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You remember the pink heels. Honestly, if you watched E! back in 2011, it was impossible to miss the sight of Coco Austin sashaying through a New York penthouse while Ice-T—the man who literally invented gangster rap—sat on the couch playing video games and eating sausage sandwiches. It was a bizarre, neon-colored fever dream. But here's the thing: people actually liked it.
Ice Loves Coco wasn't your typical reality TV train wreck. While the Kardashians were busy fighting over lost diamond earrings in the ocean, Ice and Coco were just... hanging out. It was weirdly wholesome.
The Reality of Ice Loves Coco
The show premiered on June 12, 2011. Most critics expected a disaster. You had Ice-T, the gritty star of Law & Order: SVU, and Coco, a swimsuit model known for her curves and, well, more curves. People assumed it would be all drama and scripted fights.
Instead, we got three seasons of a couple that actually seemed to enjoy each other’s company.
They didn't scream. They didn't throw drinks. Basically, the biggest conflict in an episode might be whether their English Bulldog, Spartacus, could land a modeling gig or if Coco’s "Licious" clothing line had a typo on the shirts. (Spoiler: it did—the shirts said "Licious" but some were printed as "Licous." Ice-T, ever the realist, had to break the news to her.)
Why did it stop?
By 2013, the show was a hit. Ratings were solid. So why did Ice-T pull the plug after Season 3?
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He eventually admitted on his podcast that reality TV was starting to "loop." Producers were getting bored with their lack of drama. They started suggesting "stunts" like putting Ice on a horse just to see what would happen. Ice, being Ice, wasn't having it. He’s been in the business for decades; he knows when a shark is about to be jumped.
He wanted to go out on top. Three seasons. No disrespect. No fake divorces.
They tried a talk show called Ice & Coco in 2015, but it only lasted for a three-week test run. It turns out people liked watching them live their lives more than they liked watching them interview other celebrities.
What the show got right about relationships
Most reality shows are built on the "Ross and Rachel" dynamic of "will they or won't they (break up)." Ice and Coco were already a decade into their marriage when the cameras started rolling. They met in 2001 on a music video set. Ice was in a bad mood; a friend brought Coco over to cheer him up. It worked.
They’ve stayed together through everything. Even in 2026, they are still celebrating anniversaries—25 years now.
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- Communication: Ice-T is famously blunt. He told Coco when her business ideas were shaky, but he always supported her.
- Individuality: Coco didn't just want to be "Ice-T's wife." The show followed her trying to build her own brand in Vegas and fashion.
- The Dogs: Let’s be real, Spartacus and Maximus were the real stars. Seeing a legendary rapper baby-talk a bulldog is peak television.
Where are they now in 2026?
A lot has changed since the cameras left their New Jersey home. The most significant addition? Their daughter, Chanel Nicole, who is now 10 years old.
Chanel was born in late 2015, long after the show ended. If you follow Coco on Instagram today, you know she’s basically a mini-me of her mom. They wear matching outfits, they go to fashion shows, and yes, the internet still has a lot of opinions about Coco's parenting.
Whether it's the "family bed" or how long she breastfed, Coco has always been a lightning rod for controversy. But she doesn't care. Neither does Ice. That’s probably why their marriage has outlasted almost every other reality TV couple in history.
Modern Projects
Ice-T is still the king of the "steady check." He’s still on SVU, and his band, Body Count, continues to tour and release music. He’s transitioned from the "scary rapper" of the 90s to the "internet’s favorite uncle" who gives surprisingly sound life advice on X (formerly Twitter).
Coco has stayed in the lifestyle and fitness space. She’s less about the "glamour modeling" these days and more about the "mom-fluencer" life, though she still keeps that signature aesthetic that made her famous.
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The Legacy of the Show
If you go back and watch old episodes now—which you can often find on E! Rewind or various streaming platforms—it feels like a time capsule. It was a simpler era of reality TV before every "star" was just trying to sell you a waist trainer or a crypto scam.
The show proved that you could be "unconventional" and still be a stable, loving family.
It also gave us a behind-the-scenes look at Law & Order: SVU that fans still obsess over. Seeing Mariska Hargitay and the rest of the cast hanging out with Coco in the hair and makeup trailer was the crossover nobody knew they needed.
Thinking about a rewatch?
If you're looking for drama, skip it. If you want something that feels like a warm hug wrapped in leopard print and heavy gold chains, Ice Loves Coco is still the gold standard.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check Streaming: Look for the "E! Rewind" collections on YouTube or Peacock to catch the best moments of Spartacus the Bulldog.
- Follow the Podcast: Ice-T still drops gems on his podcast, Final Level, where he occasionally reminisces about the reality TV days.
- Stay Updated: Follow Coco on social media if you want to see Chanel’s latest 10th-birthday milestones, as the family is notoriously open about their daily lives.