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Chloe Bailey twerks to Nina Simone's 'Feeling Good', slammed for 'poor choice'

'She's humping the floor in a catsuit in the name of liberation,' a Twitter user threw shade at Chloe Bailey

Singer Chloe Bailey has drawn criticism online for her racy dance routine while covering a Nina Simone song. Bailey was singing Simone's classic hit 'Feeling Good' on the latest episode of ABC's 'Soul of The Nation'. Though she put up a powerful performance with unmatched vocal range and skills, it was her dance and twerking that did not sit well with  Simone's fans. While a section of Twitter users shaded Bailey, her fans came to her support and condemned the critics. Chloe even earned the whole-hearted support of Simone's granddaughter RéAnna Simone Kelly.

Simone, the legendary singer and civil rights activist had mesmerized the audience with her music for decades. Her prowess in classical, jazz, R&B, Blues and multiple other musical genres was evident through her iconic songs like 'Feeling Good', 'I Wish I Knew', or 'Ain't Got No, I Got Life'.  Bailey, who is considered to be Beyonce's protege, and other singers were paying tribute to the legend in the month of Juneteenth while commemorating Black icons who shaped the socio-political history of America. 'Soul of The Nation' is a six-part documentary on ABC that explores the realities of Black life. 

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Social media was flooded with negative comments and remarks about Bailey's performance as some called her disrespectful towards Simone and even dubbed her 'insane'.  "Chloe, girl... This wasn't appropriate for Nina Simone sis. Those vocals were Fire but not that routine. #SoulofaNation," a Twitter user wrote about Chloe Bailey. "Chloe bailey is insane for this," another user slammed her.

A third user shaded her saying, "Y'all told Chloe Bailey to lean into her sex appeal. Now she's humping the floor in a catsuit in the name of liberation #SoulOfANation." Another shared, "Did not like her performance at all! It was very inappropriate. Took all the Respect from Nina Simone and that song! I can't believe the producers saw this was fitting. I am shocked! It was demeaning." One said: "People focusing on how Chloe Bailey performed Nina Simone’s song but no one is talking about how a burlesque style dance was a poor choice for the occasion, period."

In a Twitter thread, RéAnna Simone Kelly elaborated in detail why Bailey's performance did not deserve the criticism it is getting. "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," Kelly tweeted. 

"Grandma was unapologetically herself. She was a muhhhf**kin 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," she continued. 

Kelly also added, "@ChloeBailey you did your THANG girl!! Period !! Also, watch “What Happened Miss Simone” on Netflix if you want to learn more about grandma :) Happy Juneteenth y’all! #ChloeBailey #NinaSimone."