Lizzo is coming to Chlöe Bailey's defense after the R&B singer faced backlash over her new Christmas single, “Mrs. Claus Don't Have 2 Know,” which has sparked debate over its sexually suggestive lyrics and holiday theme.
On Sunday (November 8), Lizzo took to X to praise Bailey's creativity and encourage her to continue making music despite the criticism surrounding her latest release.
“Chloë Bailey is giving us exactly what we need,” Lizzo wrote. “She has endless artistic talent and is a lightning rod for our attention.”
The “About Damn Time” singer went on to compare Bailey's ability to command attention to that of major stars across generations, expressing hope that she continues building a lasting musical legacy.
Chlöe Bailey Faces Criticism Over “Mrs. Claus Don't Have 2 Know”
The support comes just two days after Bailey released her new holiday single on November 6, putting an adult twist on traditional Christmas music.
Rather than delivering a conventional festive love song, the track revolves around a secret romantic encounter with Santa Claus behind Mrs. Claus' back.
Its suggestive lyrics quickly divided listeners, with some questioning why Bailey chose to incorporate sexual themes into a holiday song traditionally associated with family-friendly celebrations.
Others defended the singer, arguing that the record was intended to be playful and that the backlash was excessive.
The controversy even reached daytime television before the song's release. During a November 3 episode of Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones reacted to the track's title, joking about Santa potentially cheating on Mrs. Claus.
Despite the criticism, Bailey's song reached No. 3 on the U.S. iTunes Top Holiday Songs chart on its release day, according to a ranking she shared on social media.
Lizzo Praises Chlöe Bailey as Fans Debate Her Musical Direction
While Lizzo didn't specifically address the lyrics of Bailey's Christmas single, her public support arrived as the singer faced renewed scrutiny over her artistic choices.
Bailey has encountered similar criticism throughout her solo career, particularly since branching out from Chloe x Halle and embracing a more mature musical image.
Her 2021 solo debut, “Have Mercy,” generated comparable conversations about her performances and public persona.
The latest debate has once again divided fans between those who believe Bailey should experiment freely with her sound and those who feel her musical direction doesn't fully showcase her vocal abilities.
Lizzo's message, however, focused on encouraging Bailey to continue creating rather than changing her approach to satisfy critics.
Lizzo and Chlöe Bailey Have Supported Each Other for Years
Lizzo's latest comments are far from the first time the two artists have publicly supported one another.
Back in August 2021, Bailey defended Lizzo after the singer became emotional while discussing online criticism following the release of her Cardi B collaboration, “Rumors.”
Bailey encouraged Lizzo to remain confident in her voice and thanked her for being an inspiration.
Their relationship later extended into business. In 2023, Bailey partnered with Lizzo's shapewear brand, YITTY, becoming the face of its Nearly Naked campaign after reaching out to praise the company's products.
Meanwhile, Bailey has continued expanding her solo catalog, releasing the joint mixtape Resurrection with Timbaland in June 2026 and appearing on Victoria Monét's “Frequency of Love.”