Biography

Austin is a singer/songwriter/actor.

He worked with Madonna on her upcoming album Hard Candy.

He is also working with Faith Evans, Brandy, Jesse McCartney, Missy Elliott, Kellie Pickler and Ashlee Simpson on there upcoming albums.

Austin grew up in Rialto, CA and then at the age of seven moved to San Dimas, CA and has resided there until September 2007 when he moved to Los Angeles, CA.
Austin has had a very sad life, His father died when he was barely nine months old, due to Austin's dad being in a gang. Him and his mother have also had a very love/hate relationship for all his life, He has felt so down and out that he even considered wanting to "kill himself" not literally but just felt that way due to the way his family and kids at school treated him all his life, Cookins' grandparents were always there for him and would let him live with them, He always was going somewhere with his grandma they were so close, Later in his early teen years, He became much more close to his Aunt, She would always let him stay a few nights with her and her "adult" children. Austin has always loved to sing, dance and act as a child, He even made up his own movie scripts and wrote songs at the ripe age of ten. Austin was noticed in a Janet Jackson promotional commercial for her 2006 album 20 Y.O., Then seen in a Doritos commercial. Now Cookins signed a 2 year contract with CBS for a role in the hit daytime drama Young and the Restless portraying Michael Graziadei's character Daniel Romalotti's "bisexual friend" from High School back in Switzerland with a secret from there "past". Austin's debut on the show is still unknown although slated for June 6, 2008.
Austin is also signed to Jive Records and Mosley Music Group which is owned by music producer Timbaland, Austin's debut album Fly is still in production, The first single "Now" is going to be released on airwaves May 5, The single was co-produced by Sean Garrett and Bloodshy & Avant, Austin finished wrapping up the music video on March 16, The video directed by Hype Williams was shot in Running Springs, CA, Austin's myspace account is http://www.myspace.com/austincookins . You can contact him and read his blogs for much more info.
Go to http://www.JamesDevaughn.Blogspot.com for more info.

Debut Album, TV Show & Book (2008)

Austin's debut album is titled Fly and he has been working on the album since December 2008, Also Cookins is signed to CBS on the hit daytime show Young and the Restless.
How it started with Y&R was that Austin sent in an auditioning DVD to CBS and got a callback three days later, Austin met up with a few producers and writers from Y&R and CBS on March 4, 2008 at a local Hollywood restaurant Social, He then signed the papers and is slated to star on the show. June 6 was the original date but due to Austin's singing career the role has been put on hiatus for two years, Though Austin's role will debut in a short scene on June 6, Someone else will be portraying Austin's character Ryan until Austin can return to the role, Austin is also writing a book titled "Follow Your Heart" the book is coming out sometime in late 2009. the new album will feature production from Timbaland, Pharrell, The Runners, Danja, Scott Storch, T-Pain, Stuart Price, Kara DioGuardi, Vada Nobles, Jermaine Dupri, Bloodshy & Avant, Sean Garrett, Terius Nash, Christopher Stewart and Stargate. The album will have an "overall pop/hip-hop/R&B/dance feel to it". Janet Jackson, MIA, Madonna, Lil Kim, Lil Mama, Stevie Brock, Keyshia Cole & T-Pain are guests featured on the album, Missy Elliott was one of the guest apperance's but decided to wait until her new album to put the song her and Austin did together on her album, four days ago the song titled was revealed in a interview with Complex Magazine it's titled "Love".