Chloe Bailey has been the brunt of vicious social media critique since embarking on her solo career. The writing was on the wall for some time that she was seeking solo ventures, and in 2021, she debuted her first solo single, “Have Mercy.” Many felt the video was too sexual, accusing her of veering away from her “good girl” Chloe x Halle image. Gladly, Bailey has learned to ignore the negativity, pointing out one similarity all her haters have in common.
During the promo run for her debut album, In Pieces, the 24-year-old sat down with Atlanta’s Majic 107.5. During this chat, a very important topic arose, one that the singer has dealt with in her group, Chloe x Halle, and by herself. Host Ryan Cameron brought up the fact that some fans may want the young women to remain the kid stars they once were. As children, the sisters appeared in “The Fighting Temptations” alongside Beyoncé in 2003. Then in their teens, the ladies performed records inspired by young romance. Now in their early 20s, the subject matter is much more mature, though Bailey doesn’t believe people have an issue with their lyrics. Instead, she feels the ones who judge her the harshest were never fans of her and Halle, to begin with.
Chloe Bailey Slams The Online Trolls
“The same people who say that weren’t fans of Halle and I when we had our ‘Ungodly Hour’ album out, ‘The Kids Are Alright.’ So, it’s a bunch of people who are just putting in their two cents now just to really say things,” she explained to Cameron. Since the release of In Pieces which surprised many, Bailey has endured even more negativity. The album did not have a vast rollout as expected. Several early reviews of the project have been unkind, accusing the Grammy award nominee of not knowing her audience. A Pitchfork review even harshly referred to the record as “a compilation of soulless singles.”
Aside from her music, Bailey has also caught some slack from her performance in “Swarm.” The element in particular that set viewers off was an intimate scene between herself and actor Damson Idris. She received widespread backlash for depicting a sexual act, another sign that many are still attached to her perceived youthful innocence. Despite all the hatred, it seems Bailey has managed to block it out.