Chlöe Bailey sat down for an interview with Essence and talked about the challenge of finding her confidence. The 24-year-old, who graced the cover of the most recent Essence issue, said she’s not always as bold as she seems.
“As much as people think I’m so confident, 80% of the time I feel the complete opposite of that,” she told Essence. “That’s why I put so much of myself into my music. That’s where I feel like myself and where I belong in this life — whenever I’m onstage. The girl I see and I watch sing back, she intimidates me. I’m like, Who the hell is that?”
The Atlanta native said she was inspired by artists such as Destiny’s Child, Alicia Keys and Erykah Badu while growing up. Chlöe and her sister Halle are now making a name for themselves with their unique contributions to music and fashion.
“Back then, our look was very Atlanta, very Southern country and very Siamese twins,” Chlöe said. “I look back at photos and videos and cringe. It’s so fun to see the evolution and how we were once just like, ‘Okay, as long as it’s color coordinated and we have matching things, then we’re good.’”
The duo’s second studio album, Ungodly Hour, played a key role in helping them develop their own style as artists.
“We wanted to call the album Ungodly Hour because this is the time where it’s OK not to be perfect,” Chlöe told CBS News in 2020. “A lot of people perceive us as these two little angels, but there’s so much more to us than that. We’re growing as young women and we’re learning to love ourselves, while owning our insecurities, vulnerabilities and sexuality. I can’t wait for everyone to learn more about us when they hear this album.”
The sisters refused to slow down during the pandemic, making music videos on their tennis court at home. Chlöe and Halle showed more of their unique style when they performed at the 2020 VMAs, wearing metal bodysuits and thigh-high boots.
Beyoncé gushed about the sisters when she presented them with the Rising Star Award at the 2020 Billboard Women in Music Awards.
“I’m so proud of you,” Beyoncé said, according to Billboard. “You’ve done this with authenticity, with grace, with raw talent, and you manage to shine in every room you enter, and I’ll always love you.”
Chlöe said she and her sister were forced to find their own identities as artists when they were separated for a few months. The separation happened when Halle earned the role of Ariel in the upcoming live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.
“It was so exciting, but it forced us to be in two different places, which was very, very scary,” said Chlöe, who was filming Grown-ish in Los Angeles while Halle was on set in London.
Chlöe, who was unable to travel due to COVID-19 safety protocols while the sisters were separated, began making new music as a form of therapy and ultimately produced her own solo project.
Although Chlöe hasn’t released her album, she released the first three singles, “Mercy,” “Treat Me” and “Surprise.”
