
Chloe Bailey’s performance of “Feeling Good” somehow made some viewers feel.
Half of Chloe x Halle made her solo television debut when she performed a cover of Nina Simone’s 1965 classic in ABC’s June special “Juneteenth: Together We Triumph – A ‘Soul of a Nation’ Special Event” on Friday night. Bailey stunned in a sparkling catsuit as she danced in front of a giant moon during her sexy set that included some provocative moves and even a little twerking.
While it was widely praised by viewers, others questioned the appropriateness of the Juneteenth performance, calling it “oversexualized”.
I don’t like the way Chloe oversexualized this interpretation of Nina Simone’s “Feelin ‘Good”, like who thought that was okay?!?!?! I hope black twitter lets them have it #SoulOfANation
– Mattea Smith (@MatteaMarie) June 19, 2021
Chloe Bailey graduated from Beyoncé University summa cum laude
– Your favorite (@PartitionBeat) June 19, 2021
Following the controversy, Nina Simone’s granddaughter RéAnna Simone Kelly defended Chloe, saying that her late grandmother loved the performance.
“Everyone comes to @ChloeBailey for her performance of my grandmother Nina Simone’s song ‘Feeling Good’,” RéAnna tweeted. “But what you don’t understand is that Grandma was a free-spirited woman herself !! She would have loved this performance as much as I did! Relax. Chloe killed it. “
Chloe’s interpretation of “Feeling Good” can be found on Disney’s Music for the Clockwork Volume III – Liberated EP, along with contributions from Cordae, Common, and Lucky Daye.
All perish @ChloeBailey for her performance of the song “Feeling Good” by my grandmother Nina Simone. But what you don’t understand is that Grandma was a free spirited woman herself !! She would have loved this performance as much as I did! Relax. Chloe killed it. #Nina Simone
– RéAnna Simone Kelly (@reasiimone) June 19, 2021