Chloe Bailey talks STRUNG, Malcolm D. Lee and her most challenging acting role
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Chloe Bailey built her career at the intersection of music and acting. Raised in Atlanta before moving to Los Angeles, she first gained attention alongside her sister, Halle Bailey, as one half of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle. Their online covers led to a deal with Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment, while the pair later earned five Grammy nominations and expanded their screen work through projects including Grown-ish.
Now working as a solo artist and actress, Bailey takes on a different kind of musical role in STRUNG. She plays Laila, a gifted violinist whose drive to reach the Philharmonic leads her into a polished world where opportunity comes with danger. The character’s relationship with music gave Bailey a personal entry point: she played violin in school and returned to the instrument for the film, training on demanding pieces before shooting began.
In this exclusive interview with Miami Living, Bailey discusses the pressure and uncertainty behind Laila’s ambition, her collaboration with director Malcolm D. Lee, and what she learned from sharing scenes with Lynn Whitfield. She also reflects on choosing roles that challenge the public’s perception of her, as STRUNG arrives after its premiere at the American Black Film Festival in Miami.
Miami Living (ML): What first drew you to the role of the violinist in STRUNG?
Chloe Bailey: What first drew me to the role of the violinist in STRUNG was definitely the passion that Laila had for her artistry. It was something that I could relate to, being a fellow musician. In 5th and 6th grade, I even played the violin in orchestra. So, it was like a piece of me was within the script through Laila, and that’s what excited me. And then of course once I continued on further in the script, and saw how musical instruments were used as weapons, I was hooked.
ML: How did you prepare to portray a character whose passion for music is tied to fear, ambition and uncertainty?
Chloe Bailey: I definitely took inspiration from my life. Any time there have been moments when I knew I had a dream, but I wasn’t sure I’d be able to fulfill that dream, or make it, it’s a very scary feeling. I allowed myself to sit in that space of desperation, the zone Laila was in, because whenever you’re desperate, you tend to overlook the red flags and the red signs. And I feel that’s what eventually gets her into trouble.
ML: The film explores trust, power and emotional instability. What part of that journey was most interesting for you as an actress?
Chloe Bailey: The part of this journey that was most interesting for me as an actress is I was definitely challenged. I really enjoyed my director Malcolm and how we were able to collaborate. And having the legendary Lynn Whitfield as my scene partner was so educational and so liberating at the same time. She made me want to be a better actress, and in our scenes that we had together, I was pushing myself beyond limits and limitations. I was able to get lost in the character as Laila, and at some point it didn’t feel like I was acting anymore.
ML: What was it like working with Malcolm D. Lee on a psychological thriller?
Chloe Bailey: I have always loved Malcolm’s classic films like THE BEST MAN and GIRL’S TRIP and I know he knew how to capture the essence of Black women. What was really exciting was knowing that this was our first psychological thriller together. I loved how he gave me the space and the freedom to find who Laila was, but he also helped guide me towards that in a very free-flowing way. I will admire Malcolm till the end of my days.
ML: Your character enters an elegant but dangerous world. How did you approach showing both her ambition and her vulnerability?
Chloe Bailey: How I approach showing both Laila’s ambition and her vulnerability? You know, that’s how you know when the script is great because I didn’t even have to try. It was written in between the lines. Her vulnerability came through her insecurities and feeling as if she wasn’t good enough to make it into the Philharmonic. Her ambition allowed her to continue practicing every day, even through grieving her younger sister. When she meets this family and realizes that this is a blessing to live in this beautiful home but also get to practice on her skill and have open doors to meeting people in higher places that will get her to where she needs to be for her gift, it really excites her. So I think I just had to approach it from a very real and honest place.
ML: Music is central to this story. How did your own background as a performer help shape your connection to the role?
Chloe Bailey: Being a performer definitely helped shape my connection to Laila. You know, I had a full crash course for a week and a half of all of the pieces that Laila played on the violin. The very first scene that we shot in Cape Town was the dream sequence at the beginning where Laila’s playing the Mendelssohn, and that’s not an easy piece. It’s very, very beautiful and complex. I had a wonderful violin teacher named Stephanie here in LA who helped me nail the fingerings and get everything proper. There was also a lovely woman named Tony in Cape Town who also helped me. I feel like if I wasn’t a musician already, with a production background and an understanding of the concept of music/notes, I don’t think I would’ve been able to accomplish that difficult challenge in a week and a half before filming. I thank God that they chose me as a musician to do it. It was challenging, but I did it, and it looked so good on the screen.
ML: On a personal level, what do you look for now when choosing projects at this stage of your career?
Chloe Bailey: I look for things that excite me. As a fan, what would I want to see, what would I want to watch? Things that would challenge me. What would stretch me as an actress, where people can see what I really can do? What are things and roles that I can take where people won’t look at the screen and see the singer “Chloe Bailey” but see the actress of the character I am playing?
ML: You have grown up in the public eye as both a singer and actress. How do you stay grounded while continuing to evolve creatively?
Chloe Bailey: Yes, I have grown up in the public eye. How I stay grounded? Well, I continue to evolve. I definitely keep a small circle, and I keep my family and loved ones close, because it’s very easy to get lost in this career. You constantly have people filling your head up with praise, or even sometimes negativity. At the end of the day, you have to remind yourself that it’s a job, and not allow it to validate who you are as a human being.
ML: About your visit to Miami for the American Black Film Festival, what does it mean to bring STRUNG to an audience here?
Chloe Bailey: I had the best time at the ABFF Festival, and it meant so much to me to be able to headline the festival and premiere there. It was just so wonderful, the audience was so electrifying and hearing them and their reactions just really was such a surreal feeling and I will never, ever forget that.
ML: Miami has such a strong connection to film, music and culture. Is there anything about the city that inspires you creatively when you visit?
Chloe Bailey: I love Miami. I was recently in Miami just a month ago with Timbaland on something special that we have coming. Being able to go to Miami again to promote and premiere STRUNG, I feel like the universe is trying to tell me something. There might be some special sauce in Miami for me.
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