Coco Jones' Best Advice For Setting Boundaries That Give You Peace Of Mind

coco jones as hilary in bel-air on peacock

Coco Jones is always coming up with something new. Whether she’s doing a low-key audition for Disney’s live-action The Princess and the Frog via TikTok, performing original music on late night television, or starring as the confident, complex Hilary on Peacock’s Bel-Air, Jones is always creating. And with 2.6M TikTok followers and 2.5M Instagram followers, she’s bringing Gen Z right along with her.

In honor of the upcoming season two finale of Bel-Air, and a new Pure Leaf campaign that’s all about the power of saying “no,” we got an inside look into Jones’ process, as well as how she sets, and sticks to, her boundaries.

youtu.be

Coco Jones Wants Her Music To Leave You Feeling Uplifted + Empowered

Brit + Co: This campaign with Pure Leaf is all about figuring out when to say “no” — How do your boundaries benefit the other areas of your life?

Coco Jones: Sticking to boundaries has always helped me stay true to my “why.” I think especially in an industry where you want to prove yourself, sometimes it feels like [the chances you get] are limited, so it's hard sometimes to stick to your boundaries. But I think for me, it always helps me when I'm true to myself. Because it helps me to remember why I even started in this industry in the first place — who I want to impact, how I want to be represented, and the legacy that I want to leave.

B+C: You've also talked about working on your album What I Didn’t Tell You at the same time you were filming Bel-Air. How do you approach balancing your boundaries while going after what you want?

CJ: It's really hard to find a consistent balance when I feel like my life in this industry is so inconsistent. I think for me, the best guide is my intuition. If I feel like, “Okay, this would be a great opportunity. But I have to sacrifice maybe something that I needed for my mental health or an important relationship that I already had promised something to.” Then it's kind of like, what does my intuition have to say? That helps me find that balance in an ever-changing career field.

B+C: What I Didn’t Tell You is phenomenal! It’s familiar yet brand new at the same time, and my favorite song right now is “No Chaser.” You’ve talked a lot about the idea of music being fluid and whether R&B is dead and all these different conversations happening in the industry — I'd love to hear your approach to storytelling in 2023 and how your music has evolved.

CJ: Honestly, my approach really goes back to my intuition because I feel like there are a lot of times where I can look left and right and see what the other girls are doing, and then maybe that would affect what I'm doing. But I do have to practice my boundaries because sometimes I do see something that's working for somebody else, and there's this pressure to also do that, to also jump on that bandwagon. But that's where I kind of lean back to my boundaries and the things that I know I have to stick to.

Being fearless really does help me with my creative process because this is a new generation, and some things that worked back in the day will not work today. And I know my fans, they know me. So, sometimes I have [to] choose a path that may be unconventional, but it feels right to me.

B+C: What do you hope people take away when they listen to your music?

CJ: I hope they take away self-love. I hope they take away honesty. I hope that they like me as a person and want to continue supporting and following my journey. I always want to leave my fans with something to uplift themselves, to speak highly of themselves. I mean, all of these songs have an air of “Don't play with me, don't play with my time. I'm valuable. I want big things for myself, I want the best for myself. And if you're not bringing the best to the table, then we don't make sense together.” You know?

Image via Peacock/Greg Gayne/Peacock TV LLC/IMDb

B+C: Your Bel-Air character, Hilary, is so confident, and you've talked a lot about maintaining your own confidence. Have you learned anything else from Hilary that you've brought back into your own life?

CJ: I think, especially with season two, I've learned a lot more about being vulnerable and being a boss woman, but then also, how do you be that same woman in a relationship? And what's important to you when you do get into a relationship? I think playing Hilary and watching her try to balance her relationship with Ivy and running the house and now her relationship with Jazz and then being public — it’s taught me to question my values too, and look at my life in the bigger scheme of things.

Because I don't want to be unsure of the person that I'm with…I want to make sure that everything I do is intentional and authentic. So, it's kind of taught me to think about that part of my life as well, where my life will go, and what's important to me in the person that I take with me on that journey.

B+C: Between your music and television and even your fashion presence, you have such a beautiful and consistent output. What do you do to kind of fill your own cup? What’s been inspiring you recently?

CJ: There are times where I don't do a certain job or opportunity because it doesn't fill me up, it drains me…And I have to be courageous sometimes and say no. And of course, I do it in a kind way. That's why I love [Pure Leaf's] Subtly Sweet campaign, because it is so similar to how I have to be as a business woman so that I don't lose myself in this industry. Sometimes you do have to disappoint people and maybe they won't get it, but it's not for them to get. It's for your own peace of mind.

B+C: I’m obsessed with Pure Leaf's Subtly Sweet Suggester. What is your mantra or piece of advice that has impacted the way that you live?

CJ: Man. Gratitude in everything. I have had so many times where I'm like, “Why? Why?” And I wish I could just go back and be like, “There's something in this, I'm telling you. Seriously, just enjoy the moment. You're putting too much pressure on yourself and you're too focused on what everyone else is doing. There's something. There's a reason for this. I'm from the future, so I can tell you."

B+C: I love mixing tea and lemonade. Do you like to add your Pure Leaf tea to any particular drinks, or do you just drink it straight out of the bottle?

CJ: I like to sing and I have to warm up my vocals, so I like hot drinks. So I'm the type that will drink tea any time of the day but it's always gonna be hot. It can be 100 degrees, but I just love hot tea, so I'm probably going to heat it up. And you don't have to wait for the tea to steep! It's like, right there.

B+C: What is your favorite way to unwind?

CJ: Favorite way is being with my friends or family eating ramen and watching The Office.

B+C: What is your favorite candle scent?

CJ: I love vanilla, and I love anything edible. Like cookies, chocolate.

B+C: What is your go-to breakfast?

CJ: I'm more on the salty, savory side, so omelet, breakfast sandwich or, like, simple eggs, turkey bacon.

B+C: What is a beauty product that makes you feel confident?

CJ: Well, no product makes me feel confident. I'm confident. But if I had to go without any of them, I would not want to go without my brows done. So I'm going to say a brow pencil. Because I just feel like sometimes it's really giving Shrek.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

Check out more exclusives on our TikTok!

Lead image via Peacock/Greg Gayne/Peacock TV LLC/IMDb

New York City is a home and a hub for celebrities across all industries, and the glitzy appeal of Gossip Girl’s NYC is made all the more glamorous by its numerous celebrity cameos. Given that Blair and Serena run in the upper echelon of the city’s It girls, it actually makes total sense for them to be rubbing shoulders with Alexa Chung and Lady Gaga. You never know who you’re going to run into on the Upper East Side — and in Gossip Girl’s case, you may not even remember half the celebs you meet.

Over the course of six wonderfully melodramatic seasons, Gossip Girl racked up quite a stacked cast list on IMDB. From stars with recurring roles to those who pop in to play themselves for one scene, here are 17 celebrities who appeared on Gossip Girl that you probably forgot about.

Scroll down to see all the celebrity Gossip Girlcameos we're totally obsessed with!

1. William Baldwin

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Serena van der Woodsen’s got some serious daddy issues. One of Gossip Girl’s longest subplots is Serena’s search for her father, who essentially walked out on her when she was a kid. He finally appears for the first time in Season 3 Episode 19 (“Dr. Estrangeloved), where he’s played by a member of one of NYC’s royal families, William Baldwin. (In case you’re wondering, he’s Hailey Bieber’s uncle.)

2. Lady Gaga

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

You probably blocked out the time Blair and Dan put on a jukebox version of Snow White at NYU given that the whole ordeal was painfully cringe. That means you probably also blocked out the fact that real-life NYU alum Lady Gaga gives a dead-eyed performance of “Bad Romance” at the end of the episode (Season 3 Episode 10, “The Last Days of Discostick”).

3. Hilary Duff

Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Also included in the Season 3 NYU timeline is Hilary Duff as Olivia Burke. Olivia’s a famous actress who balances attending NYU, starring in the vampire romance franchise Endless Knights, and dating Dan. She’s basically the Gossip Girl universe’s hybrid of Kristen Stewart and Emma Watson.

4. Sebastian Stan

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Okay, there’s absolutely no way you forgot this one. Before Sebastian Stan was the MCU’s BB, he was Gossip Girl’s lesser-known CB — Carter Baizen. Stan played St. Jude’s sleaziest graduate and one of Serena’s most questionable exes from Seasons 1 through 3.

5. Karlie Kloss

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Karlie Kloss will always attend a NYFW party — even if that party only exists within Gossip Girl’s Season 4 premiere (“Belles du Jour”).

6. Armie Hammer

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Serena’s dating history includes one man whose bite may be worse than his bark. In Season 2, she starts dating a con man named Gabriel Edwards, played by Armie Hammer.

7. Cyndi Lauper

Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Paramount+

Girls just wanna have Cyndi Lauper do a surprise performance at their eighteenth birthday party — at least, Blair Waldorf does. Lauper makes a cameo in Season 2 Episode 10 (“Bonfire of the Vanity”).

8. Tyra Banks

Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Discovery

Tyra Banks plays Ursula, a famous actress who Serena keeps from crashing out at a movie premiere, in Season 3 Episode 4 (“Dan de Fleurette”).

9. Clémence Poésy

Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

When Chuck goes to France in Season 4 and attempts to restart his life as Henry Prince, he takes Fleur Delacour — err, I mean, Clémence Poésy — along for the ride.

10. Mädchen Amick

Tara Ziemba/Getty Images

Sorry, Archiekins — Alice Cooper’s got her eye on a different Archibald. Riverdale star Mädchen Amick appears in Season 2 as Nate’s first foray into MILF territory.

11. Elizabeth Hurley

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Lionsgate and Grindstone

Mädchen Amick walked so Elizabeth Hurley could run … Nate’s life into the ground. Hurley plays shady media mogul Diana Payne throughout Season 5.

12. Aaron Tveit

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

This guest star lives rent-free in Broadway fans’ minds. Aaron Tveit, the patron saint of tenors, appears in Seasons 2 through 5 as Nate’s cousin, politician Tripp van der Bilt.

13. Alexa Chung

Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

In Season 6 Episode 3 (“Dirty Rotten Scandals”), Alexa Chung, the minimalist darling of the 2010s fashion blogging scene, refuses to walk the runway at Blair Waldorf’s debut fashion show.

14. Rachel Bilson & Kristen Bell

Jason Kempin/Getty Images for SCAD & Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Rachel Bilson and Kristen Bell show up in the series finale as two actresses auditioning for a role in Inside Out, the movie adaptation of Dan’s bestselling book, Inside. Bell’s voice should ring a bell — she’s the voice ofGossip Girl.

15. Tim Gunn

Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Nespresso

Project Runway’s iconic mentor, Tim Gunn gives Jenny a little mentorship in Season 4 Episode 6 (“Easy J”).

16. Rachel Zoe

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tom Ford

Rachel Zoe: celebrity stylist, fashion designer, and extremely good sport. In her GG cameo in Season 4 Episode 7 (“War at the Roses”), Zoe takes a tumble and spills chocolate sauce all over her head before delivering her iconic catchphrase, “I die.” We die, too.

17. Florence Welch

Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Gucci

Welch’s performance of “Cosmic Love” in Season 4 Episode 14 (“Panic Roommate”) was reportedly due to her real-life friendship with Blake Lively. The actress suggested to the producers that they should use Florence’s music in the show. The producers went one step further, and we’re all the better for it.

Wonder what other celebs have appeared in your favorite TV shows? Check out these 24 Sex and the City cameos and 11 Gilmore Girls cameos you may have missed!

This weekend, news dropped that Blake Lively filed a bombshell lawsuit against It Ends With Usco-star Justin Baldoni, and everyone is rushing to her support — including her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsco-stars!

One day we need to have a conversation about how easy it is to assign the 'mean girl' role to women like Anne Hathaway, Hailey Bieber, Meghan Markle, and now, Blake Lively. Since that's a separate article, let's focus on the situation at hand. According to Deadline, Lively's suing Baldoni for "sexually harassing her and subsequently enacting 'a coordinated effort to destroy her reputation.'" After the news dropped, The New York Times subsequently published article that details the winding allegations against Baldoni, producer Jamie Heath, and more players in the supposed targeted attack against her.

While a lot of public opinion turned against Lively during the It Ends With Us rollout, it's clear those closest to her showed unyielding support. Now, fellow celebrities are showing up in droves to stand with Lively amid the allegations. One bold show of support that we're totally here for? Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, and Amber Tamblyn taking their "sisterhood" to new heights. Here's what they — and everyone else — has said in support of Blake Lively so far.

Scroll down to see everyone who's supported Blake Lively amid the Justin Baldoni lawsuit so far!

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Blake Lively's The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Co-Stars

Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn, and America Ferrera made it clear that they're firmly in support of their friend Blake Lively. They released a message on Instagram that left no room for assumption about their beliefs following Blake's lawsuit against Baldoni.
The statement reads:
As Blake's friends and sisters for over twenty years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation. Throughout the filming of It Ends With Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice.

Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors' stories to silence a woman who asked for safety. The hypocrisy is astounding.

We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can still face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe work environment. We are inspired by our sister's courage to stand up for herself and others.

For anyone seeking more information or engaging in this important conversation online, please read the full legal complaint in the investigative reporting by Megan Twohey, Mike McIntire, and Julie Tate for the New York Times.

We love the lasting, strong friendship between these four!

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Colleen Hoover, Author of It Ends With Us

According to Entertainment Weekly, Colleen Hoover also spoke up in light of the damage Baldoni inflicted. She tagged Blake via Instagram Stories and wrote, "You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met. Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt." A picture of the author and star hugging followed Hoover's words, adding to the depth of the moment.

Paul Feig, Director of A Simple Favor

Director Paul Feig also shared his thoughts about what it's like to work with Blake on X. He said, "I’ve now made two movies with Blake and all I can say is she’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with. She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this."

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Michael Kors

Robyn Lively, Blake Lively's Sister

The sisterly energy is real and we're so glad Blake is surrounded by it. Robyn, Blake's big sister, shared her full thoughts in a lengthy Instagram caption just 10 hours!

While encouraging people to do research for themselves by reading The New York Times article that details the devious plot to publicly destroy Blake, she had other things to say. "We live in an age where we have access to people’s personal lives like never before — especially actors. It makes us feel like we know them. We see them on social media, watch clips of them, and make snap decisions about their character," she wrote. This reminds me of the parasocial relationships author Amanda Montell detailed in The Age of Magical Overthinking — definitely something for us all to keep in mind.

She also called out how easy it is for the media to warp the public's perception of the truth. "The 'truth' in the tabloids is hardly ever what you think," she added before eventually expressing how "proud" she is that her sister "didn't allow herself to be silenced in the face of adversity and lies."

Bart Johnson, Blake Lively's Brother-in-law

According to Page Six, Blake's brother-in-law Bart Johnson didn't hesitate to share his thoughts about the behavior of Baldoni and his team. He reportedly wrote, "Her complaints were filed during the filming. On record. Long before the public conflict. The cast unfollowed him [Baldoni] for a reason." in the comment section of the NYT Instagram post about the lengthy deep dive into what happened.

He continued by writing, "His PR team was stellar. Gross and disgusting but highly effective. Read the article, their text message exchanges and his PR campaign strategy to bury her by any means necessary. No one is with out [sic] faults. But the public got played."

Follow us on Facebook for more celebrity news!

The most important detail about any romantic movie is chemistry between its leads. Even the worst movie can be rescued by two characters you believe actually love each other. But that's not a problem for A24's Babygirl (in theaters December 25) because Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson have chemistry in spades. The new A24 movie follows CEO Romy (Kidman), who begins a torrid affair with a young intern named Samuel (Dickinson). And AMC queen Nicole says she knew Harris was different the moment he walked in the room.

Here's what Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson had to say about their chemistry in our exclusive Babygirl featurette.

Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson connected the moment they met.

This browser does not support the video element.

"As soon as he walked in, I was like, 'Oh good, here's somebody who's gonna play with me," Nicole Kidman says in our exclusive Babygirl featurette. "We spent a lot of time in bed. Hours would go by, and it was like you would step out of there and you would say, 'What just happened?'"

"From the moment [Samuel] sees her, he's attracted to her. He realizes there's someone at the height of their power," Harris says. "There was an element of mystique that needed to be there for the exploration of the relationship."

Harris continues that "perhaps there's something unfulfilled going on," perhaps referencing Romy's fizzled-out marriage with Jacob, while Nicole adds that "she's searching for something else" as the movie examines "desires, wants, [and] needs."

"Drink it in and be transported," she says.

​And their chemistry in 'Babygirl' was so intense, Nicole Kidman had to take breaks from filming.

In addition to spending "hours" in bed (which, honestly sounds like a pretty good work day to me), Nicole told The Sun in October that filming those scenes with Harris Dickinson became so intense, she would need breaks. “There were times when we were shooting where I was like, ‘I don’t want to orgasm any more,'” she said. “Don’t come near me. I hate doing this. I don’t care if I am never touched again in my life!”

But having a woman at the helm of the film (writer-director-producer Halina Reijn) both made Nicole feel more comfortable, and empowered her to tell this story. "Doing this subject matter in the hands of the woman that wrote the script, that's directing it and is a really great actress herself — we became one in a weird way, which I'd never had with a director before," she says in a statement. "When you're working with a woman on this subject matter, you can share everything with each other.”

"I really decided in the beginning, I want to make a sexual film, just as sexual as all these films that I've always admired so much," Halina says, "but now I'm going to do it completely through female eyes. What does that mean and what does that look like?” See Babygirl in theaters December 25 to find out.

Here are the 10 New December Movies You Need To Add To Your Calendar ASAP.

The holidays are coming in quick, bringing an abundance of energy — and good fortune — along with them in your horoscope this week! From Capricorn season's grand entrance to Jupiter's major moves, there's a LOT to unpack! Here's everything you need to know about your weekly horoscope...including who's in for the best luck!

Scroll down to find your weekly horoscope for your sun & rising signs!

What's happening astrologically during the week of December 22-29, 2024?

Brit + Co

The freewheeling Sagittarius energy is past, and we enter the depths of Capricorn season. This week heralds several important transits that have far-reaching effects for the coming new year. On December 24, Venus, the planet of love and beauty, forms a beneficial sextile with Chiron, the wounded healer and shaman of the Zodiac. Don’t let this opportunity pass. We can gain access to an understanding of our own innate self-worth. If we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and honest, we can face our insecurities and move past any blockages to growth and evolution of our very essence. We all have insecurities that prevent us from living our best lives at times, but with Chiron moving forward on December 29 after months of retrograde motion, the momentum is building toward lasting healing. It won't come easily, however. Chiron wounds are buried deep. Still, the work we put into addressing our core issues will result in a sense of ultimate freedom. It's a great time to work with a therapist or astrologer to identify and heal our innate wounds.

Ioana Motoc

Also on December 24, Jupiter squares Saturn. This monumental transit will reflect tension in the zeitgeist for the next two years. We will be face-to-face with the reality of the decline in our societies, where injustice and immorality rise to the surface. There might be a sense of despair resulting in despondency and hopelessness. But no one will benefit from putting their head in the sand. We must face our problems head-on — growth requires hard work. On a personal level, it feels like we have one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake. It is a good time to take a pause from the indulgences of Sagittarius season, withdraw from society for a bit to gain a better perspective, and realize that a shift is required. As the frustration passes, we will be able to see that for growth and abundance, we must focus and systematically rework our approach. Patience and hard work are required, and Saturn provides the inspiration for that work. If we're successful and as we move from frustration to empowerment, we'll have the rewards we seek in the long term.

Brit + Co

Venus in Aquarius will square Uranus in Taurus this week, and we might be feeling irritable with our loved ones or personally restless. Realize this energy will pass, but it will need to be expressed in one way or another. Harness it and use it to infuse some excitement into your relationships. Do something new together. Experiences outside our normal routines will be a good way to let the energy manifest. If you don’t initiate something, be prepared for some unexpected display of this tension between the planet of love and the planet of disruption.

Read Your Weekly Horoscope For Your Sun & Rising Signs

Brit + Co

Aries (March 21 – April 20)

The tension of the week will require an adjustment in your daily habits. Focus on healthy eating, exercising, and getting plenty of sleep. It's a good time to break a bad habit or form a beneficial new one — just be sure to fully lean into whichever choice you make. If you don't put your passion into something, I know you'll struggle to fully commit, Aries...

Being of service to others is another way to ease any personal frustration you're dealing with this week. While we all suffer, helping others puts our own struggles into perspective. Buy some gifts for the people you love! Work at a soup kitchen! Get out there and share your infectious energy and love with the world around you.

Brit + Co

Taurus (April 21 – May 21)

You might be feeling a sense of personal scarcity. If you find yourself on an unstable foundation, pause and allow yourself to retreat for a bit. Use any solitary time you can manage to get creative and devise a solution to your dilemma. Use light and positive affirmations to overcome any tendency toward despair. It will feel difficult until you break free from the darkness. However, I know you can use your natural tenacity to pull you through.

Brit + Co

Gemini (May 22 – June 21)

Spend as much time with your family and at home as you can. Take time to nurture yourself and to let others nurture you. This week is a good time to recover and recuperate. You'll need to be strong and healthy in the coming weeks and months — the depths of winter can be totally brutal, so it's best to take care of yourself now. Cultivate and focus your heart on love, and let that love energy flow around you. Allow the feeling to permeate your cells and remember the healing energy of love when faced with challenges in the weeks ahead. This can help sustain you if things get tough!

Brit + Co

Cancer (June 22 – July 22)

Communicate as clearly as possible what you're experiencing. Instead of holding your feelings in, hiding them from the people around you, share your emotional landscape with your loved ones. The healing power of love is exponentially more powerful when you give it away freely — so share that love, and let others share their love with you. It's a good time to rise above and overcome any insecure feelings you have. If you are so inclined, poetry or music can be a great way to express yourself or as a source of inspiration. Whatever you choose, just let yourself feel all the feelings and express them!

Brit + Co

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

It's a good week to re-evaluate your resources. Do what it takes to create security, and clear out anything that is excessive or unnecessary and focus on what really matters for your stability. The space you create will soon be filled with more meaningful and appropriate activities, people and things. Be sure that whatever you do involves joy and lightheartedness. That energy and levity will propel you towards greatness, Leo, helping you create stronger foundations for your dream life.

Brit + Co

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

Prioritize yourself and your needs this week — basically just go full 'treat yourself' mode. If you're rested, healthy, and organized, everything else will proceed more smoothly. Your natural inclination to be of service will only benefit you and others if you take care of yourself first. Set clear boundaries and communicate your needs so that there are minimal misunderstandings. This will give you the recipe for the best holiday season yet!

Brit + Co

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

Your spiritual practice will give you much comfort this week. Be sure to devote adequate time to quiet contemplation and ritual. Listen to music, go to a museum, or practice your art form and spend time in nature for inspiration. Tap into anything that elevates and soothes your spirit. You deserve the peace and tranquility — even (and maybe especially) if you're craving something else. Let the peace wash over you.

Brit + Co

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)

Spending time with your community and engaging in social connections will help alleviate any tension you feel this week. It's important to allow others to be themselves and to relinquish any tendency to control those around you. The more you go with the flow, the easier it will be to maintain harmony and joy. You can enjoy things without having to hold so tightly to the reins — let go, release, and live.

Brit + Co

Sagittarius (November 21 – December 21)

Hopefully, you're fully sated with the holidays and can focus on any lingering responsibilities before the end of the year. Take time to get organized and set realistic goals to accomplish important tasks. I know that's not your favorite advice, but resist any tendency to procrastinate so that you can start the new year from a stable and productive position. You'll appreciate it so much more if you do!

Brit + Co

Capricorn (December 21 – January 19)

This first full week of Capricorn season will find you in a philosophical state of mind. A broad perspective will help you navigate any tension you feel — keeping an open mind and heart can help you adopt habits, rituals, choices, and more that you may have previously ignored at first glance. And if you're not in the market for big changes on your own, at least take a moment to realize that while you might know exactly what you need, you may not know what others need. Practice being more flexible.

Brit + Co

Aquarius (January 20 – February 19)

Tensions that may come up during the holidays — as always, these are best navigated from the perspective that all things are temporary, and all things change. Check your attitude and realize you might be too intense for productive exchanges with others. Spend time alone to understand what is going on within and try your best to let others experience life on their personal terms. It's more than okay to take a moment to reset and come back to the group when you're ready.

Brit + Co

Pisces (February 20 – March 21)

Experiencing harmony in your relationships will give you peace this week. It's important to balance your needs with the needs of others, though. Reciprocity and fairness can be achieved, so be sure to equally emphasize the needs of everyone. Resist the temptation to acquiesce your needs to keep the peace — that will only leave you feeling depleted and resentful. Relationships go both ways, and it's okay to demand that of them.

Looking for a more thorough reading? Reach out to Tina at SevenSistersAstrology.com!

Sign up for our weekly newsletter so you never miss a thing!

Some Trader Joe's items are absolutely worth grabbing every time you're at the store (ahem, Buffalo Chicken Dip and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups). But, with the good comes the bad, and there are surprisingly tons of Trader Joe’s picks that don’t live up to the hype at all.

I took to where the real Trader Joe’s fans hang out (AKAr/traderjoes on Reddit) to dig further into the worst Trader Joe’s products around. From texture issues to weird tastes (or lack thereof), TJ’s shoppers truly did not hold back in their discussions.

Find the worst of all time Trader Joe’s buys below, and please, avoid them at all costs.

Trader Joe's

Japchae Korean Glass Noodles & Vegetable Stir Fry

“I was excited to try the frozen japchae but it was disappointing," one Redditor wrote. "So bland and watery.”

TJ's still currently sells this item for $3.49. You'll find it in the freezer section. It's made with glass noodles and a medley of stir-fried veggies like onion, spinach, carrot, and bell peppers.

Reddit

Roasted Seasoned Brussels Sprouts

“Worst is the frozen parm Brussels," another Redditor brought up. "Those were horrible.”

The Brussels sprouts in question even inspired an entirely separate Reddit thread about how bad they were.

"Inedible," one person said. "Worst thing I’ve bought there."

"Maybe you got a bad bag?" another user suggested. "I make these all the time in my air fryer and I love them."

No matter where you stand with frozen veggies, I always stand by the fact that fresh ones will be way better than frozen ones, especially with an option as divisive as Brussels sprouts.

Trader Joe's

Calabrian Chili Spicy Pasta Sauce

“Calabrian chili sauce was like hot tomato soup,” someone noted.

The $5 sauce features a Calabrian chili hot sauce alongside a classic tomato base. TJ's also has it that this sauce includes a touch of honey to balance out the spice. TBH I'm not entirely sure how I feel about that...

Trader Joe's

Coconut Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate

“The coconut cold brew concentrate tastes like battery acid ✨️," one person said. "Yes, even when prepared as directed!”

Luckily, TJ's doesn't sell the coconut version of their cold brew concentrate anymore. If you dare to try it, you can find a bottle of the plain flavor for $9, which, according to Trader Joe's, makes 12 whole servings.

Reddit

Chunky Guacamole with Greek Yogurt

“Who approved that, JAIL!” someone said about this no-longer-sold guac made with Greek yogurt.

Some users in a separate thread actually called it an "abomination."

"Why tf did they add yogurt 😭," one person wrote.

"It’s not comparable to real guacamole, but I love it just as a dip," another noted.

Trader Joe's

Cacio E Pepe Pasta Sauce

“The jarred cacio [e] pepe sauce tasted like dirty feet," one Redditor called out.

I feel like cacio e pepe is definitely overused as a flavor at this point, so I kind of understand the hate towards this Trader Joe's product. This pick is crafted using Pecorino Romano cheese made from sheep’s milk and "bold" black pepper. TJ's recommends trying it over ravioli or gnocchi, in white lasagnas, or over some steamed broccoli.

Trader Joe's

Mandarin Orange Chicken

“Unpopular because everyone seems to love them but the orange chicken,🤮” someone responded to a thread asking about the grossest TJ's products. I honestly am sad to see that some shoppers really don't like this frozen meal – it's been one of my faves for years and I personally have no complaints!

“Agree, it’s very gristly," one Redditor said. "Also dark chicken meat (leg, thigh) makes me gag.”

Reddit

Shrimp Seafood Burgers

According to a Redditor, the TJ's Shrimp Seafood Burgers (no longer in stores) are “super fishy" and it can be hard to get over their "fishy smell.”

They also did not go over well with TJ's fans on this thread:

"I found these to be awful," someone said. "No amount of Old Bay and good butter could mask the fishy taste and aroma. The only good thing I can say about them is that they were cheap."

"They're not that great on their own, but do well enough in a shrimp taco or sushi roll in a bowl," one person offered.

"You have to doctor them because they seemingly have no flavor of their own," another user said. "I like them in the air fryer. Some people might find the texture weird though."

Reddit

Beef Pho Soup

“AVOID THE BEEF PHO,” one passionate user wrote. Based on my research, it's due to a major lack of flavor.

People were totally fired up about this item when it first dropped:

"This is a straight up scam," one person said. "How is it possible they made the broth FLAVORLESS??"

"It’s so bland, with no noodles," another wrote. "I was expecting a been sprout packets or something as well. Worse than any instant ramen 10/10 regret not making cup of noodles."

"Bought once, took one bite and trashed it," someone else commented. "Worst buy yet."

Trader Joe's

Spaghetti Carbonara

Trader Joe's calls this frozen pasta the queen of comfort foods, but some shoppers fully disagree.

“The only thing to stay away from is the new carbonara pasta," one Redditor wrote. "Literally tasteless!!!”

"Too soupy for carbonara," another said. "Way more like Olive Garden Alfredo than anything else."

"I just had this for the first time and it was sooooooo bland," someone else agreed. "I added so much pepper just to make it edible. Will not buy again."

Reddit

Cajun Style Alfredo Sauce

One Redditor wrote that this sauce was "one of the worst things I’ve ever eaten.”

Per this discussion, shoppers were left yearning for more flavor.

"I bought two jars thinking I would LOVE it. I ended up disliking it," one person commented. "There’s a spice that I can’t quite put my finger on that I didn’t enjoy. In my opinion, it’s not very spicy. In the future, I’d just get regular Alfredo and add my own spices."

"Just okay, I'd say," someone else agreed. "Less flavorful than I had hoped - I would def take the lemon Alfredo over this, I love that one."

Reddit

Frozen Chicken Taquitos

"Filled with chicken mush,” is how many people described these frozen Trader Joe's taquitos.

This thread talking about the product shed a lot of light on the intricacies of the texture:

"I bought some and they are nasty," one person said. "The filling is like eating a hot booger with fake lime juice. The chicken is not like any chicken but more like mystery meat. They need a dip for sure. You will taste more tortilla than the filling thankfully. Costco sells some that are tons better and you get more."

"They’re filled with bland chicken paste," another person chimed in. "They used to have good beef taquitos, don’t know happened to those. But these chicken ones were barely edible."

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more Trader Joe's stars (and snubs)!