The Creative Identity Conversation We Needed
Coco Jones opened up about the internal battle every creative has faced at one point or another.
Coco Jones photographed by Earl Gibson III
In case you missed it, the multi-disciplinary artist recently took to Instagram to explain that she’s tired of being "almost there" when it comes to finding her creative identity. While she spoke specifically about finding her sound, what she shared reached far beyond music.
The Cross Roads of Creative Identity
As artists, we’ve all met this crossroads at some point. With a plethora of lanes to choose from, it’s hard to know what’s right. There’s the unknown of wondering what feels right internally and what makes sense from the lens of your audience. Finding your creative identity isn’t always about choosing a lane—it’s about discovering which one feels the most like you.
What Coco shared is the truth about experimenting in industries where everyone seems to have it all figured out. In creative spaces, we’re often praised for having a signature style, a recognizable voice, or a clear point of view. But what’s rarely acknowledged is the uncertainty that comes before any of those things exist.
The Value of Transparency
With perfectionism being praised in the industry, I have to give Ms. Jones her flowers. Transparency is underrated in today’s perfectionist society. Her expressing this helped shine a light on other creatives who’ve felt the same. At no point have any of us had it all figured out. The comments quickly became a reflection of that shared experience.
Durrand Bernarr commented, "Whew, this was me from 2006–2015… literally ready to switch up everything to get in the door. I just needed the right support that knew what to do with me." House Guest host Scott Evans echoed that sentiment, writing, "This is really real. To share THESE moments every creative can understand... whew." Their responses reinforce something many creatives quietly wrestle with: sometimes the missing piece isn't talent. It's clarity. It's support. It's having the space to experiment long enough to discover what feels authentic to you.
Every artist has a chapter where they're becoming recognizable to themselves before they're recognizable to everyone else. Maybe the better question isn't, "When will it finally click?" Maybe it's, "Who am I becoming while I'm waiting for it to?"
