Spotlight: A San Antonio TV star is ready to share her music
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Lisa (Simone Joy Jones) and Will (Jabari Ali Banks) in "Bel-Air." Photo: Greg Gayne/Peacock
"Bel-Air" star Simone Joy Jones is introducing the world to her music.
Between the lines: The 25-year-old was born in Amarillo but spent her formative years in San Antonio before landing the role of Lisa in Peacock's reimagining of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."
What she's saying: With three seasons of the series under her belt, Jones tells Axios why she's releasing an album now, her favorite breakfast taco spot and where she'd perform if she had her pick of San Antonio's venues.
How did you land the role of Lisa in "Bel-Air?"
- "I auditioned after I graduated from Carnegie Mellon. I didn't hear anything back for like three weeks, so I was like, 'Fine. I didn't get it.'
- "Then I got a call to do a Zoom with the full team, and afterward they wanted to meet me in person, so I literally drove from Pittsburgh to Philly to meet with showrunners Morgan Cooper and TJ Brady. I read with a few Wills and Carltons, and eventually our cast came together. It was a longer process than my other jobs. "
Will Smith has been heavily involved in this series. What have your interactions with him been like?
- "So lovely. He is just such a loving, warm presence. The fact that he has literally given us this story to expand on is an act of bravery and love."
Why are you releasing your first album, as S!MONE, now?
- " I feel like now was the time that I always was going to do it. The fact that people are paying attention is really cool, exciting and a little scary.
- "I have enough songs that I feel really at home, and I want to put them out so people know this is what I do."
Your castmate Coco Jones' music career has taken off since the show began airing. What have you learned from her?
- "It's funny because we don't really interact on the show, but I opened up for her last year on tour.
- "I watched her every day put her heart in the interviews, in choreography, in the people that she met and be very present and willing to learn each side of the music business."
If you could perform at any venue in San Antonio where would it be?
- "The Majestic Theater. I love big theaters and theatrical settings, and I feel the moment you walk in the art and the carvings in the walls just speak for themselves."
Where's your favorite place to get a breakfast taco?
- "My parents' house or El Itacate."
What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?
- "My parents love to go see those big boots outside of North Star Mall, and we always go to a Spurs holiday event. "
Describe the vibe of your album in one sentence.
- "We see the world as we are and not as it actually is."
What's next: "Magnet" is available to stream now.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to say Jones was born in Amarillo (not Greensboro, North Carolina).
