On Friday night, Chloe Bailey broke the internet when she performed her first solo performance of her cover version of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” at the Juneteenth: Together We Triumph special.
Chloe took to the stage in a black, sparkly catsuit emblazoned with diamonds during ABC’s “Soul of The Nation,” and performed a raunchy version of the song complete with twerking.
The performance was praised by some, and while everybody agreed that her vocal performance was impressive, others felt her sensual display was inappropriate for the event and for Simone’s legacy.
“Chloe, girl… This wasn’t appropriate for Nina Simone sis. Those vocals were Fire but not that routine. #SoulofaNation,” one Twitter user wrote.
While others defended the rising starlet:
“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.”
Another fan added, “people did not pay attention to Nina Simone and it SHOWS. Nina was very sex positive and literally did photoshoots with her cooch out. I don’t think she’d be upset with Chloë Bailey twerking to Felling Good, a literal song about black joy. Miss girl was getting it.”
The Beyonce’s protege earned a cosign from Simone’s granddaughter RéAnna Simone Kelly.
Chloe’s cover of “Feeling Good” is off the “Music for the Movement Volume III – Liberated” EP, released on Friday.
“Music for the Movement Volume III – Liberated,” is the third volume in Disney’s four-part series of EPs honoring Black lives and social justice. It is in collaboration with Disney Music Group and ESPN’s The Undefeated.
