Abstract: A method of preparing a coated article is disclosed. The method includes depositing a coating composition on a surface of a substrate to form a calcia-magnesia-alumina-silicate (CMAS)-resistant thermal barrier coating (TBC) thereon and give the coated article. The coating composition comprises from about 3 to about 50 wt. % of one or more rare-earth oxides, from about 45 to about 96.5 wt. % zirconia, and from about 0.5 to about 4 wt. % alumina, each based on the total weight of the coating composition. As deposited, the alumina is distributed substantially homogeneously throughout the CMAS-resistant TBC. A coated part prepared with the method is also disclosed.