Chlöe Bailey on Infamous Microphone Licking Moment During Her VMA Performance
Chlöe Bailey is the hottest thing in music right now. Formerly of the sister duo Chloe x Halle, the Parkwood Entertainment star is on a promotional tour for her debut single “Have Mercy.” Bailey kicked off the promotional tour with a showstopping performance at this year’s VMAs. Her performance garnered a standing ovation and praise across social media platforms but the “ah-ha” moment came with an unplanned lick of her microphone.
The singer says the moment was not planned
Bailey made her solo performance debut of her hot new single at the 2021 MTV Video Musc Awards. Donned in a hot pink bodysuit, with hot pink combat boots, long blonde faux locs, and a group of dancers – Bailey proved why she’s Beyonce’s protegee. She danced her heart out while simultaneously hitting high notes singing live. But the biggest moment came at the end of the performance when the 23-year-old licked the microphone.
Related: Will Chlöe Appear in Disney’s Live-Action ‘The Little Mermaid’ Alongside Sister Halle Bailey?
“I don’t know how that happened,” she said during a recent interview with Power Mornings. “And even just thinking about it, I got chills because that was not planned. When I’m on stage, it’s kind of like an out-of-body experience. I just feel like I’m being a vessel of God’s light and that’s where I feel the most confidence and I kind of go in a daze. I don’t even remember doing that.”
Bailey says it was not until she watched clips back online that she realized the moment. “I looked back on my phone and on Twitter and I’m like, ‘What?!’ I said, ‘Uh oh!’” She hilariously jokes about being grossed out by the moment, explaining that she’s “such a stickler for germs.”
The ‘Grown-ish’ star reacts to a recent NPR article praising her for her body positivity
The reaction to Bailey’s “Have Mercy” video has been overwhelmingly positive. NPR refers to Bailey as the “poster child for booty positivity.” Bailey says it’s an honor to be commended for her work in that way. She especially loves the NPR nod because she has experienced much criticism on her social media accounts for her often-sexy attire and her love of twerking.
Related: Beyoncé’s Connection to Chloe x Halle Dates Back Decades
“I like that. That’s pretty cool. I think women are incredible and have amazing bodies and even for me, learning to love my curves, it took me a second to get there—I have such a challenge with food and I love food so damn much,” she says.
Bailey recalls going through puberty and her curves starting to come in. She admits to previously being ashamed of having stretch marks from her growth spurt but says she now embraces them. “Now I love them. I’m like, ‘Don’t edit those out [of pictures],’” she says.
Chlöe Bailey snaps back at critics who say she’s overly sexy
It’s been a journey for Bailey to get to the level of confidence she currently has. She admits that online attacks have been hurtful. But Bailey insists she’s being her true self. Still, it’s been difficult for some fans, namely older fans who have watched her grow up, to accept her as a growing adult.
When asked during the interview whether or not she understands people’s resistance to her level of sexy, Bailey says she does but hints that she doesn’t care. She understands why some fans feel that her persona came out of nowhere, specifically her dance style and social media presence.
“The thing is, all those dance videos, I have like 20 of those all edited on my phone and everything,” she explains. “Even the content that’s out there, no one’s really seen everything and I’ve had that building up for years.”
Bailey says she’s working on the finishing touches of her full debut studio album. She’s hopeful that fans will be receptive to her music.
