Chloe Bailey defended by Nina Simone’s granddaughter over ‘sexualised’ Feeling Good performance

Chloe Bailey has received support from Nina Simone’s granddaughter other stars after her performance of Nina Simone’s Feeling Good was branded too ‘sexualised’.  

The Chloe x Halle singer made her solo TV debut on ABC’s Juneteenth special, Juneteenth: Together We Triumph – A Soul of a Nation Special Event, where she performed a rendition of Simone’s 1965 classic.  

Donning a bejeweled bodysuit, Chloe performed sexy dance moves across the stage and twerked on the floor while delivering powerful vocals although, some felt her spin on Simone’s iconic track were too racy.  

‘I don’t like how Chloe over sexualized this rendition of Nina Simone’s “Feelin’ Good,” like who thought that was ok?!?!?!’ one viewer tweeted.  

However, Chloe’s performance did go down well with Simone’s family as the late singer’s granddaughter ReAnna Simone Kelly tweeted: ‘Everyone’s coming at @ChloeBailey for her performance of my grandmother Nina Simone’s song Feeling Good.  

‘But what y’all don’t understand is that grandma was a free spirited woman herself!! She would’ve loved that performance as much as I do! Relax. Chloe killed it.’  

ReAnna added: ‘Grandma was unapologetically herself. She was a muhhhf****n badass woman who did what she wanted when she wanted. She was a sexual woman and she expressed that. Educate yourselves !! If grandma could she probably would’ve done that performance herself.’

Chloe’s celebrity friends also rushed to support her performance, with Jordyn Woods commenting: ‘You hit different.’  

Ryan Destiny simply added: ‘Ate.’  

Little Mix star Perrie Edwards remarked: ‘Oh wow.’  

Chloe’s sister and group mate Halle Bailey said: ‘That b***h.’  

It’s not the first time Chloe, 22, has faced criticism for being what critics deem ‘too sexy’.  

In February, the Do It singer broke down in tears on social media after responding to the negativity surrounding her sultry Instagram posts. She had blessed fans with body confident photos as well as her take on viral TikTok trends such as the Buss It challenge and the Silhouette challenge. 

Addressing the scrutiny in an emotional video, Chloe said: ‘When I perform, when I make music and when I dance, that’s when I get to tap into the sexier side of myself and that’s where I find my confidence. 

‘So it really means a lot to me when I can finally get to place where I share who I really am. I have been really insecure for a long time and I’m finally at that place where I have self-confidence.’ 

The singer teared up as she continued: ‘I’m really happy that I get to share that with you all. And I think it’s so important and so special when a black woman can be strong and stand in her power in every single way. I do it musically with my songwriting and my producing… and I get the same feeling when I dance in my room and I own who I am and my body. 

‘For so long I used to think I was fat and I used to hate my stretch marks and my cellulite, but now I really own who I am. I don’t post what I post for validation from anybody or for male attention. It’s just me. Anyone who had my private Instagram, knows that’s just who I am. That’s how I found my confidence.’ 

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