Coco Jones is a multi-talented 11 year old star in the making who has been singing since the age of 2. She’s performed the National Anthem for different sports games and has appeared on the Maury Show during the 2009 Most Talented Kids edition. Coco has worked in the studio with Grammy nominated producer Rob Galbraith, working on new music as well as recording for the Greg Tornquist play titled Mississippi. Coco has a character and song for the play called “Here Comes Coco Jones” which is to be out in 2010-2011.

Additionally, Coco has done modeling and acting work. She’s just been tapped as a principal actress in a National PSA by Dr. David Katz titled Nutrition Detectives. The public service announcement promotes a healthy lifestyle for kids by having good nutrition and physical activity. More recently, Coco has been selected to star in the film Love The Light produced by Hemisphere Entertainment in LA. The film tells the story of a young black girl that is sent to live with her grandmother after her family is killed in an accident. The young girl ends up helping save her church by getting the choir to win a gospel singing contest.

Attached is a video of Coco’s performance on Maury’s Most Talented Kids of 2009.

Fun Fact: Coco is the daughter of former NFL football player Mike Jones (Tennessee Titans, St. Louis Rams, New England Patriots, and Arizona Cardinals)!

To learn more about Coco Jones, visit her on the web at Coco Jones Sings.

14 year old Rachel Dupard is an upcoming singer and actress with an amazing story. She was born August 16, 1995 and at the age of 3, it was discovered that she had a hearing and speaking impairment. After surgery, Rachel endured complications and even came close to losing her life. While healing and overcoming the impairments, Rachel was given speech therapy for 3 years and at the age of 6, she began to share with others, her soulful voice.

Since then, Rachel has expanded as a singer and actress. She has done many shows, appearing on Dallas Fox 4 Insights, sharing the stage with Irma P. Hall from the movie Soul Food, traveled to Bermuda performing as a solo artist and more. In 2008, Rachel finished in the top 50 of 30,000+ on America’s Got Talent. More recently, she has performed at the 2009 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans for the Youth Empowerment session. Rachel has also just been cast for the role of 12 year old Feliciana, daughter of a single mother, in the new movie Flood Streets. Filming begins next month in New Orleans.

Rachel has completed her first CD project which was produced by Grammy Award winning producer, Madukwu Chinwah. Some of her music can be heard via her MySpace page. A music video for her song called Child of the King can be seen underneath along with a video called “Introducing Rachel Dupard” to learn more about her.

Visit Rachel on the web at RachelDupard.Com

Alana Ethridge (profile) is doing her part in the community by giving back. Alana is offering twenty $50 scholarships, through her organization Alana’s Achievers, to help less fortunate youth pay the cost for after school programs. The scholarships will be offered to kids from ages 4 to 16. Gas cards will also be awarded to parents who transport their kids to and from extra curricular activities. Alana, who believes that “You have to give back, always,” is very active in her own organizations which involve helping others and instilling a love for education in her peers. Steven Haynes, President of Athletes for Education, says of Alana:

In so many ways she’s a young adult, but she never forgets to have fun. She’s able to roll into her personality the dynamic duo: Alana the entertainer who acts and is in commercials and on television; and Alana the kid, who just relates to other kids on a level that is so amazing. She makes them feel special; every one of them.

Youth wanting to apply for Alana’s Scholarship have until the end of August. For more information and/or an application, you can visit AlanaEthridge.net. Take a look at the attached video of Alana speaking about how she came up with the idea to give back in such a way.

Kiana Deane is a very courageous young lady who, at 12 years old, is an aspiring print model. This Talent To Watch is very unique however. Kiana is unable to smile due to an unusual form of facial paralysis called Bell’s palsy. Yet, she has decided to take this challenge and make it work to her advantage, proclaiming that models don’t always have to smile in their pictures. Despite harsh criticism from her peers, she has decided to pursue her modeling career and wants the world to know, “no matter what your challenge is, it does not have to stop you.” Kiana has recently had surgery to attempt to fix her smile.

Kiana Deane is breaking ground in modeling and has been featured in the Los Angeles Times newspaper as well as on Good Morning America with Robin Roberts. Currently, Kiana is doing print for Dave Thomas Foundation owned by Wendys; she is modeling for a cause. She will be making a second appearance on GMA in the coming weeks.

Hear more about Kiana’s story in the attached video underneath of her on Good Morning America last month, July 14, 2009. See some of Kiara’s modeling shots below. She is beautiful, determined and sure to be going places, so watch out!

--- Mad Style by True Jackson currently in Walmart Stores

Here’s a first look at Keke Palmer’s (profile) “Mad Style” by True Jackson clothing line! The line consists of shoes and apparel and is geared toward tween and teen girls. While Keke hasn’t sketched any of the styles herself, she often gives her opinion about the line that’s currently being sold in Wal-Mart stores. Items are priced at $14 or less. www.chicagodefender.com

In other Keke news, her new movie “Shrink” is opening in 24 cities on Friday, July 31st! Click below to see where the movie will be playing in your area.