreams and goals. And
so in seven, I graduated from high school and listen,
(09:25):
I was reading where how I said I wanted to
be a recording artist. I wanted to sing background for
a few artists. I wanted to be a producer and
all this stuff. And so then it said ten years
from now, I want to be a successful recording artist.
So that was in seven. So by the year two
(09:46):
thousand seven, both things happened. I sank background. I sank
background for Monica, and then I joined Destiny's Child maybe
like six months after that. Right, So the nerve and
the audacity at the at age to write that stuff down,
and it happened. But I said, where along the line
did that audacity leave? Mm hmm from nine years old
(10:12):
until so I know what happens. Um Like you said,
you put value and certain things that you shouldn't put
value in other than the only thing I should have
ever kept value in was my belief and the power
of my words and what I write. Period. You know,
there's a reason that there's so many motivational quotes and
(10:33):
so many inspire yourself outlets and self development self growth
things to participate in because it's such a battle to
do the opposite. It's so much easier and more gratifying
to the flesh to give up because it's just like
I'm done, Like it's too hard over here. And obviously
(10:55):
it's hard because the payoff is going to be worth
the hard anything great, it's gonna be terrible getting there.
Nobody the easy road. Where is that Real sacrifices have
to be made. You're gonna miss out on things. And
I mean, for me, my audacity, I think I can
pinpoint it to the day. I think it was the
(11:17):
day that I got dropped from my label because I
had been doing all this a praying all this believing
I pretty much if I could put all my faith
on it, I feel like I did, and it just
fell apart and I didn't do anything except what I
was told to do, you know what I'm saying, And
(11:38):
I gave all of myself even when I knew I
didn't like the records, I didn't like the direction, I
didn't like the the the plan created for me, I
still was gonna kill it, you know. And so for me,
I think that was when I was like, you know what,
this is just a little too painful from my heart,
Like I just I think it was just like like
(11:59):
being in a relationship and then breaking up, like you
had all these new plans for how your life was
going to pan out, and so you're lucky have to
mourn for that life plan that you you know, attached
your heart too. That is a loss, That's correct. We
had to grieve that loss, and I definitely had to
grieve it. And then it also made me question like
just because I put all my faith on it, I
(12:21):
was like, so then what was it? Was it my
faith that didn't work or what? You know what I'm saying,
Like I had so many questions about way more than
just music, like in my personal life, and then also
colorism through through a little final touch on there where
I was like, well, I skinned girl and d you
know what I'm saying, Like it was a combination. And
(12:41):
I mean as a darks and black woman, that that
combination is gonna be there, you know what I'm saying. Um,
But I think it was just too much for me
at that time, and so I was like, yeah, I'm
just I started to make my goals so small, Michelle,
like they were just so achievable that I would never
get heartbroken again. M hmm. Thank you for being transparent
(13:01):
and a hint of being vulnerable, of even saying what
you were saying about a hint of colorism. Um, if
I'm not mistaken, you said that a director had asked you,
could you be a little more wider now when you
look at us, we're black girls. So you couldn't have
(13:24):
meant me to lighten up my complexion? Did you mean
be a little So colorism can be based on your
complexion and how you come across, how you talk. You know,
I've I've I've seen things where we're looking for someone
a little more urban. M what that mean? Oh? Oh,
(13:48):
if it's because I pronounced my words, you need somebody
that don't quite enunciate, is what you're saying. You know
what I mean? Do you mind sharing what happened after
that casting director asked you to come back whiter? Uh? Well,
first of all, I gave it my best bet because
I wanted the job. So I was like, okay, well
(14:10):
I'll get curly hair, which easy change. Um. One of
my oh, I think it was the lady at the
beauty supply store. She was like, girl, you need to
get these color contacts, because I was cool with the
people at the bats store, like I would go there.
So I put these colored contacts in, and you know
what's crazy. I look back at that now and I
(14:31):
can laugh at it, but I'm like, that is sick
that I just was like okay, like sure whatever. But
I also think that's a part of being an actor
and quote unquote dressing for the role, which I've done
thousands of times in plenty of different situations. And even
my other races of friends that are actors, like I
(14:52):
have a bi racial friend who is half Mexican half black,
and so sometimes they're like a little more here, you know,
Checkana like whatever, you know what I'm saying, Like okay,
and then she really straightened her hair and she does
like whatever. The stereotypical thing is that these Caucasian casting
or you know what I'm saying. So I didn't take
that too personally because I've seen that happen to other
(15:15):
races of girls that are my colleagues and stuff. But
it was kind of crazy that I just was like,
you adapt to you, you do it. You know what
I'm saying, Like I will never let the industry hurt
me the way it did, because like I said, it
was like a child growing up. You know what I'm saying,
Like you all kind of grow up and lose your
in a sentence in a way of that fairy tale mindset.
(15:36):
And so for me, um, I just adjusted did what Yeah? Yeah,
I have a similar story as far as my name change.
My name is Tanitra. Michelle is my middle name. Oh wow.
So I remember being in a marketing meeting and I
was asked, you know, could you please go by Michelle
instead of Tannitra because who do you think little girls
(15:59):
would most to be like Michelle or Tanitra? So that
stung for sure, and I was like, my mama gonna
be real upset, and she was, I named you Trump,
and so I think I was a little bit like you, like,
I'm not gonna let this be a deal breaker, and
(16:21):
I'm gonna trust these marketing experts who do projections and
who knows what's best. And then I just remember a
handful of artists that I knew of who did not
go by their first name. Actually, one of my favorites
on television right now a Sunny houstin of the view.
(16:42):
Sunny is a derivative of what her actual name is,
right or Chili from TLC. You know, she's Rasanda Kelly
is Callendria Roland. Yeah, but I think she I think
Kelly has always gone by Kelly. But yeah, there is
a little teach off that's still going on even twenty
(17:05):
years later. I mean, you know, with you sharing your story,
what you shared in so, I just wanted to share
that with you to let you know you're not alone
in certain things of black versus Why the who do
you think people will most want to be like? And
I know that, and I appreciate you so much for
sharing that, because Wow, I had no idea, and I
(17:25):
go by Coco my name is fully courtinate. But um
I I think it's more about this is the life
I chose. Like as I've gotten older, I've started to
look at it instead of being like why why, I
look at it like I was chosen, Like I'm long
enough to be here, I'm determined enough to stay here.
(17:46):
I'm talented enough to win here. That's why I'm here.
And I would never take it personal. I would take
all the constructive criticism because I haven't made it yet.
Once I make it, then maybe I won't be able
to tell me. But but maybe I might be able
to tell me more because now I want to keep
the success rolling. Like I think, if it's more like
this is, if this was if I was a dentist,
(18:07):
somebody is gonna have something to say about the way
I'm a dentist. Somebody might not want to work with
me because I'm a black dentist. But either way, I'm
gonna keep killing them teeth. You know what I'm saying,
Because that's Oh, listen, the confidence that you have. Did
you always have that or was that also nurtured and developed.
I've always been a confident kid, even when I was
(18:30):
the only black kid in my grade, I was still like, oh,
what's up, Like everybody messed with me. I was always
pretty confident. I think once I started to sing and
I saw the way it made people react, then I
was like, oh, I like to um see that reaction.
And even when I'm performing, like I will be up there,
like it has been a full hour set and I've
(18:52):
had two SIPs of water and I'm sweating and I
don't even notice because I'm feeding so much off of
these people that are feeding off of me. To have
me like ignites this thing in me that makes me
be like, I gotta kill it. I have to. Absolutely,
I am just sitting here just beaming because I'm I'm
actually sitting here excited for you. We've definitely got a
(19:16):
twenty year age difference, and so I'm excited of what's
going to happen. Thank you. You know, by the time
you reach my age of almost forty two, you know,
So I'm truly, truly, truly, truly thrilled for you. I
actually have asked something to ask you if you'd beat
into it. Yeah, um, you are a vet in the game.
(19:38):
And I think my biggest crossroads right now for me,
like I have a new team behind me, and I
have a bunch of like executive and stuff really watching
what I'm doing next. And so the question now is like,
how do I sound as an artist now that I'm
twenty three and I'm not fifteen? Like? What am I saying?
What am I talking about? How sexual am I talking?
(19:58):
What am I wearing? What am I looking like? Who
am I putting myself out there as? Because like not
that this is my last window of opportunity, but this
is my biggest window of opportunity to make, like to
read claim my self as an artist. And so I
guess my question for you is like, when you were
going through your journey, how did you figure out like
(20:19):
your niche and yourself and did you ever get tempted
to be like her her her or do what's winning,
do what's selling? And you know what I'm saying, absolutely, um,
of course I had my start as an R and
B singer. We then transition into a pop superstar group,
and so I wondered. I was like, man, I knew
(20:41):
I wanted to do gospel music because that is my
first love, But sonically, how is it supposed to sound?
Is it supposed to sound traditional gospel or can it
have the more pop sounding inspirational sound. So I can
say that I went through that as far as sonically,
but I don't think I ever lost my identity as
far as what I'm about, because I don't think it
(21:03):
would have gone over so well if I wasn't authentic.
Even when I was in the group, people was like,
that's a church girl. Yes, I I completely understand what
you're talking about. Did you feel conflicted being this church
girl who knew she was gonna sing gospel after all
this was said and done and being like and did
(21:23):
not and did not? You know, help me understand that,
because I mean, I love the Lord as well. Sometimes
I'm like a lot conviction, you know what, Like I
don't feel a thing. So five six seven, eight, Okay,
Now there are moments. I definitely took advantage of God's
grace at moments. So please don't get it twisted that
(21:47):
I'm some perfect um flawless being, because I am not.
The Only thing that kind of saddened me was because
I thought that I kept my faith so high in
the group. Was when I wanted to go over to
the gospel genre and I felt so much rejection. We
don't want you here stay over there. See absolutely, absolutely absolutely,
(22:14):
But you didn't mind, you didn't mind my name on
your roster to announce that I was going to be
making an appearance, but you didn't want me. And what
all comes with me and the fact that I felt
like I wanted to be a resource to the genre.
I didn't want anything. And I'm gonna say this, there
are times I didn't take a check from over there
(22:38):
first because I didn't need it, but I was like, no,
I really love God. I just I'm just I just
want to sing this music. That's it, okay. Secondly, because
I was so saddened, I was like, I'm never doing
gospel music again. I'm just so I made a pop,
a dance pop album because even my mom was like,
you need to make some more upbeat me music. So
(23:01):
I did that. Then my album six years after that
was a gospel album. But I was able to find
producers that were in R and B like harmony Samuel's
was done. Chris Brown Area did my most recent single, Amazing,
so he was a minister of music at a church
(23:23):
but still being at the at the studio, so he
understands the harmony. I know, I love harmony. I love
his brother's I'll be over there. Okay, So you get it,
you get it, you get it. So that's so. And
they did when Jesus said, yes we did, Yes we
did numbers, yes we did. So from from then on,
(23:44):
I've been totally free about my identity, what I bring
to the table, and who I am. And and once
you called coast, stay authentic to who you are. The
right people will gravitate to who you are and those
the right moments, as long as I wasn't because sometimes
you might compromise. There are times maybe I did because
I feel, well, I can't bring my light to this
(24:05):
project or this situation. And then there's gonna be some
instances in which you will, you know what I'm saying.
So just as long as you can just walk in
any door you know and be as authentic as possible,
you know, it's kind of like making sure that you
continue to speak up in the way that you have
that seems to be authentic for you. You seem confident
(24:27):
in any situation, You're not gonna let anybody talk to
you crazy. Although we can't control what people say, but
I think you have a handle on how you're going
to choose to respond oh yeah, okay, perfect, And so
I would say in instance, like you saw with Gabrielle
Union and how she talked about her hair and just
about um speaking up for yourself on a production, and
(24:48):
I think, um, you will be in a position where
you're gonna use wisdom without jeopardizing your paycheck either, you
know what I mean. So I could see the fear
when you released what you did on YouTube, like what
did I just say? What did I just do? But
(25:10):
like I said, you helped to usher in strengthen others,
you know, to do the same thing now with everything
that you've gone through, the foundation of this podcast is
about mental health. Right. Although we were check in about everything,
we're checking about people's careers and relationships, were checking about
your upbringing like we just did right now, right about
(25:31):
growing up in Nashville, being nine years old, you go
from being an athlete to picking up the microphone and
everything that you've had to deal with in Hollywood. Has
there been a small effect as it relates to the
health of you mentally? Um? Yes, definitely. Um. I feel
(25:52):
like you have to be so mentally strong to stay
consistent here. I think in at my lowest points. I
don't really know if it was me being depressed, because
I'm not sure. I feel like I wouldn't know if
I was. I think I was just discouraged. And um
(26:15):
that led to me kind of having a negative outview
on everything, like I would never say that, but I
knew in my mind, Like I was like, well, just
in case this doesn't work out, I have a plan
vc Andy, like I'll never let you out play me again,
Like you know what I'm saying. Like I was just
so overprotective of my own dreams that I was like,
I don't have any like I want to just I'll
(26:35):
just go wherever. And I would put this label on it,
like whatever God wants for me, and it would make
I would make it look like I have all this faith,
but I'd really be like I'm scared, so like whatever
happens is just what happens. I don't want to ask
for anything. I don't want to like, I don't want
to be disappointed again. So whatever it's gonna be, it's
gonna be. I don't want to care. I don't want
it to bother me at all. Um, And I think
(26:57):
one of the best things that happened to me was
one of my best friends that came into my life
who is just so optimistic. And I used to look
at her like I would say, in my mind, was like,
she don't even know disappointment, Like just wait so that
stuff don't happen. She's gonna be sick. And she would
have low points and she'd be like, I'm still gonna
do it. It's still gonna happen. And I'd be like, God,
(27:20):
how come she can believe? I don't even think she
she's not Christian. I'm like, how come she has more
faith in you for her life and for the outcome
of than I was like, I know versus, I know principles,
I know these truths, and I'm still scared. How is
that right? And so I think for me, like I
just I knew I didn't believe, and I just kept
(27:42):
being honest with God. I was like, I'm still scared.
I don't trust you. I'm sorry, I'm still don't trust you.
I'm sorry, like I know you love me, but like
I don't feel it, and like I don't know what
to tell you right now. Until it got to this
point where I was like, you know what, Look how
far I've come and why didn't this bad thing happen
when that could happen and I didn't this happen? And
then with more time I was like, oh, thank god
(28:02):
that didn't happen. Thank god I didn't sign that. Oh
my gosh. And then I started to look back and
be like, oh baby, you was protected. Come on, listen.
If it would have gone that way the way, I
would have lost my soul for un checked. I didn't
know listen. I was just I was just I'll here
about to get fed to the lines. I had no
idea what I was doing. I had no idea. There
(28:25):
are things that I have had. I've cried tears over
that I wasn't selected for a certain role or something,
and literally what I wanted would only last like one
season then to be canceled or scandal would surround a
certain opportunity, and I'm like, that's why I didn't get it.
(28:45):
And I got it, But Coko, I wanted to backtrack
to something that you were saying about how you weren't depressed,
but you were. You were probably discouraged, right, and all discouragement, sadness, frustration,
(29:05):
and anger. I just want you to know those are
legitimate human responses too, maybe not getting a role or
being told you're too much of this or that. You
could be angry about that, right, but at the same time,
nothing is wrong with you know, your friends say she's
being optimistic about some things, but also keep it real.
(29:26):
But how are you really feeling like I can be.
I could say, man, I'm disappointed I didn't get that role,
but God, my value is not in that role or
that audition. I know You've got something better for me.
You know, the old folks say rejection is protection or
rejection is redirection, definitely, and I completely agree all those
(29:47):
things were valid things to feel like I really put
my heart and soul into everything I did, and so
when people be like thanks, not good enough, you just
feel like out that really hurt. But I think how
I am now, Like I'm not that superguarded like all right, y'all,
never gonna hurt me again. I'm like, this is probably
gonna hurt a little bit because I care, but I'm
(30:08):
going to get to where I'm going to go because
look how far I've come, Like God didn't bring me
all this way just to be like okay, thanks, like
good luck, good luck on the rest of it. You
know what I'm saying, I just a little bit like
I have a purpose here and I have people that
are supporting me like crazy, and I'm not gonna just
walk away from my opportunity to be alife, Like I'm
going to make my voice heard and what I can't do,
(30:32):
God is gonna handle what I can do. I'm gonna
do absolutely because He's still giving you so much to
steward well, and like you said, things that are out
of the things that you can steward and foster, he
will always step in and do the rest. And I'm
just excited because this interview is flowing like a conversation,
(30:52):
which I always like things to flow like conversations because
you and I both know the interviews where you just
asked questions. I have to question, So, what's your plan?
What are you gonna do now? How is this? How
does he know? How was it to work with selling?
Tell I love you? So I'm really into the actual
being UM and the person of who I'm talking to
(31:14):
and making sure that they know that this is a
safe place. So thank you so much for sharing so much.
And I think I just hope the listeners you're feeling
the confidence you're feeling the okay. If you get knocked down,
you get back up. I hope you're feeling worth something.
If somebody says something maybe a little mean to you
(31:35):
or or a little off putting, that you can just
kind of brush it off, because your value really is
not placed in who is accepting of you and who
has something nice to say to you. Cod Because I
could sit up here and say something crazy to you.
It might sting, but don't put too much stock into it.
I'm not that kind of person anyway. But for a minute,
you're gonna be like, dangn that was me, right, I mean,
(31:59):
of course we are being okay. How are you coping
during the pandemic? I think the pandemic was good for
me because obviously the con was I felt like I
was wasting my time and money being out here in
l A. When the whole industry was shut down. I
was like, now, y'all know, I could have moved. Somebody
(32:20):
could have told me, and I would have went bad
to my parents. How are they still in Tennessee? They
moved to Florida. Now, I was like, man, I could
have been over here in Florida not worried about a
but in the positive light, I felt like I had
so much time to be like what am I doing here?
Like what am I chasing? What am I achieving? So
(32:41):
for me, it was a lot of self growth. And
then I spent a lot of time with my family,
and I got really big into therapy during the pandemic.
So we love therapy. I told all my friends, I'm like, look,
if y'all go to the doctor, y'all need to go
to therapy because it's the brain doctor for real. Oh,
I'm so glad to hear you say that, because we
(33:03):
just with me and Coco just want to encourage you.
Nothing is wrong with helping somebody help you process pain,
um process transition, or help you process a decision that
you want to make. You know, therapy, because when people
think of the word therapy they just kind of tense up,
like it ain't always to process bad stuff. Yeah, sometimes
(33:26):
I just start talking and then I'd be like, oh,
did not know that I had been holding some disappointment
in my heart in that area? Thank you, per It's
more like, Okay, good to know that needs to get fixed. Okay,
we'll work on that. Now. It's more like self development.
It's like if you want to be emotionally mature, if
you want to be wealthy, if you want to be fit.
These things all take practices that you have to instill.
(33:50):
And like, no, I don't want to go to the gym,
but like I want the results that come from going
to the gym. Let's sen come on, squat squat. Okay, okay,
it's giving weights, don't mail you know what I mean.
It's doing what needs to be done out here. I
love it. I love it. You have been amazing and
thank you so much for mentioning that you go to therapy.
(34:13):
Is that something that your followers are aware of? I
would say I've probably talked about it in a jokey way,
but I haven't sat here and be like, therapy has
changed my life. But I will tell somebody in a second,
therapy has changed my life. And I feel no embarrassment
towards that. Honestly, when I'm dating somebody, I'm like, do
you go to therapy? Because let's talk about me not
(34:33):
carrying your back because my back is already heavy. I'm like,
no more, Okay, I'm gonna need a back brace up
in here. Oh if g you are so right about that,
and then for that person to know like it's nothing
weak about it, then I'm gonna need you to learn
how do you handle your emotions? Why do you respond
the way you respond? Because I'm gonna be looking at
(34:56):
you like, oh, you got some pain you need to process.
You can all phone me, want to many times, okay,
and the one time is one too many? One too many?
Do not call me until you sat on the couch.
I think Also, it's more intimidating for somebody to be
so close minded to something like that. Nowadays, i'd be like,
all right, that's concerning. Like I feel like even if
(35:18):
it's not your thing, still being like, okay, well, what
is it entail for you? What has it done for you?
Like maybe you can learn something from my experiences. But
to just close off an idea that is really beneficial
in my life, that's unattractive. So even I don't say
he has to be going to therapy to be with me,
but like you have to be open to like the
(35:38):
growth that it's put in my life, so that maybe
that would inspire you to do some self development on
your side. Everybody wants somebody who's doing the work on themselves,
Like come on, we need. We're striving for health in
this crazy world. That's right, that's right. And you know
if you see the potential in somebody and you see
that man they're responding a little over the top in
this way, or you can tell you know that they
(35:59):
need the little work on their self esteem or their worth.
Nothing is wrong with saying, hey, I think you should
go process this with someone. UM, so thank you again
for sharing that you are a dynamic talent. Who are
the people that inspire you? I would say, I'm really
inspired by my mom. I don't know if that's stereotypical
(36:22):
or not. No, UM, but my mom has been. If
it wasn't for my mom, I would not still be here.
I would have never started these things because, um, when
I didn't know what to do, my mom would just
figure it out. Like we're just regular people, and these
opportunities are things that my mom found out about the
(36:43):
cast and call. She got me ready and drove me there.
I mean, I went on the stage, But how was
I supposed to How was I supposed to accomplish these
dreams at such a young age if somebody didn't pour
into them because they were going to see the payoff,
you know, because they believe in me. So I'm really
inspired by my mom and um, musically, I would say
I'm inspired by Scissa. I really like just the niche
(37:07):
that she created for herself. Yeah, she is the conventional
R and B artist. I feel like she's the the
awkward black girl who's like into like Earth and all
those things, and she like that's not coming, like you
know what I'm saying. Um, So yeah, those are just
a couple of the people that inspire me. Yeah. Would
(37:29):
you like to work with her one day? Oh, it's definitely.
She She's probably so annoyed hearing my name because I've
done some covers of her songs and they like rent
really well. And uh, I know she's like this girl
at this point, let's just get in the studio, come
all and come on. Well this is awesome because you know,
every week I'm telling somebody that you know, you can
(37:50):
literally speak or write your future. And so the next
thing I want you to speak are the project you
want to do next? Oh, well, I want to have
a number one debut album or should I say I'm
gonna have that? Okay, Well that's just what's gonna happen.
(38:10):
I want to do a amazing feature film. I want
to produce a TV show. Wow, amazing. Yeah, maybe I
would start into while though, okay, and you can thank you,
but just because I feel like representation is important, or
maybe I would cast another dark skin black girl. I
want to create more opportunities for dark skinned black women
(38:33):
in this industry. And I also want to do some
artists development. Um. I had this mentor when I was
coming up and I was not sure what was going
on with my music name Riddick and yeah, and I've
always thought about how she came in and helped me
cultivate my lyrics and my words when I was just
(38:54):
this fifteen year old girl, like what's going on? And
I would love to do that for somebody else that
I see potential and eventually pass it on. M M. Well, listen,
I'm so happy that you checked in today and just
brought such an amazing sparkle of light and uh sparkle
of energy, and I definitely want you to come back again.
(39:17):
We will have you back again because I know some
of the things that you named will probably happen within
the next two years. So that means that I plan
on being here on my podcast in the next two years, So, UM,
I definitely want you to come back because I know
you're gonna have even more to share. You've already given
us wisdom, and I know that you guys that are listening,
(39:39):
I just keep hearing and feeling the word confidence that
you can have confidence for any door that you aspire
to work in. So cocol thank you so much for
being with us today. Thank you so much, Michelle. I
had so much fun guys this podcast this week. UM,
(40:11):
I hope it's inspirational. I hope that all of my podcasts, um.
It just seems like they've been so uplifting and so inspirational.
It seems like there are people who have come on
this podcast within the past few weeks who have overcome
things that were probably meant to destroy them or meant
to definitely discourage them. And I know lots of times
(40:32):
you can get so discouraged in an area that you
might just hang it up and say, you know what,
I don't even want to try again. Why would I
work in an industry that can be so cruel and hateful.
But when you have a dream, prayerfully, your dream is
so much bigger than the obstacles that you might face
(40:52):
and obstacles. I believe they're meant to definitely be overcome.
So um, thank y'all so much for tuning in. Keep
sharing the podcast. It's growing, it's growing, it's growing. It
seems like some of y'all are telling y'all's friends, UM,
y'all better check in. I'm seeing some posts on Twitter
(41:15):
and Instagram. UM, one post that really stood out to me.
That's at Michelle. I have been binge listening to your podcast,
and I'm excited. I know the foundation of this podcast
is mental health, and I just love when people just
check in, even if we don't necessarily go into topics
(41:35):
related to mental health, the fact that we've got folks
checking in and they have a safe place to talk
and share their dreams with and share their hopes with.
And so I'm excited. I'm so excited about what this
podcast is turning into. So Coco, y'all tell everybody, all
the young people you've got to listen to this episode.
(41:58):
All right, thank y'all for checking in. We'll see you
next time. Checking In with Michelle Williams is a production
(42:42):
of I Heart Radio and The Black Effect. For more
podcasts from I Heart Radio, visit the I heart radio, app,
Apple podcast, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
Welcome to Checking In with Michelle Williams, a production of
My Heart Radio and The Black Effect. Hey, everybody, it's
Michelle Williams. Thank you so much for checking in. Listen.
(00:22):
Things are about to get so real on checking in
with Michelle Williams. Y'all, today is such a good day.
My guest is an amazing young star. She's a singer, rapper, songwriter,
and an actor. Please welcome to checking in Miss Coco Jones. Hello, listen,
(00:45):
you have an amazing social media following. You are a
burst of energy, such a cool sense of humor. Um.
You opened up in twenty on YouTube about how you
kind of felt overlooked um in Hollywood or maybe you
felt like your careers maybe stalled due to industry's prejudices. Now,
(01:08):
even though that was just maybe a year ago, how
are you feeling since then since you opened up about
how you've been feeling? Wow, that is a great question.
Of course. I love to talk about it and be
transparent because what I learned since then is that transparency
is my key, Like, that's my key to winning for me.
(01:30):
It's not necessarily a number or a dollar sign. It's
a level of honesty that I feel like I wasn't.
I wasn't. I was too afraid to have before this
video came out. Um, this video that I did, and
so for me, ever since the video, I feel more supported,
(01:51):
especially by my fan base, but also I've had like
artists and actors and executives reach out to me like
like Coco, like we've been there, and also we see you,
like we know about you, We're keeping times on you,
We're watching you like you know what I'm saying, Like
you're not in a sense forgotten because for a while
(02:11):
I feel like I was out here swinging at air
like I'm not gonna hit anything, you know. And so
ever since the video, I felt a lot more of
just support, which I didn't know that I was ever
gonna get. But because I was so honest and just relatable,
you know, people felt like they had the opportunity to
(02:33):
share their journeys as well. And um, even if you're
not in the industry, you can take something away from
just the truth that I told, which is that, like,
I was extremely disappointed by how things played out, and
I'm just picking myself back up from all of that disappointment. Okay,
what I'm loving is that sometimes we can say things. Um, well,
(02:54):
there's a cult called do it Afraid, and your case,
you you say it afraid and to the point where
your strength strengthens other people to speak up or to
get something off of your chest. And then it's like
your transparency breeds so much support from other people who
might be feeling the same thing that you're feeling. So
(03:17):
I commend you, um, someone that is so young to
do what you were able to do. What age did
you get started? Um? I would say about nine is
when I dropped the basketball and picked up the microphone.
Come on, come on, so at age nine? Man, what
was I doing at age nine? I think I was.
(03:37):
Of course, I was in school, going to vacation Bible school.
I was in church every day all day. And did
you know that, Hey, this is what I want to
do as a young star and go on one of
the top networks of all time for children and youth?
(03:57):
Was that your goal in your focus to say I'm
going on here for Disney? You know what? I would say?
In a way, it was my goal without me knowing
how to articulate that. Like I've had instances where I
would watch movies like Cheetah Girls and I would stay
up till two am, learning the choreography and learning the
songs so that in the morning I could perform it
(04:18):
for my family. Oh my gosh, yes, yeah. Or I
was just never camera shy. I always was the center
of attention. And then I found out about talent shows
and I was like, Okay, well, now I want to
win that. So I think in a way I knew
what I wanted to do. I just didn't know what
that looked like. And when the opportunities came about, which
(04:39):
they could have for any child to audition for Disney Channel,
I was at a cattle call with five thousand other kids,
but I just made an impression because I wanted it
that bad. And for those who are not familiar with
this part of your life, at nine years old, you
grew up where and what city and state? Oh yeah,
(05:01):
I was in Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee, and for the most part,
I um was working with super old country man who
just didn't know what I was trying to do as
this young black hip hop girl. But um, it just
didn't phaze me. I just knew I was gonna get
where I was going to go. We all know, Nashville
(05:22):
to be a music mecca. But you knew then as
you were just saying, Nashville might not be the place
where I'm actually going to make it. When you said
you did a cattle call of five thousand people, where
is that located? I don't remember exactly where it was located.
I mean somewhere in the city, but I remember it
(05:44):
was advertised just like everywhere, so anyone could hear about
it and make that drive. So it wasn't necessarily just
Tennessee kids. It was kids from all over the place
waiting in this big place. I feel like it was
like a hotel or something. It looked like that, waiting
in this place for their two seconds to do their
two lines that they had already heard two thousand times before.
(06:07):
Oh MG, did anybody ever tell you this is why
you stood out? I also think I took a mile
when I got when I could get an inch, so
I know I did more than what they allowed me
to do. Every time I went in that room, I
did more than what they asked me to do. Um,
because I was like, no, you're not. I'm not done
performing yet. So I have a couple more things to say,
(06:29):
or I have an adal song to sing, But either way,
I have to walk out of this knowing that, Um,
I did everything I could do, because even at a
young age, I knew it was kind of out of
my hands. But I knew that somebody was gonna sing
in there, somebody was gonna dance harder. Who is that
going to be? Is it gonna be me or some
other kid? And at nine years old, where where do
(06:50):
you think you got that mindset to say do more
than what you know other people are going to go
in there and do. Definitely my father, Um, he played
professional for ball for ten years. So before I was singing,
I was a competitive, competitive act and um, there was
just always this work ethic instilled in us. That's like,
(07:11):
somebody's gonna be the hardest worker, somebody's gonna be the
best and most prepared. Is it gonna be you? Only
you can decide that. You know, you're sounding like an athlete,
Like you're sounding more like you you you had the
mindset of an athlete training for the Olympics or training
for a draft of some sort. Because in order for
(07:33):
your dad to play professional football for ten years, the
drive and the discipline that he had, someone had to
instill it in him, develop him, and nurture him. That's
pretty unheard of, especially at that age. And so I
think the other lesson is, I don't know how this
can work in every setting, but to be prepared to
(07:54):
do more than you act. So it seemed like you
were prepared, you just didn't go and do those two
lines and didn't have a monologue or routine or a
song in the bag to sing. I mean, because the
worst thing that could happen is you get an opportunity
and not know what to do with it. And I'm
not gonna act like I'm perfect. I've had auditions where
(08:17):
I could have came stronger, but I wasn't ready. And
I feel like the thing that I struggle with is
maintaining in the low points. Like as a kid, I
feel like there was so much optimism mixed with a
little delusion that there was never a low for me.
If I wasn't singing, I was at school and I
was having a great time at school. And if I
(08:37):
wasn't there, I was on the stage like it was
all super fun to me. But as I got older
and I started to put more of my value in
the singing in the industry than when I wasn't doing that.
I felt like I wasn't good enough and they weren't
believing in me. So it was something wrong with me,
and it was harder for me to keep that drive
through those moments where I didn't feel like I was
good enough, even though I knew I was working hard enough,
(08:59):
but they weren't. It wasn't getting acknowledged. So you know
what I'm saying, It gets hard, absolutely, Cocole. I was
looking at you know, when you graduate from school or
high school, and you get your senior year book and
you get to write down your dreams and goals. And
so in seven, I graduated from high school and listen,
(09:25):
I was reading where how I said I wanted to
be a recording artist. I wanted to sing background for
a few artists. I wanted to be a producer and
all this stuff. And so then it said ten years
from now, I want to be a successful recording artist.
So that was in seven. So by the year two
(09:46):
thousand seven, both things happened. I sank background. I sank
background for Monica, and then I joined Destiny's Child maybe
like six months after that. Right, So the nerve and
the audacity at the at age to write that stuff down,
and it happened. But I said, where along the line
did that audacity leave? Mm hmm from nine years old
(10:12):
until so I know what happens. Um Like you said,
you put value and certain things that you shouldn't put
value in other than the only thing I should have
ever kept value in was my belief and the power
of my words and what I write. Period. You know,
there's a reason that there's so many motivational quotes and
(10:33):
so many inspire yourself outlets and self development self growth
things to participate in because it's such a battle to
do the opposite. It's so much easier and more gratifying
to the flesh to give up because it's just like
I'm done, Like it's too hard over here. And obviously
(10:55):
it's hard because the payoff is going to be worth
the hard anything great, it's gonna be terrible getting there.
Nobody the easy road. Where is that Real sacrifices have
to be made. You're gonna miss out on things. And
I mean, for me, my audacity, I think I can
pinpoint it to the day. I think it was the
(11:17):
day that I got dropped from my label because I
had been doing all this a praying all this believing
I pretty much if I could put all my faith
on it, I feel like I did, and it just
fell apart and I didn't do anything except what I
was told to do, you know what I'm saying, And
(11:38):
I gave all of myself even when I knew I
didn't like the records, I didn't like the direction, I
didn't like the the the plan created for me, I
still was gonna kill it, you know. And so for me,
I think that was when I was like, you know what,
this is just a little too painful from my heart,
Like I just I think it was just like like
(11:59):
being in a relationship and then breaking up, like you
had all these new plans for how your life was
going to pan out, and so you're lucky have to
mourn for that life plan that you you know, attached
your heart too. That is a loss, That's correct. We
had to grieve that loss, and I definitely had to
grieve it. And then it also made me question like
just because I put all my faith on it, I
(12:21):
was like, so then what was it? Was it my
faith that didn't work or what? You know what I'm saying,
Like I had so many questions about way more than
just music, like in my personal life, and then also
colorism through through a little final touch on there where
I was like, well, I skinned girl and d you
know what I'm saying, Like it was a combination. And
(12:41):
I mean as a darks and black woman, that that
combination is gonna be there, you know what I'm saying. Um,
But I think it was just too much for me
at that time, and so I was like, yeah, I'm
just I started to make my goals so small, Michelle,
like they were just so achievable that I would never
get heartbroken again. M hmm. Thank you for being transparent
(13:01):
and a hint of being vulnerable, of even saying what
you were saying about a hint of colorism. Um, if
I'm not mistaken, you said that a director had asked you,
could you be a little more wider now when you
look at us, we're black girls. So you couldn't have
(13:24):
meant me to lighten up my complexion? Did you mean
be a little So colorism can be based on your
complexion and how you come across, how you talk. You know,
I've I've I've seen things where we're looking for someone
a little more urban. M what that mean? Oh? Oh,
(13:48):
if it's because I pronounced my words, you need somebody
that don't quite enunciate, is what you're saying. You know
what I mean? Do you mind sharing what happened after
that casting director asked you to come back whiter? Uh? Well,
first of all, I gave it my best bet because
I wanted the job. So I was like, okay, well
(14:10):
I'll get curly hair, which easy change. Um. One of
my oh, I think it was the lady at the
beauty supply store. She was like, girl, you need to
get these color contacts, because I was cool with the
people at the bats store, like I would go there.
So I put these colored contacts in, and you know
what's crazy. I look back at that now and I
(14:31):
can laugh at it, but I'm like, that is sick
that I just was like okay, like sure whatever. But
I also think that's a part of being an actor
and quote unquote dressing for the role, which I've done
thousands of times in plenty of different situations. And even
my other races of friends that are actors, like I
(14:52):
have a bi racial friend who is half Mexican half black,
and so sometimes they're like a little more here, you know,
Checkana like whatever, you know what I'm saying, Like okay,
and then she really straightened her hair and she does
like whatever. The stereotypical thing is that these Caucasian casting
or you know what I'm saying. So I didn't take
that too personally because I've seen that happen to other
(15:15):
races of girls that are my colleagues and stuff. But
it was kind of crazy that I just was like,
you adapt to you, you do it. You know what
I'm saying, Like I will never let the industry hurt
me the way it did, because like I said, it
was like a child growing up. You know what I'm saying,
Like you all kind of grow up and lose your
in a sentence in a way of that fairy tale mindset.
(15:36):
And so for me, um, I just adjusted did what Yeah? Yeah,
I have a similar story as far as my name change.
My name is Tanitra. Michelle is my middle name. Oh wow.
So I remember being in a marketing meeting and I
was asked, you know, could you please go by Michelle
instead of Tannitra because who do you think little girls
(15:59):
would most to be like Michelle or Tanitra? So that
stung for sure, and I was like, my mama gonna
be real upset, and she was, I named you Trump,
and so I think I was a little bit like you, like,
I'm not gonna let this be a deal breaker, and
(16:21):
I'm gonna trust these marketing experts who do projections and
who knows what's best. And then I just remember a
handful of artists that I knew of who did not
go by their first name. Actually, one of my favorites
on television right now a Sunny houstin of the view.
(16:42):
Sunny is a derivative of what her actual name is,
right or Chili from TLC. You know, she's Rasanda Kelly
is Callendria Roland. Yeah, but I think she I think
Kelly has always gone by Kelly. But yeah, there is
a little teach off that's still going on even twenty
(17:05):
years later. I mean, you know, with you sharing your story,
what you shared in so, I just wanted to share
that with you to let you know you're not alone
in certain things of black versus Why the who do
you think people will most want to be like? And
I know that, and I appreciate you so much for
sharing that, because Wow, I had no idea, and I
(17:25):
go by Coco my name is fully courtinate. But um
I I think it's more about this is the life
I chose. Like as I've gotten older, I've started to
look at it instead of being like why why, I
look at it like I was chosen, Like I'm long
enough to be here, I'm determined enough to stay here.
(17:46):
I'm talented enough to win here. That's why I'm here.
And I would never take it personal. I would take
all the constructive criticism because I haven't made it yet.
Once I make it, then maybe I won't be able
to tell me. But but maybe I might be able
to tell me more because now I want to keep
the success rolling. Like I think, if it's more like
this is, if this was if I was a dentist,
(18:07):
somebody is gonna have something to say about the way
I'm a dentist. Somebody might not want to work with
me because I'm a black dentist. But either way, I'm
gonna keep killing them teeth. You know what I'm saying,
Because that's Oh, listen, the confidence that you have. Did
you always have that or was that also nurtured and developed.
I've always been a confident kid, even when I was
(18:30):
the only black kid in my grade, I was still like, oh,
what's up, Like everybody messed with me. I was always
pretty confident. I think once I started to sing and
I saw the way it made people react, then I
was like, oh, I like to um see that reaction.
And even when I'm performing, like I will be up there,
like it has been a full hour set and I've
(18:52):
had two SIPs of water and I'm sweating and I
don't even notice because I'm feeding so much off of
these people that are feeding off of me. To have
me like ignites this thing in me that makes me
be like, I gotta kill it. I have to. Absolutely,
I am just sitting here just beaming because I'm I'm
actually sitting here excited for you. We've definitely got a
(19:16):
twenty year age difference, and so I'm excited of what's
going to happen. Thank you. You know, by the time
you reach my age of almost forty two, you know,
So I'm truly, truly, truly, truly thrilled for you. I
actually have asked something to ask you if you'd beat
into it. Yeah, um, you are a vet in the game.
(19:38):
And I think my biggest crossroads right now for me,
like I have a new team behind me, and I
have a bunch of like executive and stuff really watching
what I'm doing next. And so the question now is like,
how do I sound as an artist now that I'm
twenty three and I'm not fifteen? Like? What am I saying?
What am I talking about? How sexual am I talking?
(19:58):
What am I wearing? What am I looking like? Who
am I putting myself out there as? Because like not
that this is my last window of opportunity, but this
is my biggest window of opportunity to make, like to
read claim my self as an artist. And so I
guess my question for you is like, when you were
going through your journey, how did you figure out like
(20:19):
your niche and yourself and did you ever get tempted
to be like her her her or do what's winning,
do what's selling? And you know what I'm saying, absolutely, um,
of course I had my start as an R and
B singer. We then transition into a pop superstar group,
and so I wondered. I was like, man, I knew
(20:41):
I wanted to do gospel music because that is my
first love, But sonically, how is it supposed to sound?
Is it supposed to sound traditional gospel or can it
have the more pop sounding inspirational sound. So I can
say that I went through that as far as sonically,
but I don't think I ever lost my identity as
far as what I'm about, because I don't think it
(21:03):
would have gone over so well if I wasn't authentic.
Even when I was in the group, people was like,
that's a church girl. Yes, I I completely understand what
you're talking about. Did you feel conflicted being this church
girl who knew she was gonna sing gospel after all
this was said and done and being like and did
(21:23):
not and did not? You know, help me understand that,
because I mean, I love the Lord as well. Sometimes
I'm like a lot conviction, you know what, Like I
don't feel a thing. So five six seven, eight, Okay,
Now there are moments. I definitely took advantage of God's
grace at moments. So please don't get it twisted that
(21:47):
I'm some perfect um flawless being, because I am not.
The Only thing that kind of saddened me was because
I thought that I kept my faith so high in
the group. Was when I wanted to go over to
the gospel genre and I felt so much rejection. We
don't want you here stay over there. See absolutely, absolutely absolutely,
(22:14):
But you didn't mind, you didn't mind my name on
your roster to announce that I was going to be
making an appearance, but you didn't want me. And what
all comes with me and the fact that I felt
like I wanted to be a resource to the genre.
I didn't want anything. And I'm gonna say this, there
are times I didn't take a check from over there
(22:38):
first because I didn't need it, but I was like, no,
I really love God. I just I'm just I just
want to sing this music. That's it, okay. Secondly, because
I was so saddened, I was like, I'm never doing
gospel music again. I'm just so I made a pop,
a dance pop album because even my mom was like,
you need to make some more upbeat me music. So
(23:01):
I did that. Then my album six years after that
was a gospel album. But I was able to find
producers that were in R and B like harmony Samuel's
was done. Chris Brown Area did my most recent single, Amazing,
so he was a minister of music at a church
(23:23):
but still being at the at the studio, so he
understands the harmony. I know, I love harmony. I love
his brother's I'll be over there. Okay, So you get it,
you get it, you get it. So that's so. And
they did when Jesus said, yes we did, Yes we
did numbers, yes we did. So from from then on,
(23:44):
I've been totally free about my identity, what I bring
to the table, and who I am. And and once
you called coast, stay authentic to who you are. The
right people will gravitate to who you are and those
the right moments, as long as I wasn't because sometimes
you might compromise. There are times maybe I did because
I feel, well, I can't bring my light to this
(24:05):
project or this situation. And then there's gonna be some
instances in which you will, you know what I'm saying.
So just as long as you can just walk in
any door you know and be as authentic as possible,
you know, it's kind of like making sure that you
continue to speak up in the way that you have
that seems to be authentic for you. You seem confident
(24:27):
in any situation, You're not gonna let anybody talk to
you crazy. Although we can't control what people say, but
I think you have a handle on how you're going
to choose to respond oh yeah, okay, perfect, And so
I would say in instance, like you saw with Gabrielle
Union and how she talked about her hair and just
about um speaking up for yourself on a production, and
(24:48):
I think, um, you will be in a position where
you're gonna use wisdom without jeopardizing your paycheck either, you
know what I mean. So I could see the fear
when you released what you did on YouTube, like what
did I just say? What did I just do? But
(25:10):
like I said, you helped to usher in strengthen others,
you know, to do the same thing now with everything
that you've gone through, the foundation of this podcast is
about mental health. Right. Although we were check in about everything,
we're checking about people's careers and relationships, were checking about
your upbringing like we just did right now, right about
(25:31):
growing up in Nashville, being nine years old, you go
from being an athlete to picking up the microphone and
everything that you've had to deal with in Hollywood. Has
there been a small effect as it relates to the
health of you mentally? Um? Yes, definitely. Um. I feel
(25:52):
like you have to be so mentally strong to stay
consistent here. I think in at my lowest points. I
don't really know if it was me being depressed, because
I'm not sure. I feel like I wouldn't know if
I was. I think I was just discouraged. And um
(26:15):
that led to me kind of having a negative outview
on everything, like I would never say that, but I
knew in my mind, Like I was like, well, just
in case this doesn't work out, I have a plan
vc Andy, like I'll never let you out play me again,
Like you know what I'm saying. Like I was just
so overprotective of my own dreams that I was like,
I don't have any like I want to just I'll
(26:35):
just go wherever. And I would put this label on it,
like whatever God wants for me, and it would make
I would make it look like I have all this faith,
but I'd really be like I'm scared, so like whatever
happens is just what happens. I don't want to ask
for anything. I don't want to like, I don't want
to be disappointed again. So whatever it's gonna be, it's
gonna be. I don't want to care. I don't want
it to bother me at all. Um, And I think
(26:57):
one of the best things that happened to me was
one of my best friends that came into my life
who is just so optimistic. And I used to look
at her like I would say, in my mind, was like,
she don't even know disappointment, Like just wait so that
stuff don't happen. She's gonna be sick. And she would
have low points and she'd be like, I'm still gonna
do it. It's still gonna happen. And I'd be like, God,
(27:20):
how come she can believe? I don't even think she
she's not Christian. I'm like, how come she has more
faith in you for her life and for the outcome
of than I was like, I know versus, I know principles,
I know these truths, and I'm still scared. How is
that right? And so I think for me, like I
just I knew I didn't believe, and I just kept
(27:42):
being honest with God. I was like, I'm still scared.
I don't trust you. I'm sorry, I'm still don't trust you.
I'm sorry, like I know you love me, but like
I don't feel it, and like I don't know what
to tell you right now. Until it got to this
point where I was like, you know what, Look how
far I've come and why didn't this bad thing happen
when that could happen and I didn't this happen? And
then with more time I was like, oh, thank god
(28:02):
that didn't happen. Thank god I didn't sign that. Oh
my gosh. And then I started to look back and
be like, oh baby, you was protected. Come on, listen.
If it would have gone that way the way, I
would have lost my soul for un checked. I didn't
know listen. I was just I was just I'll here
about to get fed to the lines. I had no
idea what I was doing. I had no idea. There
(28:25):
are things that I have had. I've cried tears over
that I wasn't selected for a certain role or something,
and literally what I wanted would only last like one
season then to be canceled or scandal would surround a
certain opportunity, and I'm like, that's why I didn't get it.
(28:45):
And I got it, But Coko, I wanted to backtrack
to something that you were saying about how you weren't depressed,
but you were. You were probably discouraged, right, and all discouragement, sadness, frustration,
(29:05):
and anger. I just want you to know those are
legitimate human responses too, maybe not getting a role or
being told you're too much of this or that. You
could be angry about that, right, but at the same time,
nothing is wrong with you know, your friends say she's
being optimistic about some things, but also keep it real.
(29:26):
But how are you really feeling like I can be.
I could say, man, I'm disappointed I didn't get that role,
but God, my value is not in that role or
that audition. I know You've got something better for me.
You know, the old folks say rejection is protection or
rejection is redirection, definitely, and I completely agree all those
(29:47):
things were valid things to feel like I really put
my heart and soul into everything I did, and so
when people be like thanks, not good enough, you just
feel like out that really hurt. But I think how
I am now, Like I'm not that superguarded like all right, y'all,
never gonna hurt me again. I'm like, this is probably
gonna hurt a little bit because I care, but I'm
(30:08):
going to get to where I'm going to go because
look how far I've come, Like God didn't bring me
all this way just to be like okay, thanks, like
good luck, good luck on the rest of it. You
know what I'm saying, I just a little bit like
I have a purpose here and I have people that
are supporting me like crazy, and I'm not gonna just
walk away from my opportunity to be alife, Like I'm
going to make my voice heard and what I can't do,
(30:32):
God is gonna handle what I can do. I'm gonna
do absolutely because He's still giving you so much to
steward well, and like you said, things that are out
of the things that you can steward and foster, he
will always step in and do the rest. And I'm
just excited because this interview is flowing like a conversation,
(30:52):
which I always like things to flow like conversations because
you and I both know the interviews where you just
asked questions. I have to question, So, what's your plan?
What are you gonna do now? How is this? How
does he know? How was it to work with selling?
Tell I love you? So I'm really into the actual
being UM and the person of who I'm talking to
(31:14):
and making sure that they know that this is a
safe place. So thank you so much for sharing so much.
And I think I just hope the listeners you're feeling
the confidence you're feeling the okay. If you get knocked down,
you get back up. I hope you're feeling worth something.
If somebody says something maybe a little mean to you
(31:35):
or or a little off putting, that you can just
kind of brush it off, because your value really is
not placed in who is accepting of you and who
has something nice to say to you. Cod Because I
could sit up here and say something crazy to you.
It might sting, but don't put too much stock into it.
I'm not that kind of person anyway. But for a minute,
you're gonna be like, dangn that was me, right, I mean,
(31:59):
of course we are being okay. How are you coping
during the pandemic? I think the pandemic was good for
me because obviously the con was I felt like I
was wasting my time and money being out here in
l A. When the whole industry was shut down. I
was like, now, y'all know, I could have moved. Somebody
(32:20):
could have told me, and I would have went bad
to my parents. How are they still in Tennessee? They
moved to Florida. Now, I was like, man, I could
have been over here in Florida not worried about a
but in the positive light, I felt like I had
so much time to be like what am I doing here?
Like what am I chasing? What am I achieving? So
(32:41):
for me, it was a lot of self growth. And
then I spent a lot of time with my family,
and I got really big into therapy during the pandemic.
So we love therapy. I told all my friends, I'm like, look,
if y'all go to the doctor, y'all need to go
to therapy because it's the brain doctor for real. Oh,
I'm so glad to hear you say that, because we
(33:03):
just with me and Coco just want to encourage you.
Nothing is wrong with helping somebody help you process pain,
um process transition, or help you process a decision that
you want to make. You know, therapy, because when people
think of the word therapy they just kind of tense up,
like it ain't always to process bad stuff. Yeah, sometimes
(33:26):
I just start talking and then I'd be like, oh,
did not know that I had been holding some disappointment
in my heart in that area? Thank you, per It's
more like, Okay, good to know that needs to get fixed. Okay,
we'll work on that. Now. It's more like self development.
It's like if you want to be emotionally mature, if
you want to be wealthy, if you want to be fit.
These things all take practices that you have to instill.
(33:50):
And like, no, I don't want to go to the gym,
but like I want the results that come from going
to the gym. Let's sen come on, squat squat. Okay, okay,
it's giving weights, don't mail you know what I mean.
It's doing what needs to be done out here. I
love it. I love it. You have been amazing and
thank you so much for mentioning that you go to therapy.
(34:13):
Is that something that your followers are aware of? I
would say I've probably talked about it in a jokey way,
but I haven't sat here and be like, therapy has
changed my life. But I will tell somebody in a second,
therapy has changed my life. And I feel no embarrassment
towards that. Honestly, when I'm dating somebody, I'm like, do
you go to therapy? Because let's talk about me not
(34:33):
carrying your back because my back is already heavy. I'm like,
no more, Okay, I'm gonna need a back brace up
in here. Oh if g you are so right about that,
and then for that person to know like it's nothing
weak about it, then I'm gonna need you to learn
how do you handle your emotions? Why do you respond
the way you respond? Because I'm gonna be looking at
(34:56):
you like, oh, you got some pain you need to process.
You can all phone me, want to many times, okay,
and the one time is one too many? One too many?
Do not call me until you sat on the couch.
I think Also, it's more intimidating for somebody to be
so close minded to something like that. Nowadays, i'd be like,
all right, that's concerning. Like I feel like even if
(35:18):
it's not your thing, still being like, okay, well, what
is it entail for you? What has it done for you?
Like maybe you can learn something from my experiences. But
to just close off an idea that is really beneficial
in my life, that's unattractive. So even I don't say
he has to be going to therapy to be with me,
but like you have to be open to like the
(35:38):
growth that it's put in my life, so that maybe
that would inspire you to do some self development on
your side. Everybody wants somebody who's doing the work on themselves,
Like come on, we need. We're striving for health in
this crazy world. That's right, that's right. And you know
if you see the potential in somebody and you see
that man they're responding a little over the top in
this way, or you can tell you know that they
(35:59):
need the little work on their self esteem or their worth.
Nothing is wrong with saying, hey, I think you should
go process this with someone. UM, so thank you again
for sharing that you are a dynamic talent. Who are
the people that inspire you? I would say, I'm really
inspired by my mom. I don't know if that's stereotypical
(36:22):
or not. No, UM, but my mom has been. If
it wasn't for my mom, I would not still be here.
I would have never started these things because, um, when
I didn't know what to do, my mom would just
figure it out. Like we're just regular people, and these
opportunities are things that my mom found out about the
(36:43):
cast and call. She got me ready and drove me there.
I mean, I went on the stage, But how was
I supposed to How was I supposed to accomplish these
dreams at such a young age if somebody didn't pour
into them because they were going to see the payoff,
you know, because they believe in me. So I'm really
inspired by my mom and um, musically, I would say
I'm inspired by Scissa. I really like just the niche
(37:07):
that she created for herself. Yeah, she is the conventional
R and B artist. I feel like she's the the
awkward black girl who's like into like Earth and all
those things, and she like that's not coming, like you
know what I'm saying. Um, So yeah, those are just
a couple of the people that inspire me. Yeah. Would
(37:29):
you like to work with her one day? Oh, it's definitely.
She She's probably so annoyed hearing my name because I've
done some covers of her songs and they like rent
really well. And uh, I know she's like this girl
at this point, let's just get in the studio, come
all and come on. Well this is awesome because you know,
every week I'm telling somebody that you know, you can
(37:50):
literally speak or write your future. And so the next
thing I want you to speak are the project you
want to do next? Oh, well, I want to have
a number one debut album or should I say I'm
gonna have that? Okay, Well that's just what's gonna happen.
(38:10):
I want to do a amazing feature film. I want
to produce a TV show. Wow, amazing. Yeah, maybe I
would start into while though, okay, and you can thank you,
but just because I feel like representation is important, or
maybe I would cast another dark skin black girl. I
want to create more opportunities for dark skinned black women
(38:33):
in this industry. And I also want to do some
artists development. Um. I had this mentor when I was
coming up and I was not sure what was going
on with my music name Riddick and yeah, and I've
always thought about how she came in and helped me
cultivate my lyrics and my words when I was just
(38:54):
this fifteen year old girl, like what's going on? And
I would love to do that for somebody else that
I see potential and eventually pass it on. M M. Well, listen,
I'm so happy that you checked in today and just
brought such an amazing sparkle of light and uh sparkle
of energy, and I definitely want you to come back again.
(39:17):
We will have you back again because I know some
of the things that you named will probably happen within
the next two years. So that means that I plan
on being here on my podcast in the next two years, So, UM,
I definitely want you to come back because I know
you're gonna have even more to share. You've already given
us wisdom, and I know that you guys that are listening,
(39:39):
I just keep hearing and feeling the word confidence that
you can have confidence for any door that you aspire
to work in. So cocol thank you so much for
being with us today. Thank you so much, Michelle. I
had so much fun guys this podcast this week. UM,
(40:11):
I hope it's inspirational. I hope that all of my podcasts, um.
It just seems like they've been so uplifting and so inspirational.
It seems like there are people who have come on
this podcast within the past few weeks who have overcome
things that were probably meant to destroy them or meant
to definitely discourage them. And I know lots of times
(40:32):
you can get so discouraged in an area that you
might just hang it up and say, you know what,
I don't even want to try again. Why would I
work in an industry that can be so cruel and hateful.
But when you have a dream, prayerfully, your dream is
so much bigger than the obstacles that you might face
(40:52):
and obstacles. I believe they're meant to definitely be overcome.
So um, thank y'all so much for tuning in. Keep
sharing the podcast. It's growing, it's growing, it's growing. It
seems like some of y'all are telling y'all's friends, UM,
y'all better check in. I'm seeing some posts on Twitter
(41:15):
and Instagram. UM, one post that really stood out to me.
That's at Michelle. I have been binge listening to your podcast,
and I'm excited. I know the foundation of this podcast
is mental health, and I just love when people just
check in, even if we don't necessarily go into topics
(41:35):
related to mental health, the fact that we've got folks
checking in and they have a safe place to talk
and share their dreams with and share their hopes with.
And so I'm excited. I'm so excited about what this
podcast is turning into. So Coco, y'all tell everybody, all
the young people you've got to listen to this episode.
(41:58):
All right, thank y'all for checking in. We'll see you
next time. Checking In with Michelle Williams is a production
(42:42):
of I Heart Radio and The Black Effect. For more
podcasts from I Heart Radio, visit the I heart radio, app,
Apple podcast, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
Popular Podcasts
40s and Free Agents: NFL Draft Season
Daniel Jeremiah of Move the Sticks and Gregg Rosenthal of NFL Daily join forces to break down every team's needs this offseason.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.