Chloe Bailey Discusses Facing Her Fears in THE EXORCISM

Chloe Bailey in THE EXORCISM

By Shannon McGrew

In THE EXORCISM, Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe stars as Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he's slipping back into his past addictions or if there's something more sinister at play.

For the release of THE EXORCISM, Creepy Kingdom's Shannon McGrew spoke with actor Chloe Bailey ("Swarm"), who plays up-and-coming actor Blake Holloway. During their chat, they discussed everything from Chloe's fear of horror movies to how her experience as an actor/singer influenced her portrayal of Blake and more.

Hi Chloe! Thank you so much for speaking with me today. I recently read that horror movies really scare you. What was your experience like filming THE EXORCISM?

Chloe Bailey: It was surprisingly not bad! However, watching [the movie] is another story. When I did ADR, I asked them to turn off the screams because I was getting scared dubbing over certain scenes [Laughs]. I will definitely be doing this [puts hands over eyes] when I watch the movie in theaters. I did the movie four years ago and conquered it, so I hope I end up scaring some folks.

In the film, you play actor Blake Holloway. As an actor and singer yourself, what were you able to bring from your experience to this role, and were you able to see a lot of yourself in Blake?

Chloe Bailey: Blake is a well-known actress who decided to do this horror film despite everyone telling her that when people do exorcism films, they will get cursed and haunted. But Blake was like, you know what, I got this, I have my big sage stick. She also ends up falling in love while also kicking some ass. I grew up in this business, so I could definitely resonate with Blake when it came to her trying to find her self-identity and who she truly is. I really resonated with that a lot.

(L-R) Ryan Simpkins and Chloe Bailey in THE EXORCISM

THE EXORCISM is a film within a film. Blake's role in that film leads to the character being possessed. How challenging was that?

Chloe Bailey: It was challenging and not challenging at the same time. I was most scared when I had to play the possessed girl in the film within the film. I didn't want to practice it ahead of time. I was like, you know what? I will do it in the moment, right before I film. I looked up a couple of clips online because I wanted to do it justice and pay homage, but also put my own twists to it. Once I had the makeup and they yelled action, it was showtime. I was really into hot yoga then, and I'm a dancer, so I used those skills to contort [to bring the possessed girl to life].

Though the film mostly focuses on the unfolding horror taking place, that doesn't mean there aren't moments of levity, mainly the blossoming romance between Blake and Lee, played by Ryan Simpkins. What was it like working so closely with Ryan on this project?

Chloe Bailey: I love Ryan. We bonded as we were filming and spent Halloween together. I had never had the college experience, and there was a college campus where we were filming, so we went to this college Halloween party. We danced in the rain when it started raining. We were the only ones around the same age on set, so we would always eat lunch together daily and do things like that. They're really dope, and I'm proud of them.

As you said earlier, possession films are known for being cursed and/or having weird things happen on set. Did anything creepy happen while filming?

Chloe Bailey: To be honest, anything dealing with this industry is kind of like that [Laughs]. For me, you'll notice my cross. I love God. I always prayed up, but I was a little nervous, so I brought sage and prayed every day. I was like, you know what? I will be good because I'm covered by the blood of Jesus, so I was protected [Laughs].

THE EXORCISM arrives in theaters on June 21st, 2024.