We sit down with J’Something and his beautiful wife Coco for a glimpse into their world, where heart and home meet in perfect harmony…
He’s an award-winning singer, songwriter, music producer, cook, entrepreneur and a super-dope human being. You may also know him as the groovy judge on The Masked Singer SA. J’Something (aka Joao da Fonseca) is a man of many talents, indeed. But as the saying goes: “Behind every great man is a great woman.” And that woman is Cordelia ‘Coco’ da Fonseca, his wife of nearly 10 years. She is his muse and biggest fan, and together the two are all about family, fun and flavour. For the couple, home truly is where the heart is…
Always in sync
When it comes to J and Coco, it’s clear that their partnership is built on a deep, intuitive connection. What stands out the most is the effortless rhythm they share, both as life partners and in their respective careers. J’Something, best known as the lead singer of Mi Casa, speaks about how Coco, a creative force in her own right, is the steady anchor that keeps their family grounded.
“I think that the journey of 10 years, being married for a decade, is unreal! It’s like a pat on the shoulder… like we’ve actually come quite far,” he exclaims.
“Over the years, Coco has rubbed off on me in many different ways. You know, I’ve seen her pretty much mould me like clay… And when I look back at it, I think she’s made me a lot softer in the most beautiful way. I think her appreciation for things has made me appreciate what I have so much more.”
As they work as a team to build a home and lasting legacy that they can be proud of, the couple make sure to prioritise their connection despite having busy schedules. “We’re intentional about our time together,” says Coco. “It’s just the two of us, and there’s no phones if we’re watching series, and he’s really good at just being in the moment. And that for me means the most.”
J adds: “I think that it’s a daily objective for both of us – to be aware of each other and to love each other. It’s a daily activity. So I think that we keep the romance alive by approaching it daily.”
Something’s cooking
Their connection isn’t just emotional – it’s practical too. J’Something and Coco are co-creators in all aspects of their lives, from their thriving businesses to a shared love of family gatherings.
At the end of last year they launched Coco & J, collaborating with SMEG for a ‘12 Days of Christmas’ competition. They shared exclusive content and creative inspiration to spread joy and love over the holidays, including some of their favourite dishes like curried prawn rissoles and a leek, bacon and gruyère potato bake.
More recently, they collaborated on Lover’s Rock – a Valentine’s food and music picnic in Muldersdrift in the Cradle of Humankind last month. Bringing their culinary passion to life started at the DStv Delicious Festival last year, where they did a cooking demo in the Windhoek VIP lounge. But cooking together at home has really become ‘their thing’.
“We’re so good at delegating. We’re very good at, like, ‘I’m going to make this, you’re going to make that’, and we stay out of each other’s way. We don’t put fingers in each other’s pots while we’re cooking! We trust each other a lot, and we also know what we’re both individually good at,” Coco explains.
“I love that we’ve just got the vibe in the kitchen,” says J. “And a ritual is that there’s always music. I don’t recall cooking without music going in the background.”
Whether it’s coming up with new culinary creations, or choosing the perfect décor for their living space, they’ve mastered the art of collaboration, always in sync with each other’s desires and visions.
“We must give ourselves some kudos, though. Our house looks dope! I wouldn’t call us ‘interior design people’, but definitely I would call us ‘inquisitive about interior design’… We’re currently working on our bedroom now – something special that we’re excited about, working on new lighting and furniture,” J enthuses.
Home Comforts
For Coco and J, their space is a sanctuary that reflects their love, passions and personalities. Their house feels like an extension of who they are: welcoming, warm and deeply personal.
“I think there’s something to be said about people who grow up in a loving home. And I want to give my kids the most incredible foundation,” says Coco. “I want my children to go, ‘Hmm, this is not going to work for me. I didn’t grow up doing that’, or ‘We didn’t do that at my house’, or ‘You can’t yell at me like that. We don’t raise voices.’
“I think in a world that can be so loud and so judgemental and intense, to have a place where you go and it’s safe, and you can just be and express yourself in different ways, is important,” she continues. [The couple prefer not to reveal the names or details of their children for privacy reasons.]
“My advice is to always try and make your home your safe space, your safety net. Make sure you have a comfy bed and have your favourite teas, books, etcetera. I believe in putting more effort into creating comfort in my home than anywhere else.”
And together they do just that, maintaining a close-knit unit, instilling wholesome values in one another and creating memories and traditions that will last forever.
J admits he really enjoys birthdays at home. “When we all get to wake up, we have to have the pancakes for breakfast – the pancake cake stacked – and the balloons… even if it’s a school day, it’s still power; it’s a beautiful tradition.”
“I have really enjoyed Valentine’s Day at home,” says Coco. “We all pick a course
[for the menu] and the children [including nieces and nephews] are involved. It’s ‘love day’, and I love that we all get to share how we love each other and we all dress up a little bit and have a beautiful meal around the table.”
One thing is for sure – their family unit is all about spending quality time together and building a home with a solid foundation.
“Come as you are. Build your nest, wherever you live, with whatever you have… build your nest like a bird does, one twig at a time. Romanticise your life, romanticise your home,” the couple adds.
Living ’n loving
This month J’Something and Mi Casa will be taking over the MSC cruise ship Musica, with an event titled ‘FriendShip’– it’s all about music, that cruising life and 3 000 passengers for three days. So, there’s a lot of exciting things going on that keep him busy.
However, the couple remain grounded in their partnership, always making sure to embrace and uplift each other.
“We’re intentional about our time together. It’s just the two of us… He’s really good at just being in the moment. And that for me means the most”
“What I’ve noticed is with us focusing so much more on our commonalities, that our differences have gone so far away out of mind,” J explains. “It’s about focusing more of your attention on what you do have in common and you’ll notice how little differences you have.”
He says that he and Coco have learned to embrace each other’s language and culture, “understanding how things are in a Tswana family and understanding how things are in a Portuguese family, and figuring things out along the way. Her learning how to make some of my favourite dishes is just an example of how we’ve embraced each other’s differences. But we’re also just so close… on a daily basis, we’re so in sync.”
It’s all love, no matter how busy things get. At the heart of their life together is love – a love that has only deepened over the years. Whether they’re laughing over a shared joke, sharing a new-found love for peanut butter and new-age soul music, supporting each other’s individual dreams, or simply enjoying a chilled evening as a family, J’Something and Coco are living proof that when you’re in sync with the right person, life and love are truly worth celebrating.
So, “come as you are”, as they say, and take a page from J’Something and Coco’s recipe book for a life filled with passion, purpose
and a whole lot of love.
Q&A
Your shared dream travel destination?
Italy.
A bucket list item you both want to check off soon?
Our backyard renovation.
If you could go on a double date with any famous couple, who would it be?
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen.
If you could change anything about the world, what would it be?
Judgement, prejudice, and to eliminate hatred.
Favourite song at the Moment:
‘The Dress’ by Dijon.
Keep up with them
Instagram:
@jsomethingmusic
@cocodafonseca
@bycocoandj
TikTok:
@jsomethingmusic
@cordeliacocofonseca
Words by Charndré Emma Kippie
Photography by Kyle Worde (WOM Agency)
