Coco Jones honors Whitney Houston with wardrobe choice
Coco Jones left spectators awestruck with her rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at the inaugural ceremony of Super Bowl 60. Reflecting on her performance, Jones expressed her feelings of pride in honoring her ancestors and hoped to inspire unity among the nation’s populace. Immediately following her moving rendition, Jones, clad in a white jacket emblazoned with a red stripe across the chest and a black and green band on the right arm, Facetimed her mother from the sidelines, with her fiancé, Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers, holding the phone.
Her choice of attire paid homage to the iconic Whitney Houston moment at the 1991 Super Bowl, where Houston donned a similar jacket during her legendary rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner”. Surprisingly, only attendees at the stadium heard Houston’s live performance, while those watching the broadcast heard a pre-recorded version, sparking widespread chatter.
Houston, in an act of generosity and goodwill, made her live rendition available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross Gulf Crisis Fund, as reported by People magazine.
Seeking guidance from Alicia Keys, the first artist to perform the song for the NFL in 2000, Jones found reassurance in Keys’ advice to remain present and composed during her performance. Although seasoned in performing on stadium stages, Jones emphasized the importance of repetition and thorough preparation in mastering her craft. Delving into her preparation routine, Jones shared her commitment to over-practicing to the point where her performance becomes second nature, allowing her to embody the music fully.
Crafted by James Weldon Johnson, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” has garnered attention and significance in recent years, particularly since its inclusion in Super Bowl performances following the heightened Black Lives Matter sentiment post-George Floyd protests. The song’s profound message of unity and perseverance resonates strongly with audiences, making it a fitting choice for significant events like the Super Bowl.
As the legacy of this powerful anthem endures, artists like Coco Jones continue to uplift and inspire through their heartfelt renditions, carrying forward the torch of unity and reverence for the values embodied in the song’s timeless lyrics. With each performance, these artists pay tribute to the enduring legacy of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and its role in uniting and inspiring audiences across the nation.