Halle Bailey — half of the duo Chloe x Halle alongside her older sister — has shared her first official solo single as Halle. “Angel” is an elegant pop ballad that highlights Bailey’s impressive vocal range. The track comes with an impeccably shot visual treatment directed by Wendy Morgan. Watch it above and read a statement from Bailey on the new single below.
This song for me is so very special and near and dear to my heart. With everything I’ve gone through the past 3–4 years, suddenly finding myself in this bubble of all these eyes and new opinions, it was easy for me to feel doubt in myself and who I was. This song for me was my climb out of those feelings, a mantra and promise to myself that the work I’m doing here on earth matters and that I matter. I wanted to be able to embrace and be proud of myself and who I am naturally through and through. I hope other brown and black girls and everyone in general feel embraced, respected, and inspired hearing the words of this song.
“Angel” follows Bailey’s breakout acting role as Ariel in a new remake of The Little Mermaid released in May. (Though this is her official single, she also performed several songs in the movie.) The announcement of her casting in the classic fairytale reprisal’s leading role was met with racist complaints about the perceived “inauthenticity” of a Black mermaid.
As referenced in the above statement, the new song’s lyrics speak to the pride Bailey takes in her Black heritage and her defiance of the bigotry she’s experienced. “Black girl here, Black girl with the Black girl hair,” she sings in the chorus. “Took a little sunkiss just to look like this / God-sent, you’re an angel.”
Later this year, Bailey will appear in Blitz Bazawule’s remake of The Color Purple as a young Nettie Harris. (Ciara will play the character’s older iteration.)
