While some are slamming Chloe Bailey's remake of Nina Simone's iconic song, "Feeling Good," the granddaughter of the legendary artist is defending the performance that is being deemed as provocative. 

RéAnna Simone Kelly went to Twitter to defend Bailey's controversial first official solo release, performed as part of ABC’s "Juneteenth: Together We Triumph" special on Friday.

“Grandma was a free spirited woman herself!! She would’ve loved that performance as much as I do,” Kelly wrote. “Grandma was unapologetically herself. She was a muhhhf***in badass woman who did what she wanted when she wanted. She was a sexual woman and she expressed that.”

According to That Grape Juice, Nina’s official Twitter handle criticized the performance, but later deleted the post. But there are also questions about who runs the icon's social media accounts.

"Nina simone passed away April 21, 2003 & Twitter launched July 15, 2006, why would her estate even make an account for her?" one person asked.

nina simone passed away april 21, 2003 & twitter launched july 15, 2006, why would her estate even make an account for her? pic.twitter.com/bz3VVFgpge

— M (@confessedliar) June 19, 2021

Kelly addressed the question.

"Nina’s granddaughter here. My family doesn’t run her estate anymore," she said. "It was taken away from us & given to white people. Our family name was DRAGGED in the media. We get NO royalties, nothing. Wanna hold someone accountable? Ask Kamala Harris why she came for my family #NinaSimone." 

According to The Daily Beast, Simone's family has been in a dispute with Vice President Kamala Harris since 2013. 

Harris, who was serving as California’s Attorney General at the time, oversaw the family's case when Kelly was accused of “breaching her fiduciary duty” to the estate and trust. The case closed with Kelly losing her title of estate administrator and being forced to give up her rights to Simone’s works. 

"OH WAIT, While we’re asking Kamala questions ask her why after all of this pain and suffering she put us through a Nina Simone song was sang at the inauguration to swear her in as VP?! She knew what she was doing," Kelly said in one of her latest tweets.

While some continued to take shots at Bailey, describing her performance as too sexual and inappropriate for the occasion, others came to defend the remake.

Bailey's supporters also gave a history lesson for the critics.

As she garnered plenty of attention on social media amid the controversy, Kelly took the opportunity to promote her own work.

As Blavity previously reported, Simone was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.  The legendary singer, pianist and songwriter, who died in 2003, is also remembered for work during the Civil Rights movement.


The humans right champion fueled the fight for freedom with songs such as "Mississippi, Goddam" and albums such as Little Girl Blue. 

Chloe-BaileyNina SimoneRéAnna Simone Kelly