In The Latest Entertainment News Of All Things Coco Jones
CoCo Jones of Peacock’s Bel-Air made a pit stop at “The Breakfast Club” detailing her journey from her beginnings in Tennessee to a child actor and landing the coveted role of Hillary Banks in the reimagining of the 90s sitcom.
She opened up about how colorism in the Black community is still a placeholder in Hollywood when it comes to auditions saying,
“There’s a lot of colorism in the industry. So I feel like a lot of it is just logical…it’s clear what they wanted. You know, it’s like you can see it, and as a kid, if somebody’s not explaining that to you can mess with your, like your [mind].”
As the conversation continued, Charlamagne Da God asked Jones about her reservations about auditioning for Hillary Banks due to colorism and opting for the role of 12-year-old Ashley Banks to play it safe,
“I was like, why am I even trying for this?” she asked. “I go, can I audition for Ashley?”
The 25-year-old Def Jam artist also revealed getting the “okay” from Karyn Parsons who originated Hillary Banks,
“And [Karyn Parsons] was telling me she was like, ‘I’m very picky. But you did your thing like, I commend it.’ I was like, thanks!”
A Harvard study concluded that darker skinned women were categorically placed in “lower socioeconomic status, more punitive relationships with the criminal justice system, diminished prestige and less likelihood of holding elective office,” per The Hollywood Reporter.
However, in an interesting take from fans of the original Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, “dark-skinned Aunt Viv” was favored for her on-screen portrayal by actress Janet Hubert. She would later be replaced by lighter-skinned actress Daphne Maxwell Reid in season four of the popular comedy.
Press play below:
Video edited by sponsor Kapwing
