The Interlude

Chloe x Halle’s slow and steady rise to stardom has been a blessing to witness. Since releasing their second studio album Ungodly Hour last June, the Beyoncé mentees cultivated a greater fanbase by performing new live arrangements and choreography for their latest bops every month for the greater part of a year. Their performances were almost always paired with chic, lavish costuming and entrancing production designs.

Now audiences feast on every scrap of meat the Bailey sisters provide, from stunning selfies to enthralling videos of them dancing. They not only provide content, they out-sing, out-style, and out-perform every single pop performer. The Bailey sisters notably used their home’s tennis court for the majority of their live performances due to the coronavirus. Back in July, Chloe Bailey told The Wall Street Journal that “making the transition to performing at home was natural for us,” adding “it reminded us of our YouTube days.” (Chloe x Halle was discovered by Beyoncé after their cover of “Pretty Hurts” went viral on YouTube in 2011.)

Though the sisters are now an ocean apart (Chloe is in L.A., Halle is filming The Little Mermaid in the U.K.), I decided to commemorate the fabulous time the pair spent together providing fans joy during lockdown. I rewatched all the live performances I could from their Ungodly Hour era to rank them from pretty iconic to most iconic. For the ranking, I considered a few factors, including the live performance’s quality, originality, and choreography. I also took into account each performance’s production design and the pair’s styling since they are known for their aesthetics.

Read on for the rankings of all of Chloe x Halle’s live performances from their Ungodly Hour era, ranked from pretty iconic to most iconic. Trust me, you’ll enjoy them all.

12. “ROYL” — Live at the Global Goal: Unite for Our Future performance*

*Flash warning for this performance.

Chloe x Halle rarely miss, but in their first live performance of Ungodly Hour’s closing track “ROYL,” they struck out. The worst part is that it’s not even entirely their fault. The camera work behind this performance is entirely disorientating, as it seldom stops moving. It doesn’t help that they’re backed by incessant strobe lights. While the duo was attempting to channel their inner rock stars, they came off as trying way too hard — with Halle strumming on an electric guitar and Chloe on her knees at one point. Of course, their vocals were entirely on point, but that’s about the only good thing from this performance.

11. “Do It” — Dear Class of 2020

In a clear lip-sync performance, Chloe x Halle performed their classic simple, but cute “Do It” choreography for the class of 2020. Compared to other “Do It” performances on our list, this one lacks their typical charisma, energy, and cutting-edge style.

10. “Tipsy” Live

There’s nothing necessarily wrong with this performance — it has all the elements that make a signature Chloe x Halle performance. It falls into a formula that works for the sisters, with Chloe holding a microphone and Halle strumming a guitar behind a standing mic. While the performance is abundant in style, it’s lacking in its originality. Their live performance of “Tipsy” doesn’t stray too far from the original track, which makes it a safe play for the pair.

9. “Do It”- Live at the Today show

In one of the first major features of the Bailey family’s infamous tennis court, the sisters’ Today Show performance of “Do It” is infectious. Their vibrant contrasting costumes are modern and complimented well with their “pool” backdrop. The singers perform the choreography quite naturally here, which isn’t always the case.

8. “Do It” — Jimmy Kimmel Live

This 90’s inspired performance is nothing short of fabulous. Not only do the pair look stunning sporting electrifying red leather outfits, but they sound other-worldly in this eerie rendition of “Do It.” The only reason why this performance is ranked so low is because both singers are held back. After all, they’re stuck behind instruments.

7. “Do It” — Live at the GLAAD Awards

Throughout Chloe x Halle’s 2020 live performances, we don’t usually get to see the sisters ham it up with anyone other than each other. In their live performance of “Do It” for the GLAAD Awards, the duo played off the energy of three famous Drag Race alums — Naomi Smalls, Mayhem Miller, and Miss Vanjie. They’re all styled like members of Spice Girls, allowing for each performer to embrace and channel a new character — offering a new kind of fun.

6. “Busy Boy,” “Forgive Me,” and “Do It” — Live at the U.S. Open

Many Chloe x Halle fans are quick to comment on the sisters’ contrasting abilities: Chloe is the sultry powerhouse vocalist, and Halle is the softer, more ethereal vocalist; Chloe is a more natural dancer while Halle is stiffer. In their U.S. Open live performance, Halle truly shines and showcases her versatility as a performer by throwing herself into the choreography and exploring new riffs.

The duo receives extra points for branding their tennis court so well that they were asked to perform for the U.S. Open.

5. “Baby Girl” Live on the Honda Stage at Billboard Women in Music

The singers’ recent performance received a lot of attention for its aesthetics and enchanting camera work. The gorgeous garden set design differs from their usual Ungodly Hour looks, which tend to be futuristic and grunge-inspired. Here, the sisters look like Winx Club Members brought to life with their soft, colorful make-up and pastel purple dresses.

The performance’s ethereal production design and costume design enhance the color and magic found in Chloe x Halle’s captivating runs, riffs, and harmonies.

4. “Do It” — Live at the VMAs

It’s no question that “Do It” makes a frequent appearance in their live performances. After performing Ungodly Hour’s lead single so many times, it’s hard to make the fifth rendition feel new and exciting, but the pair achieve just that in their 2020 VMA Awards performance. The choreography here is electric, and the viewer can tell that the pair is feeding off the production design’s atmosphere. Bright strobe lights enhance the fun performance and allow the duo’s matching silver bodysuits to truly shine.

3. “Forgive Me,” “Do It,” “Busy Boy,” and “Ungodly Hour” — Triller’s Rock the Vote

Chloe x Halle achieved here what they were attempting to do in the Global Goal performance. Decked out in temporary tattoos and adorned in black leather, the singers come alive and appear their most energetic in their Triller performance for Rock The Vote. The pair rock out like never before as they’re backed by a live band — an addition only seen in one other live performance on this list.

2. “Don’t Make It Harder on Me,” “Baby Girl,” “Do It,” “Ungodly Hour,” and “Wonder What She Thinks of Me” — Live at NPR’s Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

Yes, there is such a thing as two pretty best friends sitting in the same room. The duo looks as stylish, cool, and confident as ever in their sweatpants for NPR’s Tiny Desk (Home) Concert. Backed by a nine-person, all-female band, the sisters harmonize effortlessly on four different songs from Ungodly Hour — all while sitting on a table.

1.“Forgive Me” LIVE

Chloe x Halle exhibits a certain texture in their voices that isn’t present in any other performance on this list. This new rendition of “Forgive Me” features a slower, more intense tempo that inspires the duo to belt with unnerving emotion, to the point where Chloe begins to tear up. There’s nothing playful about this performance — they embody pure rock glamour, draped in billowing black gowns embellished with silver studs, eyeing the viewer while singing directly into the camera. It’s everything you’re used to witnessing in a Chloe x Halle performance, and then some.