In her first solo effort from sister act Chloe x Halle, singer-songwriter Chloe Baily covered Nina Simone’s version of “Feeling Good,” a timeless classic representing joy and freedom. In honor of Juneteenth being named a federal holiday, the “Do It” singer performed the newly-released song on ABC’s Juneteenth: Together We Triumph – A Soul of a Nation Special Event Friday night, but was met with mixed reactions for her sultry and seductive dance routine.
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Wearing a jewel-encrusted black catsuit with matching heels, Bailey, 22, turned heads during her live performance of “Feeling Good” with her twerking and provocative dance moves. The song is also featured on Disney’s Music for the Movement Volume III – Liberated EP, a project honoring Black culture and Juneteenth. YBN Cordae and Yara Shahidi are also on the EP, which dropped last Friday.
After the young singer was met with criticism over the performance being “inappropriate,” Simone’s granddaughter, RéAnna Simone Kelly, tweeted her support of Bailey, saying that the late activist and entertainer would have also loved it.
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“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 wrote following the Juneteenth performance. “She would’ve loved that performance as much as I do! Relax. Chloe killed it.”
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. #NinaSimone
— RéAnna Simone Kelly (@reasiimone) June 19, 2021
Celebrating Bailey, another person wrote in support, “Chloe Bailey felt good in her rendition of “Feeling Good”. She’s a free Black woman commemorating Juneteenth?! Can we celebrate that? She made this ode to Aunt Nina her own. I take no issue with it. Sis put in work and did her thing.”
Chloe Bailey felt good in her rendition of “Feeling Good”. She’s a free Black woman commemorating Juneteenth?! Can we celebrate that? She made this ode to Aunt Nina her own. I take no issue with it. Sis put in work and did her thing. ???? #SoulOfANation
— Ngeri Nnachi (@NubianExcellenc) June 19, 2021
Ummm why people on the internet acting like Feeling Good from Nina Simone was some sorta negro spiritual?
Heck I always associate the song burlesque and divine feminine energy. Y’all weird.
Chloe Bailey did what needed to be done.
— Sailor Goon?
? (@jelaeJsm) June 19, 2021
While some other fans agreed that Bailey did a phenomenal job, others still weren’t convinced that the performance fit the song and the Juneteenth celebration.
“Nobody is coming for Chloe Bailey. I still love her lol, but that was not the place for that performance. Everything doesn’t have to be sexual or sensual like….. it was a Juneteenth celebration lmao,” one user tweeted about the “Feeling Good” performance.
Nobody is coming for Chloe Bailey. I still love her lol, but that was not the place for that performance. Everything doesn’t have to be sexual or sensual like….. it was a Juneteenth celebration lmao.
— Anne P (@Whoajustagirl) June 19, 2021
Idc Chloe Bailey ATE.. just at the wrong table though—baby it’s Nina Simone? https://t.co/3ZZgw183sq
— SATOSHI BABY (@_haeshaa) June 19, 2021
“Nina Simone was a free spirit. Chloe Bailey is an awesome performer. That performance missed the mark. All three can be true,” another user tweeted.
Nina Simone was a free spirit. Chloe Bailey is an awesome performer. That performance missed the mark. All three can be true.
— Erin Rene (@sheisme_juste) June 19, 2021
Chloe Bailey performance for Juneteenth was embarrassing. She did entirely too much. Trying to be sexy for an event which was about ending slavery WAS NOT IT. That performance was hot trash.
— Jah (@Jah_1_luv) June 19, 2021
Seemingly unbothered by the criticism, Bailey tweeted Simone’s granddaughter back and thanked her for the support, writing “thank you so much. your grandmother!! what a legacy!!! i will forever x always love Ms. Simone. she has always inspired me.”
thank you so much. your grandmother!! what a legacy!!! i will forever x always love Ms. Simone. she has always inspired me ?? https://t.co/kfANrRy1ZX
— Chlöe (@ChloeBailey) June 19, 2021
Were you a fan of the sexy version of “Feeling Good?” Let us know your opinion in the comments.
