
‘I’m Never Alone’: Chlöe Bailey Talks Going Solo & Being Apart From Sister Halle

When Chlöe Bailey first stepped onto the scene with her sister Halle as the Beyonce-backed duo Chloe x Halle, they commanded everyone's attention with their powerful yet angelic voices. Now, they are all grown up and working on separate endeavors, but that doesn't mean they are growing apart.
Rumors of the sisters splitting up first began when they created separate social media accounts this past January after sharing one together for 9 years. Then, it was announced that Halle Bailey would star as Ariel in the live-action remake The Little Mermaid (slated for a 2023 release) and more recently, Chlöe released her bass heavy solo single "Have Mercy" with a jaw-dropping video attached.
Bryan Bedder/MTV VMAs 2021/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS
The 23-year-old also made her solo debut at the 2021 VMAs performing the hit single and Halle was also there presenting her big sister to the masses.
During her recent appearance on The Real, the Grown-ish star opened up about her solo journey calling it "exciting" but "scary" and how Halle is by her side.
"...even though I have been promoting this new song, my sister has been there with me every step of the way. I always see her every day like even at the VMAs we were like this there (crossing her fingers). So, it doesn't really feel like I'm alone and even right before the performance, Halle introduced me and across the stage I was able to just look out at her and I was almost in tears before I even started singing. And I was like OK, even though I feel alone sometimes, I'm never alone 'cause she's right there and I hope she feels the same with me."
Rich Fury/Getty Images for Global Citizen
Following Chlöe's epic performance, the sisters linked back up to perform at the Global Citizen concert reminding their Chloe x Halle fans that their bond can never be broken.
"I think we both needed that performance that night. I can't explain it. Right before we went on, Stevie Wonder was performing. We were backstage, we're like, 'oh my goodness.' We felt the love and the high energy and we were both so nervous because you know in this pandemic, we haven't really been out in front of an audience performing together like that so being out there, it just felt so freeing. I got to look over to my left and see my beautiful sister and her voice is out of this world and being able to harmonize like that together, it was just... it was the best feeling."
The dynamic duo continues to wow fans whether they are singing together or apart and they also have each other's backs, no matter what. Chloe and Halle prove time and time again what it means to be a sister and how to grow up while growing together.
Featured image by Jason Mendez/Getty Images
Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
Ashley Versher is known for her work in the Tyler Perry's Beauty In Black series and more recently, she starred alongside Taraji P. Henson in the Netflix film Straw. But she is more than just her acting credits and stunning looks (her hair alone is everything). In an xoNecole exclusive, Ashley dishes on her first celebrity crush, how she spends her downtime, and her go-to haircare products because we need the deets.
Get to know Ashley below.
xoNecole: Where are you from?
Ashley Versher: San Francisco - BAY AREAAAAAA!!!!
xoN: What was your first major acting role?
AV: A 49ers Super Bowl commercial - I think I was 3.
Ashley Versher
Johnny Marlow
xoN: Have you ever had an embarrassing or funny audition story? If so, what happened?
AV: Yes! I was doing a self-tape once and I forgot to take off my bonnet. But the tape was so good I sent it in anyway.
xoN: Your hair is gorgeous. What has it been like navigating Hollywood with natural hair?
AV: Thank you so much! Navigating Hollywood with natural hair has definitely been a journey of self-discovery. Early on, I had to make a conscious decision about how I wanted to show up—not just in this industry, but for myself. Once I fully embraced my natural hair and committed to the journey, everything else began to align. It’s been nothing short of empowering.
Navigating Hollywood with natural hair has definitely been a journey of self-discovery. Early on, I had to make a conscious decision about how I wanted to show up—not just in this industry, but for myself.
xoN: What are your favorite go-to hair products?
AV: Ooooooo, right now I’m loving Camille Rose’s Jai Twisting Butter—it’s super moisturizing and gives me a fun, bouncy twist-out! I’ve also recently gotten into oils, and I’m especially loving sweet almond oil.
xoN: We know you as an actress, but what is another special talent you have that most people don't know about?
AV: I trained as a classical violinist for 13/14years.
xoN: Who is your hero?
AV: My mom. She’s incredible - full stop.
Ashley Versher
Johnny Marlow
xoN: How do you like to spend your down time?
AV: Ha! What’s that!? Jk jk, I love to travel, that’s honestly my favorite thing.
xoN: Who was your first celebrity crush?
AV: Prince.
xoN: What is your dream role?
AV: One day I will play a witch with Harry Potter-like powers!
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Feature image by Johnny Marlow