Praise This is a 2023 American musical comedy film directed by Tina Gordon and starring Chloe Bailey and Anjelika Washington. It was released on April 7, 2023 by the streaming service Peacock. Being Bailey's first starring role in a feature film, she told CNN, "to be able to do it with my love of music and God all combined, it's been pretty cool and I'm so grateful."^[1]

Synopsis

A young woman with dreams of being a superstar joins an underdog Atlanta choir praise team in the lead up to the national competition.

Background

News of Bailey being signed onto the project was reported by Deadline in April 2022.^[2] The official movie trailer premiered on March 6, 2023, depicting "the competitive gospel scene in Atlanta."^[3] Regarding Bailey's relation to her character, she shared to POPSUGAR, "I've never been in a youth choir per se, but in school, I was a part of the actual choir. And from time to time, visiting our grandparents in South Carolina, we would be singing in front of the church, singing our hearts out. It was just so fun bringing my love of music and acting and God together within this space." She continued, "I shy from speaking my mind as openly as she does, but the producer engineer side of us is definitely the same. Sam speaks things into existence that she wants. Any of us as aspiring musicians—we have those Grammy speeches that we tell ourselves in the shower and in the mirrors."^[4] In another interview, she said, "The similarities between Chlöe and Sam are definitely their love for music and how they both write and produce. The difference is that Sam is a little mean. I don't think I'm mean... But sometimes, I just have to learn to take a little bit of Sam's attributes. You know, when people try to try me."

Her co-stars added, "I would ask Chlöe all the time, how did she memorize her long lines. She would come in from a performance from the night before and learn her lines through the night, not sleep, and go straight to set and just do it" (Druski) and "It's so great working with you because you have such an insane work ethic, it's very special. And I don't see that a lot with people our age and so it was really, really nice and refreshing... and also inspiring" (Washington). Director Tina Gordon said of the casting decision, "I wanted a character that was right at that intersection of pushing boundaries but I knew there was this sweet, almost reserved part of her in private. And once I saw that duality of her, that kind of vulnerability of Chlöe Bailey, I knew she could still access the girl that's struggling to become like, [well], a Chlöe Bailey."^[5]

To BuzzFeed, Bailey said of her favorite memory with her co-stars, "There's so many...I just remember us always just laughing so hard, no matter what scene we shot. I loved shooting the Painted Duck arcade scene and I will never forget when we shot "Break Every Chain" at our first competition and broke out in a praise dance at the end. We did that about five times. I remember how tired we were, but it was just so fun each time. I'll never forget that." Concerning her scenes with Druski and Quavo, she said of both:

With Druski, I would have to say when we were cleaning the bowling shoes and the First Lady comes up and I'm like, 'I think she just called me a hoe.' I also loved a part of that same section at the Painted Duck [when] Sam had just finished singing "Who Can I Run To?" and she was so emotional, it was [Druski's character] Big Love who was there to console her. And I just remember just knowing how warm that hug felt and how much filled with love it felt. So Druski, I will always love til the day I die. He's such a genuine spirit.

And my favorite scene with Quavo was the last scene you see us together in, in the movie and the line is just, "Let's keep in touch." And he goes, "Let's keep in, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, touch!" [mimicking the dance from Omarion's "Touch" music video.] That was an adlib and I think that just goes to show how goofy of a person he is.^[6]

On the Today show, she told them, "My connection to Sam is definitely her heart, and how much love and passion she has for her music. You know, she writes, she produces and she's willing to do whatever to make her dreams pop off, and she's so creative."^[7]

Cast

• Chloe Bailey as Sam, a rebellious aspiring singer-songwriter who joins her cousin's praise team when moving to Atlanta
• Anjelika Washington as Jess, Sam's cousin and a member of her church's praise team
• Quavo as Ty, a popular rapper In Atlanta
• Drew "Druski" Desbordes as Aaron "Big Love," Sam's love interest and a member of his church's praise team
• Koryn Hawthorne as Fallon, a gospel singer and opposing member of Sam's praise team
• Tristan Mack Wilds as P.G.
• Kiara Iman Heffner as Jackie
• Ilario Grant as Jermaine
• Birgundi Baker as Melissa, the leader of the praise team
• Loren Lott as Kelly
• Jekalyn Carr as KiKi
• Crystal Renee Hayslett as Natalie
• Cocoa Brown as Cora
• Vanessa Fraction as Prisilla
• Kountry Wayne as Painted Duck DJ

Critical reception

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 50% approval rating from critics based on 10 reviews.^[8] The New York Times wrote, "Some of this can be lightly charming and funny—particularly the chemistry Bailey has with Washington, the funniest and most charismatic star of this show. But things get cringe-worthy as the movie leans on the narrative gimmick that Sam has a God-given ability to turn any trap banger into a gospel tune, eventually leading her to the recording booth of Ty (Quavo), a famous rapper she partners with."^[9] Similarly, Variety noted, "Adds a mostly delightful entry to the musical genre, even if it doesn't offer a unique take."^[10]

The Independent Critic opined, "An abundance of spirit can't overcome the fact that this faithfully formulaic flick shoots low and still manages to miss its target. [...] There's no denying Bailey's a tremendously talented singer and every moment she's singing is worth watching. As her nerdy yet still talented cousin, Anjelika Washington also redeems herself quite nicely here. Drew "Druski" Desbordes has a few moments to truly shine and is charismatic enough to take advantage of his screen time. Others? Not quite as much."^[11] Movie Nation was mixed, "It's so formulaic you can see many of the story's twists coming, with each sequence and trope rigidly marching towards the next pre-ordained highlight." They concluded, "Not really enough amuses or dazzles, and attempts at giving us something emotionally "moving" or religiously inspiring fall well short of the mark. But for a middling-at-best movie, "Praise This" isn't bad, even if it isn't all that praiseworthy."^[12] Screen Rant assessed, "Faith and a coming-of-age story come together in a heartwarming, sometimes funny but underwhelming musical comedy that arrives in time for Easter. [...] It is formulaic, but it's earnestness and impactful narrative will touch many." They lauded Bailey's performance, where "the film's highest points are when Bailey can unleash and show off her dynamic and emotive voice."^[13]

Plot

After Sam was taken to Atlanta, Georgia by her father due to getting in trouble with the law in Los Angeles, she is forced to join the Praise Team as punishment for getting caught lying as going to her Aunt and Uncle.

Gallery

References

v · d · e Chlöe
Awards and nominations Cover art Discography Filmography Live performances Songs
Discography	Studio albums In Pieces Trouble in Paradise EPs Spotify Singles
Filmography	Films The Kids Are Alright Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky Chloe Bailey presented by Fendi Jane The Georgetown Project Praise This TV shows Grown-ish The Kelly Clarkson Show The Disney Holiday Singalong Swarm Podcasts Electric Easy
Related articles	Chloe x Halle Columbia Records Halle Bailey Parkwood Entertainment
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