Chloe Bailey Reveals How Community Helped Her Overcome Depression
"Depression has no face" is a common saying used to describe the mental illness.
The phrase highlights that anyone could suffer from depression, even those who appear outwardly happy and smiling. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 280 million people globally suffer from depression, of which 5% are adults.
Numerous notable figures within the entertainment industry have shared the importance of caring for one's mental health and seeking proper resources like therapy as a way to destigmatize the subject and let fans know they are not alone. Among them is rapper Big Sean, who has openly discussed his own experiences overcoming depression.
Another person who has stepped forward to share their experience is singer and actress Chloe Bailey. In an interview with PopSugar, the 25-year-old recounts the darkest period in her life and how her community of family and friends helped her overcome it.
Chloe On Her Mental Health
In the discussion, Bailey revealed that her mental state took a plunge around the time she was promoting her debut solo album, In Pieces.
The "Treat Me" vocalist shared that her depression stemmed from being hurt by people she trusted and that her close friends and family intervened when they noticed it worsening.
“I was using music as my therapy. I wasn't too honest about my mental state and health at the time to a lot of people. Even when I started doing press for In Pieces, I'd have close friends and family send me clips of interviews being like, ‘I had no idea.’ Usually, that is what happens people see you smiling all the time and it seems as if everything's okay in the world — it isn't, but you're the best at hiding it,” she said.
Bailey also explained that she didn't talk about her struggles sooner because she felt they would be evident in her music.
“And I didn't want to use mental health as a selling point for the album, it wasn't about marketing,” she said. “But I was like, if I'm being so honest in this music and lyrically, you'll be able to hear exactly what I'm going through. I might as well take it one little step further and connect the dots for people who would already be assuming what I was going through, based on the lyrics.”
Further in the conversation, Bailey disclosed that, along with support from her community, her godmother had played a key role in helping her overcome depression.
“Not to sound too dark or to go back to that place, because I'm out of it now, but going through those experiences always feels so lonely and isolating. Without my godmother, I probably wouldn't be here right now. She definitely reminded me of my strength and my beauty as a human and what I can contribute to this world. That's why I stick to her like glue, because at a time when I was so scared to share how I was feeling and what I was going through, she saw it in me and cared enough to help me get out of it,” she said.
Chloe On How Others Can Conquer Depression
Toward the end of the interview, the "Boy Bye” singer encouraged those battling depression to stay present and utilize available resources and shared a quote that helps her through difficult times.
“It's so important to take it day by day. Don't try to think about next week or next month, just make sure you can make it through the day. And don't be afraid to use resources around you, whether it's therapy or a hobby. You don't have to hold the weight of the world on your own,” she said. “Looking back at that time, I'm really, really proud of myself. I'm a Cancer and I'm really sensitive, but when I look back at things that I've pulled myself out of, I realize how strong of a human being that I am. I'm such a strong woman. One of my favorite phrases that my godmom says is, ‘Those stones that people throw at you, use them to build your bridge.’ So that's what I do.”
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How This New Bond Repair Line Transformed One Mother's Postpartum Shedding Into The Ultimate Curl Comeback
This article is in partnership with SheaMoisture
For Crystal Obasanya, her wash day woes came shortly after her son did. The beauty and lifestyle content creator had been natural for years, but during postpartum, she quickly learned about one reality many mothers can relate to experiencing: postpartum hair loss. “Sis had thinning hair. Sis had split ends,” she shared about her hair changes in a Reel via xoNecole.
Over a year into her postpartum journey, Crystal explained she also had dry, brittle hair, noting that keeping it hydrated before pregnancy had already been “a task.” The 4C natural recalled going from thick hair during pregnancy to a thin hairline due to postpartum shedding as “devastating.” When it came to strengthening and revitalizing her hair, the new SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection was just the thing she needed to elevate her damaged coils to revive and thrive status and get them poppin' again.
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This Ultra Moisturizing reparative masque is a moisture-rich game-changer for those dealing with the aftermath of hair damage caused by styling. The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Masque delivers 13 times more moisture compared to non-conditioning shampoos, ensuring your hair feels nourished and soft. Designed to repair and rejuvenate, this masque significantly strengthens damaged hair — making it twice as strong while reducing breakage.
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Elevate your curl game with SheaMoisture’s Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner. Lightweight and hydrating, the Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner provides 12x more moisture than non-conditioning shampoos and tames frizz with 24-hour humidity control. Designed to define curls and coils, the leave-in conditioner enhances softness and shine allowing you to detangle effortlessly.
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'ACross Generations With Tiffany Cross' Gets Real About Daddy Issues In Latest Episode
In this week’s episode of ACross Generations with Tiffany Cross, a podcast where Black women from different generations tackle pressing subjects while sharing their experiences. The show's host, Tiffany Cross, along with guests Dr. Joy Ellington and Ariel B., delved into how their relationships with their fathers have influenced their personal lives.
An absent parent or a strained parent-child relationship, particularly between fathers and their children, can significantly affect an individual's life trajectory, especially their perception and formation of interpersonal relationships.
Research suggests that individuals grappling with paternal absence or conflict may exhibit various traits, including a constant need for validation, difficulty in communicating through problems, using sex to gain attention, and struggles with trust and abandonment, to name a few.
Historically, society has often associated absentee fathers primarily with the Black community. However, a recent study has challenged this narrative.
In a clip shared on the podcast's official Instagram account, Dr. Joy Ellington revealed insights into her quest for approval, a pattern she attributed to her strained relationship with her biological father—a dynamic that remained unresolved until his untimely passing.
"When people are seeking validation from someone else, be it from a father or whoever, you're weakened, she said. "You've given the control of your life to someone else, to their discretion. I can't afford to do that because I only have -- one life."
Despite the complex relationship with her biological father, Dr. Joy Ellington disclosed that she found the love and sense of wholeness she had been missing through her bond with her stepfather.
Further in the video, Ariel B., who was adopted and never met her biological father, reveals her struggle to differentiate between sex and love.
"I know that I struggle separating sex with love very bad," she stated. "I have girlfriends all the time that are just like, 'Oh, knock the dust off!' That sounds terrible. Just use it when you want to."
In response to this admission, Tiffany echoed Ariel B.'s sentiment, suggesting that understanding one's sexual behavior requires examining the underlying intentions.
"I'm actually a little envious. You're not trying to resolve some daddy issues. Like maybe you just have agency over your sexuality, and this is what you like to do,” she said.
Toward the end of the clip, Dr. Joy Ellington revealed that her upbringing in a predominantly male environment, coupled with her experiences with her biological father, has made it challenging for her to express emotions.
"I had a great aunt that had seven sons. I lived my life with them," she said. "It's hard for me to cry. I don't mind. I was never going to be that beggy woman. I don't need you, but I don't let the desire to dictate my feelings."
Discussions on these topics are crucial within the Black community because it allows individuals to uncover their traumas' root causes and begin the healing process.
For those interested in exploring this subject further, the full episode of Across Generations with Tiffany Cross is available now on its official YouTube page.