Viewers streaming Donald Glover’s heavily anticipated stan culture satire Swarm were greeted with an unexpected sight as the show started streaming: pop star Chlöe‘s first-ever sex scene. While the singer has openly flaunted her sexuality in music videos for singles like “Have Mercy” and “Treat Me” (and fielded complaints about it online), this was her first time having simulated sex on camera and she credited scene partner Damson Idris (of Snowfall acclaim) with helping her overcome her initial nerves.
In an interview with Deadline at SXSW earlier this month — which has since resurfaced, for obvious reasons — Chlöe explained why she was nervous to film the scene in the first place, despite her sometimes racy image, and how Idris helped her feel more comfortable during filming.
“As open and liberal as I am about my body, I was very scared because I haven’t had that many partners,” she recalled. I’m not like that—like that sexual and open. Damson made it really comfortable; you know, there were limited people on set. It was a closed set.”
Damson kept things light, which helped her ease into what might otherwise be an embarrassing situation.
“We literally had a bouncy ball in between us, and you know, we were making a joke out of it, so it took all of the nervousness away from that,” she said. “I have to give a lot of kudos to him as a man for making me, as a woman, feel comfortable literally being raw and naked.”
Chloe Bailey on how Damson Idris made her comfortable filming her first love scene in ‘Swarm’ #SXSWpic.twitter.com/jKhKmlTHj4
The singer wasn’t the only one drawing attention during the show’s first season. Billie Eilish received praise for her acting (and smooching), while fans were gagged at a Halsey joke delivered by Paris Jackson. Meanwhile, Chlöe is also booked for some lighter fare onscreen; her gospel-inflected comedy Praise This is due to hit Peacock on April 7 (talk about RANGE). She’s also dropping her debut solo album In Pieces on March 31.
After it premiered at midnight last night (March 17), Swarm has taken over the internet. The new Amazon Prime Video series from Donald Glover and Janine Nabers is notable for a number of reasons, including a recently revealed appearance from Billie Eilish. She’s not the only music star in the show, as Chlöe also has a role, and there’s one scene in particular that is making waves online: the sex scene.
We won’t share it here (it’s easy enough to find, though, either via clips on Twitter or in the actual show), but for about 30 seconds in the first episode’s opening minutes, Chlöe and Damson Idris’ characters (Marissa Jackson and Khalid) have sex with each other as they talk dirty and make sexual noises. Partway through, Khalid notices Dominique Fishback’s character (Andrea “Dre” Greene) watching them from the doorway, but he continues and even flashes her a smile before Dre walks away.
Naturally, the explicit scene has drawn so many reactions on Twitter.
Chloe Bailey getting her back blown out in this new show? hold up lemme go check it out pic.twitter.com/sSV6tls63R
In a recent Deadline interview, Chlöe spoke about filming the scene, saying, “I remember when I first read the script, I was like, ‘Oh, this is insane, this is incredible,’ and I cried, and then I realized, ‘You gotta do that sex scene, girl.’ And as open and liberal as I am with my body, I was very scared because I haven’t had that many partners, I’m not like that… that sexual and open. […] Damson made it really comfortable. You know, there were limited people on set, it was a closed set. We were laughing in between. We literally had a bouncy ball in between us. […] I have to give a lot of kudos to him as a man for making me as a woman feel comfortable being literally raw and naked.”
Chloe Bailey on how Damson Idris made her comfortable filming her first love scene in ‘Swarm’ #SXSWpic.twitter.com/jKhKmlTHj4
Donald Glover’s new seriesSwarm debuted this morning but Chlöe Bailey and Damson Idris have already stirred up the timeline. Within the first five minutes of the first episode of the BeyHive-inspired series, Dre (Dominique Fishback) catches her sister Marissa Jackson (Bailey) and her boyfriend Khalid (Idris) having sex. Chöe previously revealed she filmed a love scene for Swarm. Still, no one thought it would be this early in the series.
It didn’t take long for Twitter to come through with its takes. “Damson Idris is shooting such scenes with Chloe Bailey and going home to Lori Harvey ??” one person wrote. Others wondered why people made a huge deal out of it. “y’all were doing a lot last night over chloe sex scene in swarm… like it was never that serious it’s called acting and it took a lot for her to even do the scene,” the user wrote.
Chlöe Says Damson Made Her Feel “Comfortable” During Shoot
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 14: (L-R) Dominique Fishback, Donald Glover, Chloe Bailey, Janine Nabers, and Damson Idris attend the “Swarm” Red Carpet Premiere and Screening in Los Angeles at Lighthouse Artspace LA on March 14, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for Prime Video)
Though Chlöe is no stranger to film and television, Swarm marked the first time she filmed a love scene. During an interview with Deadline, Bailey explained that the script left her in awe when she first read it. However, she realized only afterward that she needed to film an intimate scene with Idris’ character. “I first read the script, I was like, ‘Oh, this is insane, this is incredible,’ and I cried, and then I realized, you gotta do that sex scene, girl,’” she said.
Chlöe was frightened to shoot with Damson, though he ensured that she felt as comfortable as possible on set. “As open and liberal as I am about my body, I was very scared because I haven’t had that many partners,” Bailey explained. “I’m not like that—like that sexual and open. Damson made it really comfortable; you know, there were limited people on set. It was a closed set.” Check out the reactions below.
y’all were doing a lot last night over chloe sex scene in swarm… like it was never that serious it’s called acting and it took a lot for her to even do the scene. pic.twitter.com/6WimpaZoOi
— i be like… DO IT 4 MY BABY! (@SUCKAW0RLD) March 17, 2023
Lori Harvey and Damson Idris are finally showing off their love after several months, with speculations and rumours flying around about their romance. In December 2022, the pair were spotted on multiple outings following Harvey’s split from Michael B. Jordan. One month later, the model took to her Instagram to make her new relationship status public with a slide of photos from her 26th birthday, which she captioned.
“If you missed it, I hate that for you .”
The 31-year-old Snowfall actor also celebrated the model in a sweet Instagram post.
“Happy Birthday Nunu,” Damson wrote. He also posted photos to celebrate the model on her birthday. One picture showed them snuggled up on a sofa as he planted a lovely kiss on her cheek. In the second photograph, Harvey could be seen cheerfully showing off a large pile of cash.
This is coming after Lori Harvey made headlines for her breakup with Michael B. Jordan, followed by her rumoured romance with the snowfall actor. Lori Harvey and the Creed actor, Michael B. Jordan, started dating in 2020 and made their relationship public in January 2021. Us Weekly confirmed in June 2022 that Harvey and the Marvel actor called it quits after a year and a half of dating.
In a chat with CBS Mornings’ Gayle King, The Creed III star opened up on the breakup. “I think for me it’s just, I was lucky enough to have a lot of work. I’m a firm believer in ‘what’s for you is for you,’ and coming out of that situation—not to give it, you know, any energy and kind of move from that—is, you know, it was an experience for me to grow and learn,” Jordan revealed.
Damson Idris Says The Hype Around his relationship will soon die down
Reports of the two being a couple drove social media into a frenzy, leading to speculation about their relationship.
It is not surprising that the media may affect their relationship. However, in a recent chat with “Rolling Stone,” Idris discussed how he manages his celebrity status while maintaining his personal life.
During the interview, Idris was asked how he navigates his public relationship.
“You stay at home and hide in the cave,” he joked.
“No, I think my advice to anyone who walks down that path is to just keep it as regular and normal as possible and really, really connect to each other and not the outside forces around.” The 31-year-old responded.
Idris is confident that the buzz concerning his relationship with Harvey will soon fade.
“It’s the topic of gossip, and the blogs want to talk about that over the work. I see that a lot. But they’ll get over it soon enough,” he explained. “And in a couple days someone else will be dating, and then they’ll leave me alone.” He told Rolling Stone.
Lori Harvey and Damson Idris Seal Their Red Carpet Debut With a Kiss
Since making their romance public in January 2023, the two have been spotted going on outings, but they never made their red carpet debut until February 2023. On the 15th of February, Lori and Damson Idris made their first public appearance as a couple at the red carpet premiere of the last season of Snowfall in Los Angeles. Lori stunned in an off-the-shoulder black gown as she happily posed for photos with Damson, who stars as Franklin Saint on the FX series. Damson was right beside her—dressed in a dapper navy blue suit—leaned over and sweetly kissed the model on the head.
Lori Harvey’s dating life is always under a microscope. Although they looked happy and in love at the Los Angeles premiere of Snowfall’s final season, critics were quick to imply that the couple had no chemistry.
In the comment sessions, a social media user wrote, “No chemistry. Look how far apart they’re standing lol”.
Miss Harvey was quick to shut down the haters. Responding to the critic, Lori Harvey wrote, “or maybe I just had on body makeup and told him don’t stand too close to me because I didn’t want to get it on his suit. lol y’all try to find a problem with everything.”
Lori opened up to her friend Teyana Taylor on an episode of Bumble’s Luv2SeeIt, Harvey reflected on almost getting married at such a young age and what her red flag and green flags were in a relationship.
On her green flags, the beauty entrepreneur said.
“I would say just like transparency and openness, communication. Not trying to beat around the bush or act like you want something that you maybe really don’t”.
She went future to comment on her red flag saying.
“If you’re too close to your exes, that’s a red flag. I’m very much in a space right now where I’m not doing anything that’s gonna compromise my peace and happiness, so I think just taking control, making sure you maintain your power, don’t give your power away to anybody… is the key to truly being happy in or out of a relationship”.
The model has been in the middle of several high-profile relationships with Trey Songz, Future and Michael B. Jordan.
Michael and Lori had been in a relationship for over 12 months. But, neither has been open about what caused the split.
Although rumours are swirling around the model and the stepdaughter of television host and comedian Steve Harvey, Lori allegedly makes her prospective lover sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with a stiff penalty of $1 million. Michael B. Jordan addressed their split in a funny SNL monologue.
“I just directed my very first movie, Creed 3. Right after that, I went through my very first public breakup,” Michael B. Jordan said.
“Now, most people after a breakup are like, ‘I’m going to get in better shape.’ But I was already in Creed shape! So, I had to be like, ‘Alright, I guess I’ll learn a new language.’ Anyway, estoy en Raya,” he continued.
Regarding the photos that were taken of him at a basketball game after the breakup, Michael explained, “After the breakup, everybody thought I was so heartbroken because when the news came out, I was at a basketball game, and they caught me looking like this.”
“Look, I was just chillin’ — but the internet decided that was me being sad. Luckily for me, if you Google ‘sad Michael Jordan,’ the first 8,000 results are [of the basketball player].” He added.
The things that go on behind the scenes in the industry make for interesting stories, and Damson Idris shares a tale about John Singleton. The praised filmmaker passed away in 2019, and his creative efforts continue to be imprinted in the minds of millions of fans. He gave us movies like Baby Boy, Boyz n The Hood, Poetic Justice, and more. Singleton was also responsible for giving the world Snowfall, the series that stars Idris. The actor recently visited Drew Barrymore’s talk show and shared the story of Singleton dropping him off in South Central, Los Angeles, to work on his accent.
“By audition No. 8, Singleton took me to South Central, opened the car door, and said, ‘If you survive, you’ve got the role,” the British actor said with a laugh. “And it really was an experience. I was walking around South Central, I had to stay in character. So, I wasn’t allowed to be British. And I said to his mother, ‘Oh, how lovely your hair looks today. I’m just gonna go, and you know, put this in a bin.’ And she goes, ‘John! He ain’t from here, huh?!”
Damson Idris Jokes About Friendship With Beyoncé & Jay-Z
Director and Producer John Singleton and actor Damson Idris (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Idris joked that he “nearly lost the part.” The actor added, “Hey, six seasons later. Here we are.” Barrymore enjoyed the story, but she quickly moved on to rumors that Damson is friends with Jay-Z and Beyoncé. “I’ve been around them many times,” he answered. Drew called Hov almost “paternal” in how he deals with people. Idris responded, “Yeah, I’ll be in Miami,m it’s late. I’ll call them up, and I’ll be like, ‘Hey, I can’t get reservations at Carbone.’” He couldn’t help but laugh before giving his best Jay-Z impression.
Idris claims the Roc Nation mogul told him to win a few more Emmys before having that clout. It was all in good fun, and the actor called Bey and Jay “the sweetest.” He said, “We connected in many ways, but the Super Bowl was really great because it was kind of the first time I really connected with B. I had just walked for Prada… Such a huge moment for me.”
More Laughs During The Interview
Snowfall is coming to an end with its final season, and Damson Idris’s fans await more from the actor. Off-screen, his relationship with Lori Harvey is heating up. Check out Damson Idris on The Drew Barrymore Show above.
They’re easing into being more comfortable sharing their relationship with the world, and fans can’t get enough of Damson Idris and Lori Harvey. After months of speculations about their relationship, the pair recently emerged with loving posts. We haven’t seen Idris tied to anyone, at least not publicly, but Harvey’s past has been detailed for years. The stepdaughter of Steve Harvey has developed a socialite reputation, often seen partying or on the arms of Hollywood’s elite. Last summer, her hot and heavy romance with Michael B. Jordan came to an end, but that followed a string of reported love affairs.
Harvey has been tied to Sean “Diddy” Combs, Future, and Trey Songz, and she was even engaged to soccer star Memphis Depay. Her romances have caused her to be a fixture in conversations about dating in the industry, but the public has become enamored with Harvey and Idris’s connection. Recently, the pair appeared in a brief TikTok video from Cuts & Slices NYC, a pizza joint in the Big Apple. Idris was the main focus, but Harvey could be seen standing nearby.
Damson Idris Chows Down On Oxtail Pizza
US model Lori Harvey (R) and British actor Damson Idris attend the premiere for the final season of “Snowfall” at The Ted Mann Theater in Los Angeles, California, on February 15, 2023. (Photo by Michael Tran / AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images)
The couple stopped by the Brooklyn eatery, and it looked as if it was the Snowfall actor’s first time. He was filmed holding a slice of pizza loaded with toppings, forcing Idris to figure out how to hold it. As soon as he took the first bite, the actor made a production out of his reaction. This elicited laughs from his team and his girlfriend. The person filming explained that the slice was “sweet chili oxtail,” and Idris was clearly impressed. “Crazy! Make the trip.” Harvey simply laughed.
It’s unclear why the pair were in the city, but they’ve been enjoying their coast-to-coast lifestyle. The British actor seemingly went all out last month for Valentine’s Day, although they kept it a secret where they were celebrating. The couple shared a video of their private dinner, encircled by roses and candles. Additionally, Idris has addressed the controversy surrounding his relationship and why he desires to keep things private.
“I think my advice to anyone who walks down that path is to just keep it as regular and normal as possible and really, really connect to each other and not the outside forces around,” said the actor.
He added, “It’s just watching other people that I admire do it so greatly and just understanding that you don’t always have to show the world your personal life. What you do for a living is an extension of yourself, and that’s your baby. And you need to protect that. You also need to protect your personal self too.”
Damson Idris is perhaps best known for his work on FX’s Snowfall, though he’s been hard at work on plenty of other projects as well lately. Among them is his budding romantic relationship with Lori Harvey, as well as Donald Glover’s Swarm. In the latter, the English actor reportedly appears in just one episode as a love interest to Chloe Bailey, who’s a series regular. She recently revealed that he was able to make her first experience filming a love scene much less awkward, and they even laughed together while a bouncy ball separated their bodies away from the cameras.
With the recent premiere of Snowfall‘s sixth season, as well as the upcoming Amazon Prime Video release, it was the perfect time for Idris to make an appearance on The Tonight Show and catch Jimmy Fallon up on his life. During their chat, the 31-year-old revealed what his mother thinks of his career, sharing that she sometimes has trouble separating his antics on-screen from his real life. “I’m Nigerian, right?” he told the audience last week.
“So my mum, she didn’t know that this wasn’t real. She thought everything was real, right? The first time I had an on-screen kiss she was like, ‘Ah ah! Damsy! How can you cheat on your girlfriend? In front of your family!’” Idris animatedly recalled to Fallon. “So then, I get Franklin Saint, right? He’s obviously a drug dealer. She’s like, ‘Ah ah! So now you are selling cocaine?! In front of the whole world!”
The story elicited plenty of laughter from not only the late-night host but also the audience. Afterward, Fallon brought out a photo of Idris with his mother and other family members at the Snowfall season six premiere, proving she’s obviously embraced his drug-dealing ways. See the heartwarming image for yourself below, and check back later for more pop culture and hip-hop news updates.
He’s a Family Man
Damson Idris (4th from L) and guests attend the Red Carpet Premiere Event for the Sixth and Final Season of FX’s “Snowfall” at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Ted Mann Theater on February 15, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)
Physical intimacy is one of the most vulnerable things two humans can share. Having to perform it (or at least fake it) in front of a camera crew and Hollywood executives adds all the more pressure. Recently, Chloe Bailey experienced this for the first time on the set of Donald Glover’s Swarm series. Thankfully, she had a great partner – British actor Damson Idris – to help her through the terrifying scene.
Ahead of the series premiere, the R&B artist and other members of the cast spoke with Deadline. “When I first read the script I was like, ‘Oh, this is insane,’” Bailey recalled. “‘This is incredible.’ I cried, and then I realized, ‘You gotta do that sex scene girl.’” She’s relatively open and liberal with her body (as her regular Instagram thirst traps can attest). Still, her lack of past sexual partners apparently made filming all the more nerve-wracking.
“I was very scared because I haven’t had that many partners,” the “Treat Me” songstress told Deadline. “I’m not like that, that sexual and open. Damson made it very comfortable, you know, there were limited people on set,” she added. According to Bailey, she and Idris even shared a few laughs between takes. They also kept a bouncy ball between their bodies. “We were making a joke out of it,” she said, noting that her co-stars’ good vibes wiped away her nervousness.
“I have to give a lot of kudos to him as a man for making me as a woman feel comfortable literally being raw and naked,” the 24-year-old praised Lori Harvey’s boyfriend. Other famous faces set to appear on screen include Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris, as Hailey, and Dominique Fishback in the leading role of Dre. The trailer for Swarm arrived last month, and already, audiences can’t wait to see what Glover’s next project will bring.
Donald Glover’s Swarm
The highly anticipated series officially premiered at SXSW this past Friday (March 10), and will arrive on Amazon Prime Video next week, on March 17. It tells the story of, “a young woman whose obsession with a pop star takes a dark turn.” Check out the teaser above. Afterward, let us know if you’ll be tuning in to catch Chloe Bailey’s performance in the comments.
He posed in her Savage X Fenty show, but Damson Idris first met Rihanna years ago. The Snowfall actor has been climbing Hollywood’s ranks and is slated as the next British actor to take over. He’s been commanding attention on and off-screen, especially since he and girlfriend Lori Harvey went public. Before the pair became Instagram Official, Idris was another single young star in Hollywood looking for romance. In a sit down with Elle, Idris recalled once running into Rihanna and attempting to sweep the Fenty mogul off her feet.
The actor was asked to detail the first time he worked with Ri. Instead, he decided to share the tale of their introduction. “It was at a party that I’m probably never going to be invited to after I tell this story,” Idris joked. “She was at the bar. And I was like, ‘This is my moment.’ And I walked up to the bar with my best James Bond impersonation. ‘Hi, I’m Damson, I’m Damson Idris. Lovely to meet you. You look fantastic today.’”
Rihanna Shoots Him Down
SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 09: In this image released on November 9, Damson Idris attends Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 presented by Prime Video in Simi Valley, California; and broadcast on November 9, 2022. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Imagesfor Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 presented by Prime Video)
He thought he was giving his most sophisticated approach, and while Rihanna was polite, she wasn’t as responsive as Idris hoped. “And then she was kind of giving me one-worded answers. Like, get out of here, you freak. And then I said, ‘How come, as I’m speaking to you, it’s like you think I’m up to something?’ And she was like, ‘Because you are.’ Yeah.”
He can laugh about it all now, but then, Damson was quite embarrassed. However, it didn’t keep him from eventually working with the superstar singer. Rihanna must not have been too put off by Idris’s failed attempt at flirting because she and her team eventually hired him. “Fast forward. Savage Fenty. Love you, Rihanna. Full-circle moment.”
These days, Idris isnn’t worried about any woman other than Lori Harvey. For months, there were rumors that these two were privately dating. They emerged on Instagram to reveal their romance, and they’ve been slowly sharing more of their relationship with the world. For Valentine’s Day, the happy couple enjoyed a candlelit dinner surrounded by red roses. They uploaded a video of their special moment while kissing and cuddling for the camera. Watch Damson Idris share his Rihanna tale above.
(@CheckDownChris) 
.”
