Chris Brown Announces Project With Ciara Following Backlash From Chloe Bailey Collab

Breezy, 33, announced the news through his Instagram Story on Thursday morning.

Without going into too much detail, Chris wrote, “Me and Ciara got some [fire emojis] coming.”

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We should note that this wouldn’t be the first time these R&B superstars have linked up for a project.

In 2009, Ciara featured Breezy on “Turntables,” which was included on her Fantasy Ride album.

Shortly ahead of this, they also performed together at the 2008 BET Awards.

Additionally, back in late 2022, Ciara shared a video showing her and Chris rockin’ out to some Michael Jackson. This led to speculation that she was set to participate in Brown’s canceled AMAs performance.

Chris Brown and Ciara rehearsing what would’ve been their performance for the Thriller 40th anniversary at #AMAs pic.twitter.com/QSf2i2p6Ar

— BreezyRelated (@breezyrelated) November 21, 2022

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Soon after Chris broke the news, people began chirpin’ away on social media.

The response to the revelation was overwhelmingly positive, and excited reactions swiftly poured in.

WAITTTTT CHRIS AND CIARA COMINGGG pic.twitter.com/TfV5XPepII

— kennyyKEN🤑 (@kennyyKEN) April 13, 2023

Chris and Ciara are coming!!! pic.twitter.com/roNyGOV9Kv

— 🩵♑︎essa🩷 (@NessaOfficial_) April 13, 2023

FINALLY CIARA AND CHRIS BROWN! i’m cryingggggg! 😭😭😭🫶🏾🥰

— bú 🙂 (@eddie_deux) April 13, 2023

Much of the hype centered on the duo’s dance skills.

I been wanting a Chris Brown & Ciara VIDEO all my life !!!! Idec what they’re singing about I just wanna see some FIRE CHOREOGRAPHY with the two😮‍💨

— nunya 🫡 (@_visionarysht) April 13, 2023

Chris Brown and Ciara🔥🔥🔥🔥 can't wait to see the dance moves

— Nigga Nigga (@NiggaNiggam) April 13, 2023

One user felt this project could compensate for Ciara and Chris Brown’s canceled AMAs performance.

Chris Brown & Ciara are about to finally release music together after 17 years AND having their AMA’s performance canceled. I am ready for some EPIC DANCING!!!

— AVON (@MagicHandz) April 13, 2023

However, others called Ciara’s decision to work with Chris  a “misstep.”

Ciara working with Chris is such a misstep (and ass backwards, for many reasons) I’m hoping it’s just for some tribute performance and not new music

— Clifton Sirls (@SoulfulDawg) April 13, 2023

Not after all that woman power shit Ciara be talking about, she bout to collab with Chris brown 😂😂😂 RIP to her IG comments

— maria (@GiveMeACape) April 13, 2023

Critics highlighting the collab as ‘controversial’ are using Ciara’s 2023 track, For Da Girls, to make their point. When she first teased the song in February, much of the reactions centered on the lyrics–encouraging women to be independent while the singer is married to NFL player Russell Wilson.

“The most dangerous woman of all is the one who refuses to rely on your sword to save her because she carries her own.” – R.H. Sin

Powerful. Independent Woman 💪🏽❤️

— Ciara (@ciara) February 15, 2023

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A fair amount of backlash also came as users reflected on the response Chloe Bailey received after announcing “How Does It Feel,” which features Chris.

After Chloe announced this project, critics like Kiely Williams made their opinions loud and clear, as The Shade Room previously reported.

Let him come out with his own record—so genius, so captivating that it makes us all forget HE BEATS WOMEN. He can’t so he wont. So what does he do?

He slowly creeps back into the mainstream by getting small nods for features on Black Women’s merit. Black women who are more… https://t.co/sWtsfGr43S

— Kiely Williams (@Kielyyyyyyyyyyy) February 17, 2023

While Chloe brushed off the criticism by saying that she wants to “let the music speak for itself” and telling haters to “kiss [her] booty,” many questioned why Ciara wasn’t facing similar backlash.

The selective outrage y’all gave Chloe but “can’t wait” for Ciara and Chris that’s wild y’all hate that girl

— Darren (@darren_lamar7) April 13, 2023

So y’all bashed Chloe but praise Ciara for working with Chris Brown? Sheesh pick a side people

— KAE✨ (@ohh__KAE) April 13, 2023

I want everyone who was upset at Chlöe for having a song with Chris Brown to keep the same energy with Ciara. Y’all gonna stop trying to bully that girl for just being herself!!

— ._emurb. (@a_peel_ing) April 13, 2023

In fact, people called the criticism against Chloe “selective outrage” that was “phony.”

People are saying there is selective outrage with chris & female artists he work with . Cause when he worked with Chloe everyone was in the bag but now his working with Ciara everyone is excited. Like I said before y’all don’t like Chloe the way y’all claim y’all do 😭

— Rozaay🌹🇰🇪 (@RozaayLove) April 13, 2023

No fake shea butter Twitter outrage for ciara working with chris brown leave people alone yall sooooo damn phony it's crazy

— shelly♏🔮😏 (@shelly_400) April 13, 2023

One user even deduced that the message was, “Ciara can work with Chris Brown, but Chloe can’t.”

so ciara can work with chris brown but chloe can’t…Got it.

— Daquan Smith 🩵 (@imdaquansmith) April 13, 2023

While acknowledging the past backlash against Chloe, it’s worth noting that Halle Bailey recently issued a lil’ reminder on Twitter!

The 23-year-old began by proclaiming:

“Everyone who knows me knows I go to war for the ones I love, and I’ve kept it real cute on this app for a while now.”

She added, “Just reminding y’all to please keep it cute too.” Heard you, Halle!

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Roomies, what do you think about how R&B fans reacted to this news as opposed to Chloe Bailey’s project with Chris?