July 11, 2023 • 19 mins
I couldn't even form a sentence around this absolute GODDESS, Coco Jones. We deep dive in to the routes of Country, Faith and our (really mine that Coco just so happens to live in real life) aspirations of being a Disney Channel Star.. While of course dishing out the tea on ther relationship to Philly while playing the role of Hillary in the modern day Fresh Prince of BelAir! What an inspo, check out my soul sister in this episode of Serving SiRACHa!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:01):
Recorded live at the iHeart Studios inPhiladelphia. How is my AE markets It's
serving, Sir Rachel. Now here'srage. Maybe I'm starstruck. I don't
know. Maybe my buying her child. I'm lying. I'm literally I'm dying.
I'm okay, we'll get it together. Okay. Well, Hi,
Coco Jones. My name is Rachey. I'm a fan girling real hard right
(00:25):
now. Because I'm Coco, I'mwant to expose myself just a little bit.
Okay, I'm already jealous of you, but I'll explain why. Okay.
Um one, because in some lifetime, um, I wanted to be
a country girl, and then Iswore in some other separate lifetime, I
was a Disney Channel star. Ohwow, so you are double women.
You are literally the epitome of whatI aspired to be. Oh my god.
And now you're here in your truestform and I'm I'm watching you succeed
(00:48):
and it's so much fun and youmake it look fun. Thank you,
And I'm not gonna lie. Thisis where I expose myself. So this
morning, I'm meeting breakfast right andI usually don't do my research when it
comes to doing interviews because I'm evenlike calling them interviews, like bring them
chats, like I want them tobe like casual combo. But I'm like,
let I just like keeping on myCoco girl. Right. So I'm
going through your page and as I'mwatching your music videos, I'm like,
(01:10):
dude, my girl can act,right. And this is prior to my
knowledge that you were on Disney Channel, right, wow, So I was
like, you know what, andthat of course we're gonna get to the
part where you teach me how tosing that whole money thing. But anyway,
so I'm listening to your music whileI'm in the shower this morning.
I'm getting in my zone and readyto talk to Coco Jones and this song
from Let It Shine comes on,Oh Dear, But I didn't know you
(01:30):
were on Disney Channel, so I'mlike, this sounds like it could be
a Disney Channel song. I'm gonnaask her about that. And then I
went to a creed and I andthen I realized you had a whole So
imagine if I came in here andI was like, you should be on
Disney Channel. Do you ever hearthat? And You're like, bitch,
I've heard that before. Yeah,wow, so that's how your your career
kind of spearheaded. Was the firstlike whoa moment, let it shine was
(01:53):
It's very similar to what's happening now, like whoa, yeah big, this
is crazy. Yeah, you know. So it feels like deja vu in
a way, like this right nowin my life. But now I'm like
an adult and I'm like fully myself, So it's just like different. But
do you feel like an adult?Yes, the way that this business to
be business thing, I'd be likeat the end of the day, my
(02:17):
girl. No, seriously, Ireally do, And I feel like being
in the industry it grows you upfaster because at the end of the day,
you have to make decisions on thefly. Sometimes you're responsible for you
know, a lot of people arelooking to you to make sure you do
your job because that stems off andaffects how everybody's eating. Oh hell yo,
I do feel like I grew upa little faster. You know,
you're giving like on the count ofthree, okay, one, two,
(02:40):
three, Jennifer Hudson, Oh wow, Sails, I didn't know which way
you were going because I was justvery I was speaking very like business and
I feel like that's a Gabriel thingthat she's like known for that. But
now that you say it her too, Oh you are like you get Jennifer
Hudson all the time. You guysare giving doppelganger. But also I think
the nurturing mother motherly thing you're givingme right now, like if if I
were in trouble, I know you'dtake care of me. Oh, very
(03:02):
are you? Are you that friend? I am very much a friend.
I'm like, do you want thecute device or do you want the real?
Oh? Let's get into Okay,So we're gonna exchange numbers after this
because I need that okay all thetime. Wait, okay, so tell
me about where your endeavors are takingyou. Now. Obviously we can relate
because you're on bell Air and you'veactually made me fall in love with Hillary
versus when like Hillary was you know, Will Smith's era. But I love
(03:24):
your Hillary, thank you, andso like, tell us how that kind
of came about because based off yourmusic videos, obviously you're the triple threat
thing dance act, you got it. Yeah, so you were making that
full circle being on bell Air?But how did that kind of happen for
her? I mean, yeah,it was really just another audition that came
my way. And at the timeit was different because I had acting management,
(03:44):
so they were really more involved inlike every audition, you know,
and they were like pressing me todo the audition, but I didn't even
know what a reimagining meant. I'mlike, they want the same thing all
over again. I don't look likethat, Hillary, I don't give that.
So I was like, yeah,I don't make me do this.
It just doesn't make any sense.I was like pushing back and they were
like, girls, gonna get yourass on camera. Yeah, And so
I'm telling my friends, I'm like, I'm not even boozy like that,
(04:05):
and they were like I should goahead and dry. I'm crying, all
right. That's kind of how myradio career here started, because this is
where the whole country thing comes intoplaying. My first job in radio was
actually morning show host at a countrystation. But I'm from Philly, like
through and through Philly girl. Sowhen I got this gig and it was
out in like the Booneys of NewYork, They're like, we need like
(04:26):
a country morning show host. I'mlike, are you sure? Like you
I'm like a city girl through andthrough and now I'm in love with country
music. So I mean, beingfrom Nashville, do you feel like you
were like, h should I trydoing like the country thing or was that
never for you? My first trywas through like the gospel lane, Okay,
Like I literally was even in thislike little kids singing group for christ
same, but it just didn't Thedoors would never open, so we'd always
(04:50):
be like, Okay, what's thenext door? And then you know,
it just led to like R andB R and B pop music. Um,
but yeah, I did get surroundedby country music a lot, and
honestly, at the time, Ifeel like I learned a lot from the
live performances I would be seeing likesuper soulful music with grown you know,
band members. So I just learnedabout that live feel and that soul and
(05:11):
entertaining a crowd like about a reallyyoung age. But yeah, country music,
the lyrics be lyrics. Yeah,I'm like, y'all got some Shakespeare
energy up engineering because this is rideabout a truck and I'm over here crying
in the club. Dude, it'sreally there. The pin game is crazy
over there. So I really reallyadmire that. I'm sure that had a
lot to help you out in yourcareer. But I gotta say, you're
still taking me to church because Ican close my eyes and listen to a
(05:34):
song like Ice you and I openand suddenly I'm bawling. Goes back to
the whole pms. Do you knowwhat I mean with that being said?
I was when I was scrolling onyou this morning on Instagram and you did
the whole body I've been practicing allmorning and now my voice is fried.
I was really ready to come inhere and harmonize with you. And I'm
like, I'm not embarrassing myself likethat, No, but can you just
(05:56):
I want to I want to hearit in real time, just the word
body, no, no, no, well or the whole beginning of hands
on my body body. That wasThat was all that was almost there.
It was very closing. I swearto God. Maybe it was because you
heard it right crystal clear from me, right right, exam. We'll work
(06:18):
on it, we'll work on it. Off. Oh I was singing alongside
your Instagram I'm not That's how howserious you were. Really, you were
really really there was a goal.Yes, you were close to the goal
we work on. But the trustme. I don't know. I think
I'm fried after this. This iswhy I let you do the whole.
That was the last one, yourvocal fort that was the best one I
got. I'm gonna leave on ahigh, Leave on a high. I
(06:40):
love it. Oh my gosh.Okay, So I heard Roxy when she
came in here talking to you aboutvideos and touring. Uh are we doing
that? Oh? Absolutely? Okay. I've definitely been doing a lot of
one offs. And I had myfirst headlining show earlier this year, and
literally I was so emotional because thelast time I had seen crowds know every
song and sing them with their heartsixteen years old. Yeah, So I
(07:00):
was like Jereny, I like thegirls still get a very good, like
full circle moment for you, Andin a weird way, it like kind
of checks you on, like beinglike humbled. Do you know what I
mean? Yes, Like this littlegirl then did that? Yes? And
I think back to my younger self, Like some people are embarrassed with the
younger like child acting stuff. Iam unembarrassed. Every time I look at
(07:23):
my younger self, I remember howpassionate I was, how much I wanted
it, how how excited I was, and I'm just like, you go,
girl, it's gonna get a littleugly. But that's how I just
felt. With that little girl comingin here and hugging you. It's like
she just saw her person. Ican't even talk about it, girl,
not too much, because the bmsit really have you over here in water
(07:43):
works. I figured I want todo that, not the two men in
the other side of the room,like stop it, like not girl things.
Oh my god. Okay, Soyou were just at the Roots Picnic,
right, so frowlicking around Philly.Have you had to like, I
mean, being on bell Air youkind of have to like study like Philly
a little. Right. Well,that wasn't super my storyline, so trickling
trily, You're right, but itwas so hilarious. I was laughing at
myself because when I was here lasttime for the Roots Picnic, I like
(08:07):
was just on my phone and thenI look up and I'm in the car
on the hotel and I'm like,oh my gosh, they're riding bikes.
Yeah, and I'm like, ohmy gosh, they really do that.
Wait where you don't ride bike?You guys got where? First of all,
I pretendnesse I'm from the country.If we rode bikes at the bird
scooters now, is that? Like? Girl, we didn't have roads.
We were in the sticks. IfI started to ride a bike to civilization,
that's seven miles. It's true.What is this? That's true?
(08:28):
I am This is not a marathon. When I started working in country music,
someone referred to the country as thesticks, and I was like,
what stick are we talking about?I've done resolving literally like eat nature.
Wow. Yeah. I was like, oh my god, they really ride
bikes to the city here and theywere like doing tricks. I was like,
what the hell? And then theylike looked at the mirror and like
winked. I was like, stop, this is crazy, Like what the
(08:50):
world? That means you're comfy andyou should come back. All the time,
I was like, oh my littleenterteen and I was like, oh
my god, rebel. He's arebel. Stop wall Wait till you start
seeing them quatting and doing wheelis onthe quads. You see that yet,
I don't even know what the quadis. What is that quad? Like
the four wheelers? Oh, youcall them quads. I don't know what
you're tying that works? Too.Okay, but I don't know. But
quad makes sense like the four weget it. But that's pretty We do
(09:11):
math when we sing and talk anddo all those fun things. Sometimes I
see, I see, I gottaget like yeah, I gotta get like
y'all whow y'all right, I throwthat in here, do you Yeah?
But I think I try and makecountry a thing in the city. In
your country girl, era, I'mwaiting for yes, and I'm waiting for
some please. I almost want mycowgirl like pants. Girl. I just
really want to do to Nashville.Oh, I would I would die on
(09:33):
Broadway if I could. I I'mcrying, Well, are you a Broadway
girl? You know what? Ever? Since? Okay, so when I
really moved to LA I was seventeenand wow, yeah. By that time,
I had been working so much thatI was homeschooled, so I didn't
really get to see the city theway the city really is now. Oh
it's so different than a girl.Yes. Yeah. By the time I
was of age, I wasn't evenliving there anymore, so I didn't even
(09:54):
know what it gave. Wait,have you been yes girls adult? That's
why I'm like shook dot calm becauseI'm like, who told y'all to go
and get cool dot com? Yes? Because when I was there it was
giving sliwe city. But yeah,she she is elevated. Nash feel is
that girl? Wait till I guesswe just got to go back and like,
I know, I know. I'mlike now that I'm here, I'm
(10:16):
like, y'all, oh my god. All right, So all the cities
you've been, which one are youvibing with the most? Um? Well,
I will say I do love Atlantabecause I love trap music. And
I feel like everywhere I go,like I don't care if we in the
library, like it's bumping in there. Yeah. I just like that.
It's like this is the culture,Like what's going on here? What a
magical place? And I love toeat and they got the food food My
(10:39):
second place, New Orleans because Ilove to eat and oh m g yes
the food there go so crazy beyyes, DuMond all day period. Girl.
There's this place called Loretta's Authentic PreyLeans. It's in the cut.
Is that another thing for the sticks? No, it's not the sticks.
What's it's like, it's it's likeyou'll almost miss it if you don't look
(11:00):
you know, Okay, I gottalook. It's on the maps, but
like it's hard fine, like inthe like a country twying dictionary, the
six and the cut. Yes,yes, but girl, they are something
something noted for my next girl's traps. Okay, yes, ma'am. Wow
okay. And then amongst all thecities you've been, you're literally singing at
NBA Finals And what the crazy Imean singing in front of Lebron Was that
(11:22):
terrifying or um? It wasn't thatpart that was terrifying. It was how
quiet it got. Really. Yes, I was shook dot com because the
first time I performed the national anthem, yes, I was nine, but
I was also at a stadium andit was loud. Yeah. So even
when they were like rise for yournational anthem, it was still like I
heard loudness. When I tell you, I could hear a pin drop when
they said rise of national anthem inthe basketball stadium, I was like,
(11:45):
wait, so you would think becausepeople usually say like quiet so you could
focus kind of thing you prefer thenoise. I was just not expecting it
to give ghost town. Yeah,I'm like, how the hell are all
you people in there? And Iwas starting to do the math. I'm
like, all these people get soquiet. What a powerful thing. Oh,
that was not the time for meto be thinking about that, you
know. It kind of shook melike, oh my god, wait crazy
(12:07):
Okay, Oh my gosh. Iforgot my initial question because I got distracted
by the law when you were saying, like I brought the NBA Finals.
Now, thank you. You're noproblem. Okay, because you're you're venturing
around, You're doing the thing thing. I honestly don't know what you don't
do. Um, but I'm thinkingcollapsed for you in the future. Yes,
I mean, do you have alist of people you would love to
work with? Well, I havea bunch of different genres where I would
like to see That's what I'm saying. I don't see like I could see
(12:28):
you doing a trap song like youwere just talking about. Yes, okay,
I definitely would love to do that. Listen future he really Okay,
but I'm in the gym, it'sdude, Yeah, okay, because I'm
looking into the future, my futurebody. You know, there's layers.
There's layers for sure. Okay.I'm a pop smoke girl, So now
hold on, you ate that becausepop smoke is oh, I get hype.
(12:48):
Oh is okay? But um,yes, so I would love to
do something in trap. I lovetell novellas, I love Latin music,
and so I would. I woulddefinitely want to be with Bad Bunny and
Rosalia all of those girls. Butthere, oh, I'd lose my ship,
okay. But also gospel of course, yes, even being on stage
with Mary Mary at the Roots pickNick. I'm like, I gotta do
something in this lane because gospel isa huge part of who I am.
(13:09):
I feel like you should just youryour niche. Not that I'm telling you
what to do with your amazing careerthat you already have, but your niche.
Literally, I think what you couldconquer is everything. Like you could
actually have an album in every differentgenre, and I think they'd all fly
off the shelf. And that's justfrom your mouth to gods, that's what
manifest very much, very much.I can see that, and I know,
(13:30):
I like have to take my timebecause I'm very like a competitive I'm
from athletes, you know, soI'm like, I want to get to
these goals. But I'm your brother, like a star player on LSU right
now. My brother actually Jess wentpro, so yes, he plays professional.
Now he's with the Atlanta that's whyyou want to go Atlanta don't like
well, yes, because they supportmy people, that's right. But they
also support me heavily. Yeah.I just love the vibe over there,
so okay, yeah, but Ithank you. It's John. What's up?
(13:54):
Hey? But yeah, I havea lot of big goals. Okay,
I know everything in I see.Okay. I was gonna start this
whole day by like trying to figureyou out and for people that don't know
you so well, like, let'sask like basic everyday questions to see how
you answer them, because it saysa lot about a person, like huh.
One of them was gonna be doyou do you make your bed every
morning? I do? Okay?See, that made the same. It
(14:16):
starts your day off on like agood note. You did something, yes,
and then I feel like I'm ata hotel or something. Yes,
it's a new house please. Okay. Second one was gonna be if your
socks match today? They do?Mind? Don't? Oh interesting? I
know, but that's very rare forme, So I wasn't going to judge
you based off of that. Butmy third one was gonna be if you're
a scriptures or a hororscope girl.Girl, I'm a scriptures girl because I
(14:37):
feel like every single time scriptures hitfor me, oh yeah, my horoscopes,
I'll be like, you will havepizza to day. I'm like a
girl, you gotta tell me twice, but literally, like your guard is
up. I'm like sometimes, Idon't know that was very general, but
I do feel like scriptures, likeeven if it's like a kind of general
scripture, like there's something specific aboutit. Every time it hits I do.
(14:58):
I try and be really good aboutmy day devotions, and there's something
about the way that like God knowswhat you're going through and he just sends
you what you need to hear thatday. And that's when I have like
more of those like chill moments,Like for real, i'd be like,
oh he's really really Yeah, I'mlike, oh, thank you, and
he's kissed you sister. Okay,yes, no, for real, his
hands are over my life because there'sso many times where I almost gave up,
(15:20):
not even because of choice, justlike ran out of options here.
You know. Yeah, I've livedin a LA since I was seventeen.
That was not free, you know, and then when you're an actor,
like you get maybe one job ayear when you're starting out. You know
what I'm saying, Do you feellike you were swallowed up in LA?
Not necessarily swallowed up? I thinkI was just didn't know how big the
obstacle was I was conquering. Iwas a little naive. Do you think
(15:41):
everyone's out there for the same thesame reason. Absolutely everybody's there trying to
make it, so I think Ididn't have enough of information on how long
it could possibly take. So Iwas just like shocked and disappointed really soon
when I would rather have had likea bigger, grandiose perspective so that I
could look at everything from the biggerpicture. I kind of had to learn
how to do that, like teachmyself how to do that. Right.
Oh my god, when do youthink you had your like aha moment,
(16:03):
like I'm not quitting now because nowI'm fucking going Sorry I cursed. Oh
no, it's fine, I didanything about that. I'm like what,
um. There were a couple timeswhere I was like, Okay, well
the end of this story, becausedon't really see another opportunities. That makes
me sad for you, because thatfeeling of defeat is like it's super super
super traumatizing. It really is,yeah, like you don't match up.
(16:26):
No, it's not. It's notgiving the end. The fear of failure
is like my biggest same Oh mygod, you're you're my everything. But
I just looked at it like,okay, so it's gonna be hard regardless.
It's gonna be hard to continue.There's so much uncertainty. I don't
know when things will change, Idon't know if, and it's hard to
walk away. I don't want togo back to where I'm from and all
these people that I know and belike, hey, y'all just a regular
(16:48):
girl, like change in my mindquick. Yeah, you know what I'm
saying. So which hard am Igonna go with? You know? So
I'm just gonna go with this one. Wait, the one. I gotta
tell you my devotional today. It'slike, tell me one mantra you want
to live by, and mine waschoose your heart. Girl. I'm freaking
out, all right, I'm bringingout here you go, here, here
he go again. He's way,that's so weird. You just freaking said
(17:10):
that. I'm speaking out but yeah, no, and that that just goes
to show the positive perspective of whatyou just said is that you do have
the ability to change your mind anddo whatever the heck you want. That's
true because you's true one. Youhave the talent do anything you want.
But with that being said, likeyou could decide that you want to go
back and be a cowgirl and okay, but it's really about chasing peace.
(17:30):
Like, yes, I have alsolearned that even the best of the best,
people like you, don't know what'sgoing on over there. And I've
met people I look up to it, I'm like, oh, they're not
happy here. This is the vibe, and the grass probably look greener for
them at some point. Okay,So I'm like, let me just focus
on having peace. Everywhere. There'sgoing to be opportunities for uncertainty, there's
going to be opportunities for fear.But I'd rather just choose peace because life
(17:51):
is gonna be what it's gonna be, so I might as well enjoy in
the meantime. Take me to church. That was gospel right there. Oh
my God, see this, thisis what I want to do. When
I find my piece. I literallyjust go and listen to Coco Jones music,
close my eyes and wake up infull tears. It's like mine body
stuff. I don't know if thetears are good or bad, but they're
good. No, that means youlike hit myself. Yeah, when I
(18:11):
cry listening to music, that's that'sgood. Okay, and you do that
for me? Thank you, well, thank you myself piece Coco. I
freaking love you, dude, andyou need to come to Filly more often.
Okay, Yes, Peggy promise,yes, Okay, when your tour
takes you here. Yes, thisis the last thing I wanted to talk
about because the last time you wenton tour, I know it was for
an initiative. Was it not initiativebullying? Oh my god, not,
(18:33):
you're talking about what I was literalfetus. Yeah, I looked that up.
That's really hilarious. Yes, butI guess you can say, okay,
since you did your research, Yes, I did. First tour,
was youb you stopped the bullying?Yes? And I was definitely liked it.
Okay, but I loved it,Thank you. And I think people
should be pushing more of those thingsalong with They're like, they're there's got
to be a message behind it.But I think My message now is don't
(18:56):
give up on your journey. Thatwas because my question look at me and
think, wow, I should probablynot give up. Then it was worth
all of the uncertainty that I wentthrough, you know. Okay, So
when you go on tour and youcreate a theme for your tour and it
becomes just don't give up. Yeahremember me? Okay, Okay, we
talked about it, right and Idid. We did. We just got
concerned by Rachel the radio girl,by hilarious. But I will never forget
(19:21):
you bring it up my first tour. You stopped the belie right. I
think people should always theme out theirtheir tours. But thank you so much
for joining us. Thank you.You're welcome Philly all day every day.
You know that you don't have tohear from me, but thank you so much.
Recorded live at the iHeart Studios inPhiladelphia. How is my AE markets It's
serving, Sir Rachel. Now here'srage. Maybe I'm starstruck. I don't
know. Maybe my buying her child. I'm lying. I'm literally I'm dying.
I'm okay, we'll get it together. Okay. Well, Hi,
Coco Jones. My name is Rachey. I'm a fan girling real hard right
(00:25):
now. Because I'm Coco, I'mwant to expose myself just a little bit.
Okay, I'm already jealous of you, but I'll explain why. Okay.
Um one, because in some lifetime, um, I wanted to be
a country girl, and then Iswore in some other separate lifetime, I
was a Disney Channel star. Ohwow, so you are double women.
You are literally the epitome of whatI aspired to be. Oh my god.
And now you're here in your truestform and I'm I'm watching you succeed
(00:48):
and it's so much fun and youmake it look fun. Thank you,
And I'm not gonna lie. Thisis where I expose myself. So this
morning, I'm meeting breakfast right andI usually don't do my research when it
comes to doing interviews because I'm evenlike calling them interviews, like bring them
chats, like I want them tobe like casual combo. But I'm like,
let I just like keeping on myCoco girl. Right. So I'm
going through your page and as I'mwatching your music videos, I'm like,
(01:10):
dude, my girl can act,right. And this is prior to my
knowledge that you were on Disney Channel, right, wow, So I was
like, you know what, andthat of course we're gonna get to the
part where you teach me how tosing that whole money thing. But anyway,
so I'm listening to your music whileI'm in the shower this morning.
I'm getting in my zone and readyto talk to Coco Jones and this song
from Let It Shine comes on,Oh Dear, But I didn't know you
(01:30):
were on Disney Channel, so I'mlike, this sounds like it could be
a Disney Channel song. I'm gonnaask her about that. And then I
went to a creed and I andthen I realized you had a whole So
imagine if I came in here andI was like, you should be on
Disney Channel. Do you ever hearthat? And You're like, bitch,
I've heard that before. Yeah,wow, so that's how your your career
kind of spearheaded. Was the firstlike whoa moment, let it shine was
(01:53):
It's very similar to what's happening now, like whoa, yeah big, this
is crazy. Yeah, you know. So it feels like deja vu in
a way, like this right nowin my life. But now I'm like
an adult and I'm like fully myself, So it's just like different. But
do you feel like an adult?Yes, the way that this business to
be business thing, I'd be likeat the end of the day, my
(02:17):
girl. No, seriously, Ireally do, And I feel like being
in the industry it grows you upfaster because at the end of the day,
you have to make decisions on thefly. Sometimes you're responsible for you
know, a lot of people arelooking to you to make sure you do
your job because that stems off andaffects how everybody's eating. Oh hell yo,
I do feel like I grew upa little faster. You know,
you're giving like on the count ofthree, okay, one, two,
(02:40):
three, Jennifer Hudson, Oh wow, Sails, I didn't know which way
you were going because I was justvery I was speaking very like business and
I feel like that's a Gabriel thingthat she's like known for that. But
now that you say it her too, Oh you are like you get Jennifer
Hudson all the time. You guysare giving doppelganger. But also I think
the nurturing mother motherly thing you're givingme right now, like if if I
were in trouble, I know you'dtake care of me. Oh, very
(03:02):
are you? Are you that friend? I am very much a friend.
I'm like, do you want thecute device or do you want the real?
Oh? Let's get into Okay,So we're gonna exchange numbers after this
because I need that okay all thetime. Wait, okay, so tell
me about where your endeavors are takingyou. Now. Obviously we can relate
because you're on bell Air and you'veactually made me fall in love with Hillary
versus when like Hillary was you know, Will Smith's era. But I love
(03:24):
your Hillary, thank you, andso like, tell us how that kind
of came about because based off yourmusic videos, obviously you're the triple threat
thing dance act, you got it. Yeah, so you were making that
full circle being on bell Air?But how did that kind of happen for
her? I mean, yeah,it was really just another audition that came
my way. And at the timeit was different because I had acting management,
(03:44):
so they were really more involved inlike every audition, you know,
and they were like pressing me todo the audition, but I didn't even
know what a reimagining meant. I'mlike, they want the same thing all
over again. I don't look likethat, Hillary, I don't give that.
So I was like, yeah,I don't make me do this.
It just doesn't make any sense.I was like pushing back and they were
like, girls, gonna get yourass on camera. Yeah, And so
I'm telling my friends, I'm like, I'm not even boozy like that,
(04:05):
and they were like I should goahead and dry. I'm crying, all
right. That's kind of how myradio career here started, because this is
where the whole country thing comes intoplaying. My first job in radio was
actually morning show host at a countrystation. But I'm from Philly, like
through and through Philly girl. Sowhen I got this gig and it was
out in like the Booneys of NewYork, They're like, we need like
(04:26):
a country morning show host. I'mlike, are you sure? Like you
I'm like a city girl through andthrough and now I'm in love with country
music. So I mean, beingfrom Nashville, do you feel like you
were like, h should I trydoing like the country thing or was that
never for you? My first trywas through like the gospel lane, Okay,
Like I literally was even in thislike little kids singing group for christ
same, but it just didn't Thedoors would never open, so we'd always
(04:50):
be like, Okay, what's thenext door? And then you know,
it just led to like R andB R and B pop music. Um,
but yeah, I did get surroundedby country music a lot, and
honestly, at the time, Ifeel like I learned a lot from the
live performances I would be seeing likesuper soulful music with grown you know,
band members. So I just learnedabout that live feel and that soul and
(05:11):
entertaining a crowd like about a reallyyoung age. But yeah, country music,
the lyrics be lyrics. Yeah,I'm like, y'all got some Shakespeare
energy up engineering because this is rideabout a truck and I'm over here crying
in the club. Dude, it'sreally there. The pin game is crazy
over there. So I really reallyadmire that. I'm sure that had a
lot to help you out in yourcareer. But I gotta say, you're
still taking me to church because Ican close my eyes and listen to a
(05:34):
song like Ice you and I openand suddenly I'm bawling. Goes back to
the whole pms. Do you knowwhat I mean with that being said?
I was when I was scrolling onyou this morning on Instagram and you did
the whole body I've been practicing allmorning and now my voice is fried.
I was really ready to come inhere and harmonize with you. And I'm
like, I'm not embarrassing myself likethat, No, but can you just
(05:56):
I want to I want to hearit in real time, just the word
body, no, no, no, well or the whole beginning of hands
on my body body. That wasThat was all that was almost there.
It was very closing. I swearto God. Maybe it was because you
heard it right crystal clear from me, right right, exam. We'll work
(06:18):
on it, we'll work on it. Off. Oh I was singing alongside
your Instagram I'm not That's how howserious you were. Really, you were
really really there was a goal.Yes, you were close to the goal
we work on. But the trustme. I don't know. I think
I'm fried after this. This iswhy I let you do the whole.
That was the last one, yourvocal fort that was the best one I
got. I'm gonna leave on ahigh, Leave on a high. I
(06:40):
love it. Oh my gosh.Okay, So I heard Roxy when she
came in here talking to you aboutvideos and touring. Uh are we doing
that? Oh? Absolutely? Okay. I've definitely been doing a lot of
one offs. And I had myfirst headlining show earlier this year, and
literally I was so emotional because thelast time I had seen crowds know every
song and sing them with their heartsixteen years old. Yeah, So I
(07:00):
was like Jereny, I like thegirls still get a very good, like
full circle moment for you, Andin a weird way, it like kind
of checks you on, like beinglike humbled. Do you know what I
mean? Yes, Like this littlegirl then did that? Yes? And
I think back to my younger self, Like some people are embarrassed with the
younger like child acting stuff. Iam unembarrassed. Every time I look at
(07:23):
my younger self, I remember howpassionate I was, how much I wanted
it, how how excited I was, and I'm just like, you go,
girl, it's gonna get a littleugly. But that's how I just
felt. With that little girl comingin here and hugging you. It's like
she just saw her person. Ican't even talk about it, girl,
not too much, because the bmsit really have you over here in water
(07:43):
works. I figured I want todo that, not the two men in
the other side of the room,like stop it, like not girl things.
Oh my god. Okay, Soyou were just at the Roots Picnic,
right, so frowlicking around Philly.Have you had to like, I
mean, being on bell Air youkind of have to like study like Philly
a little. Right. Well,that wasn't super my storyline, so trickling
trily, You're right, but itwas so hilarious. I was laughing at
myself because when I was here lasttime for the Roots Picnic, I like
(08:07):
was just on my phone and thenI look up and I'm in the car
on the hotel and I'm like,oh my gosh, they're riding bikes.
Yeah, and I'm like, ohmy gosh, they really do that.
Wait where you don't ride bike?You guys got where? First of all,
I pretendnesse I'm from the country.If we rode bikes at the bird
scooters now, is that? Like? Girl, we didn't have roads.
We were in the sticks. IfI started to ride a bike to civilization,
that's seven miles. It's true.What is this? That's true?
(08:28):
I am This is not a marathon. When I started working in country music,
someone referred to the country as thesticks, and I was like,
what stick are we talking about?I've done resolving literally like eat nature.
Wow. Yeah. I was like, oh my god, they really ride
bikes to the city here and theywere like doing tricks. I was like,
what the hell? And then theylike looked at the mirror and like
winked. I was like, stop, this is crazy, Like what the
(08:50):
world? That means you're comfy andyou should come back. All the time,
I was like, oh my littleenterteen and I was like, oh
my god, rebel. He's arebel. Stop wall Wait till you start
seeing them quatting and doing wheelis onthe quads. You see that yet,
I don't even know what the quadis. What is that quad? Like
the four wheelers? Oh, youcall them quads. I don't know what
you're tying that works? Too.Okay, but I don't know. But
quad makes sense like the four weget it. But that's pretty We do
(09:11):
math when we sing and talk anddo all those fun things. Sometimes I
see, I see, I gottaget like yeah, I gotta get like
y'all whow y'all right, I throwthat in here, do you Yeah?
But I think I try and makecountry a thing in the city. In
your country girl, era, I'mwaiting for yes, and I'm waiting for
some please. I almost want mycowgirl like pants. Girl. I just
really want to do to Nashville.Oh, I would I would die on
(09:33):
Broadway if I could. I I'mcrying, Well, are you a Broadway
girl? You know what? Ever? Since? Okay, so when I
really moved to LA I was seventeenand wow, yeah. By that time,
I had been working so much thatI was homeschooled, so I didn't
really get to see the city theway the city really is now. Oh
it's so different than a girl.Yes. Yeah. By the time I
was of age, I wasn't evenliving there anymore, so I didn't even
(09:54):
know what it gave. Wait,have you been yes girls adult? That's
why I'm like shook dot calm becauseI'm like, who told y'all to go
and get cool dot com? Yes? Because when I was there it was
giving sliwe city. But yeah,she she is elevated. Nash feel is
that girl? Wait till I guesswe just got to go back and like,
I know, I know. I'mlike now that I'm here, I'm
(10:16):
like, y'all, oh my god. All right, So all the cities
you've been, which one are youvibing with the most? Um? Well,
I will say I do love Atlantabecause I love trap music. And
I feel like everywhere I go,like I don't care if we in the
library, like it's bumping in there. Yeah. I just like that.
It's like this is the culture,Like what's going on here? What a
magical place? And I love toeat and they got the food food My
(10:39):
second place, New Orleans because Ilove to eat and oh m g yes
the food there go so crazy beyyes, DuMond all day period. Girl.
There's this place called Loretta's Authentic PreyLeans. It's in the cut.
Is that another thing for the sticks? No, it's not the sticks.
What's it's like, it's it's likeyou'll almost miss it if you don't look
(11:00):
you know, Okay, I gottalook. It's on the maps, but
like it's hard fine, like inthe like a country twying dictionary, the
six and the cut. Yes,yes, but girl, they are something
something noted for my next girl's traps. Okay, yes, ma'am. Wow
okay. And then amongst all thecities you've been, you're literally singing at
NBA Finals And what the crazy Imean singing in front of Lebron Was that
(11:22):
terrifying or um? It wasn't thatpart that was terrifying. It was how
quiet it got. Really. Yes, I was shook dot com because the
first time I performed the national anthem, yes, I was nine, but
I was also at a stadium andit was loud. Yeah. So even
when they were like rise for yournational anthem, it was still like I
heard loudness. When I tell you, I could hear a pin drop when
they said rise of national anthem inthe basketball stadium, I was like,
(11:45):
wait, so you would think becausepeople usually say like quiet so you could
focus kind of thing you prefer thenoise. I was just not expecting it
to give ghost town. Yeah,I'm like, how the hell are all
you people in there? And Iwas starting to do the math. I'm
like, all these people get soquiet. What a powerful thing. Oh,
that was not the time for meto be thinking about that, you
know. It kind of shook melike, oh my god, wait crazy
(12:07):
Okay, Oh my gosh. Iforgot my initial question because I got distracted
by the law when you were saying, like I brought the NBA Finals.
Now, thank you. You're noproblem. Okay, because you're you're venturing
around, You're doing the thing thing. I honestly don't know what you don't
do. Um, but I'm thinkingcollapsed for you in the future. Yes,
I mean, do you have alist of people you would love to
work with? Well, I havea bunch of different genres where I would
like to see That's what I'm saying. I don't see like I could see
(12:28):
you doing a trap song like youwere just talking about. Yes, okay,
I definitely would love to do that. Listen future he really Okay,
but I'm in the gym, it'sdude, Yeah, okay, because I'm
looking into the future, my futurebody. You know, there's layers.
There's layers for sure. Okay.I'm a pop smoke girl, So now
hold on, you ate that becausepop smoke is oh, I get hype.
(12:48):
Oh is okay? But um,yes, so I would love to
do something in trap. I lovetell novellas, I love Latin music,
and so I would. I woulddefinitely want to be with Bad Bunny and
Rosalia all of those girls. Butthere, oh, I'd lose my ship,
okay. But also gospel of course, yes, even being on stage
with Mary Mary at the Roots pickNick. I'm like, I gotta do
something in this lane because gospel isa huge part of who I am.
(13:09):
I feel like you should just youryour niche. Not that I'm telling you
what to do with your amazing careerthat you already have, but your niche.
Literally, I think what you couldconquer is everything. Like you could
actually have an album in every differentgenre, and I think they'd all fly
off the shelf. And that's justfrom your mouth to gods, that's what
manifest very much, very much.I can see that, and I know,
(13:30):
I like have to take my timebecause I'm very like a competitive I'm
from athletes, you know, soI'm like, I want to get to
these goals. But I'm your brother, like a star player on LSU right
now. My brother actually Jess wentpro, so yes, he plays professional.
Now he's with the Atlanta that's whyyou want to go Atlanta don't like
well, yes, because they supportmy people, that's right. But they
also support me heavily. Yeah.I just love the vibe over there,
so okay, yeah, but Ithank you. It's John. What's up?
(13:54):
Hey? But yeah, I havea lot of big goals. Okay,
I know everything in I see.Okay. I was gonna start this
whole day by like trying to figureyou out and for people that don't know
you so well, like, let'sask like basic everyday questions to see how
you answer them, because it saysa lot about a person, like huh.
One of them was gonna be doyou do you make your bed every
morning? I do? Okay?See, that made the same. It
(14:16):
starts your day off on like agood note. You did something, yes,
and then I feel like I'm ata hotel or something. Yes,
it's a new house please. Okay. Second one was gonna be if your
socks match today? They do?Mind? Don't? Oh interesting? I
know, but that's very rare forme, So I wasn't going to judge
you based off of that. Butmy third one was gonna be if you're
a scriptures or a hororscope girl.Girl, I'm a scriptures girl because I
(14:37):
feel like every single time scriptures hitfor me, oh yeah, my horoscopes,
I'll be like, you will havepizza to day. I'm like a
girl, you gotta tell me twice, but literally, like your guard is
up. I'm like sometimes, Idon't know that was very general, but
I do feel like scriptures, likeeven if it's like a kind of general
scripture, like there's something specific aboutit. Every time it hits I do.
(14:58):
I try and be really good aboutmy day devotions, and there's something
about the way that like God knowswhat you're going through and he just sends
you what you need to hear thatday. And that's when I have like
more of those like chill moments,Like for real, i'd be like,
oh he's really really Yeah, I'mlike, oh, thank you, and
he's kissed you sister. Okay,yes, no, for real, his
hands are over my life because there'sso many times where I almost gave up,
(15:20):
not even because of choice, justlike ran out of options here.
You know. Yeah, I've livedin a LA since I was seventeen.
That was not free, you know, and then when you're an actor,
like you get maybe one job ayear when you're starting out. You know
what I'm saying, Do you feellike you were swallowed up in LA?
Not necessarily swallowed up? I thinkI was just didn't know how big the
obstacle was I was conquering. Iwas a little naive. Do you think
(15:41):
everyone's out there for the same thesame reason. Absolutely everybody's there trying to
make it, so I think Ididn't have enough of information on how long
it could possibly take. So Iwas just like shocked and disappointed really soon
when I would rather have had likea bigger, grandiose perspective so that I
could look at everything from the biggerpicture. I kind of had to learn
how to do that, like teachmyself how to do that. Right.
Oh my god, when do youthink you had your like aha moment,
(16:03):
like I'm not quitting now because nowI'm fucking going Sorry I cursed. Oh
no, it's fine, I didanything about that. I'm like what,
um. There were a couple timeswhere I was like, Okay, well
the end of this story, becausedon't really see another opportunities. That makes
me sad for you, because thatfeeling of defeat is like it's super super
super traumatizing. It really is,yeah, like you don't match up.
(16:26):
No, it's not. It's notgiving the end. The fear of failure
is like my biggest same Oh mygod, you're you're my everything. But
I just looked at it like,okay, so it's gonna be hard regardless.
It's gonna be hard to continue.There's so much uncertainty. I don't
know when things will change, Idon't know if, and it's hard to
walk away. I don't want togo back to where I'm from and all
these people that I know and belike, hey, y'all just a regular
(16:48):
girl, like change in my mindquick. Yeah, you know what I'm
saying. So which hard am Igonna go with? You know? So
I'm just gonna go with this one. Wait, the one. I gotta
tell you my devotional today. It'slike, tell me one mantra you want
to live by, and mine waschoose your heart. Girl. I'm freaking
out, all right, I'm bringingout here you go, here, here
he go again. He's way,that's so weird. You just freaking said
(17:10):
that. I'm speaking out but yeah, no, and that that just goes
to show the positive perspective of whatyou just said is that you do have
the ability to change your mind anddo whatever the heck you want. That's
true because you's true one. Youhave the talent do anything you want.
But with that being said, likeyou could decide that you want to go
back and be a cowgirl and okay, but it's really about chasing peace.
(17:30):
Like, yes, I have alsolearned that even the best of the best,
people like you, don't know what'sgoing on over there. And I've
met people I look up to it, I'm like, oh, they're not
happy here. This is the vibe, and the grass probably look greener for
them at some point. Okay,So I'm like, let me just focus
on having peace. Everywhere. There'sgoing to be opportunities for uncertainty, there's
going to be opportunities for fear.But I'd rather just choose peace because life
(17:51):
is gonna be what it's gonna be, so I might as well enjoy in
the meantime. Take me to church. That was gospel right there. Oh
my God, see this, thisis what I want to do. When
I find my piece. I literallyjust go and listen to Coco Jones music,
close my eyes and wake up infull tears. It's like mine body
stuff. I don't know if thetears are good or bad, but they're
good. No, that means youlike hit myself. Yeah, when I
(18:11):
cry listening to music, that's that'sgood. Okay, and you do that
for me? Thank you, well, thank you myself piece Coco. I
freaking love you, dude, andyou need to come to Filly more often.
Okay, Yes, Peggy promise,yes, Okay, when your tour
takes you here. Yes, thisis the last thing I wanted to talk
about because the last time you wenton tour, I know it was for
an initiative. Was it not initiativebullying? Oh my god, not,
(18:33):
you're talking about what I was literalfetus. Yeah, I looked that up.
That's really hilarious. Yes, butI guess you can say, okay,
since you did your research, Yes, I did. First tour,
was youb you stopped the bullying?Yes? And I was definitely liked it.
Okay, but I loved it,Thank you. And I think people
should be pushing more of those thingsalong with They're like, they're there's got
to be a message behind it.But I think My message now is don't
(18:56):
give up on your journey. Thatwas because my question look at me and
think, wow, I should probablynot give up. Then it was worth
all of the uncertainty that I wentthrough, you know. Okay, So
when you go on tour and youcreate a theme for your tour and it
becomes just don't give up. Yeahremember me? Okay, Okay, we
talked about it, right and Idid. We did. We just got
concerned by Rachel the radio girl,by hilarious. But I will never forget
(19:21):
you bring it up my first tour. You stopped the belie right. I
think people should always theme out theirtheir tours. But thank you so much
for joining us. Thank you.You're welcome Philly all day every day.
You know that you don't have tohear from me, but thank you so much.
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
The Bobby Bones Show
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.