Coco Jones, the rising R&B star, reveals how she “gaslit” herself into not thinking about the 2026 Grammy nominations—only to earn her eighth career nod for Best R&B Album with Why Not More?.
Coco Jones is no stranger to the Grammy Awards. After winning her first gramophone trophy for Best R&B Performance with her hit “ICU” in 2024, Jones is now up for her eighth career nomination at the 2026 Grammys in the Best R&B Album category for her debut full-length project, Why Not More?. Released in April, the album features the previously Grammy-nominated single “Here We Go (Uh Oh),” as well as collaborations with YG Marley, Future, Alicia Keys, Leon Thomas, and Lady London on the deluxe version.
For Jones, who’s been making music since before fans first met her on Disney Channel as a child star, getting recognized for a full album rather than a single is especially significant. “I feel like it’s the biggest compliment to keep people’s attention,” she tells People. “I mean, I don’t know many things that do.”
The Emotional Weight of Grammy Recognition
Jones sat down with People to discuss her latest Grammy nomination, touring the world in promotion of Why Not More?, collaborating with Keys, and opening for a few dates of Brandy and Monica’s monumental The Boy Is Mine Tour.
PEOPLE: You’re up for your eighth career Grammy nomination, this time in the Best R&B album category for Why Not More? How did you learn about the nomination, and what did that feel like?
COCO JONES: It’s so weird. I’ve been on planes the last two times that I got nominated for Grammys, and so I’m just not thinking about it because I’m doing something. I mean, of course I know [the Grammy nominations are coming out], but I’m gaslighting myself. I’m like, “You don’t think about this.” And I’m like, “True.” Then, of course, as soon as I get that Wi-Fi connect on that Delta flight, my phone just goes off. I’m like, “Oh, God.”
PEOPLE: You won Best R&B Performance in 2024 for “ICU.” This year marks the third in a row that you’ve gotten a nomination. At this point, you still didn’t expect it at all?
JONES: No, I don’t expect them. I honestly don’t. I can’t do that to myself. I feel like I can work towards the greatest outcomes, which is charts, awards, accolades, momentum, virality. And then I just leave it up to God.
From Disney Star to R&B Powerhouse
Jones’ journey from Disney Channel star to Grammy-nominated artist is a testament to her resilience and talent. Her debut album, Why Not More?, showcases her growth as an artist and her ability to captivate audiences with her powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics.
PEOPLE: After Why Not More? came out in April, you toured the world with your biggest headline shows yet. How did those performances feel different from what you’d done in the past?
JONES: Creatively, this time a lot of the yeses and nos were up to me. With my first tour, I wasn’t as confident in if I knew anything about anything, so I didn’t want to decide. Now I’m a completely different version of myself, and hopefully I continue to get more and more confident and decisive.
Collaborations and Influences
Jones’ collaborations with industry legends like Alicia Keys and her experiences opening for Brandy and Monica have been pivotal in her career. These moments have not only shaped her as an artist but also reinforced her belief in her own talent.
PEOPLE: You put out a deluxe version of Why Not More? in August with Alicia Keys on the “Other Side of Love” remix. What was it like to work with her and get her stamp of approval?
JONES: You never know if your heroes are going to give a rat’s ass about you or be nice or have anything to say towards you. That’s another thing where I just don’t expect anything. If something happens, great, and if nothing, okay, that’s fine. But she was so gracious with her time, with her wisdom, with her experience, that I was just like, “Girl, you don’t even know the blessing that you are,” because I’m just learning as I go, and how much easier would it be for my peace of mind if somebody could tell me how this works? And so I’m always so grateful. To me, that’s more meaningful to me than even a feature. Just give me some wisdom, some advice — just help me out up in here because these streets are crazy. It was a dream come true to work with her, to even just be in the studio with her singing. I’m seeing how she records, and she’s playing the piano, and I’m like, “What’s going on, man? What are we doing? This is crazy.”
The Future of Coco Jones
As Jones continues to make waves in the R&B scene, her future looks brighter than ever. With her eighth Grammy nomination and a growing fanbase, she is poised to become one of the genre’s most influential voices.
PEOPLE: Where do you keep your first Grammy?
JONES: My mom’s house. I keep all my stuff nowhere that I live just because, I don’t know, looking at awards of mine makes me feel weird. I’m like, “What?” I don’t know. I just feel like I have so much more to go that I don’t like to see them. But my fiancé [NBA player Donovan Mitchell] is like, “I want to keep some of them,” so he has some of them now. He wants to put them up so he can see them.
PEOPLE: What would it feel like to win this Grammy Award in February?
JONES: Man, I don’t know until I get there. I can’t think about that too much. I can’t do that to myself. I’ll tell you if I get there.
The 2026 Grammy Awards will air live on CBS and Paramount+ on Sunday, Feb. 1.
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