Halsey: Singer, Activist and Mental Health Advocate

Who Is Halsey?

Halsey is an American singer-songwriter, recording artist, and creative whose work spans pop, alternative, and electronic music. Born Ashley Nicolette Frangipane on September 29, 1994, in Edison, New Jersey, she began sharing music on social media platforms before signing with Astralwerks in 2014 [citation:1][citation:7].

For context on the wider culture that shaped her career, our guide to baddie culture provides useful background on female empowerment in entertainment.

Halsey’s Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Halsey grew up in New Jersey and was drawn to music from a young age. She was active on MySpace as a teenager, building an early online following before the era of mainstream social media stardom [citation:17]. She also booked hardcore and metal shows in the New Jersey scene, including a show featuring August Burns Red and The Devil Wears Prada when she was 16 [citation:11].

This early involvement in local music communities gave her experience with promotion and performance before she began releasing her own music. She later drew on these experiences as she developed her artistic identity.

How Halsey Started Her Music Career

Halsey’s professional career began when she uploaded the song “Ghost” to SoundCloud in 2014. The track gained attention and led to her signing with Astralwerks [citation:1][citation:13]. She released her debut EP, Room 93, in October 2014, which served as an introduction to her sound and aesthetic [citation:1].

The EP’s release was accompanied by active social media promotion, helping her build a loyal following before her debut album. This early period established the foundation for her transition from internet artist to major-label recording artist.

Halsey’s Breakthrough With Badlands

Halsey released her debut studio album, Badlands, in August 2015. The album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and was later certified double platinum by the RIAA [citation:1][citation:7].

Badlands was a concept album set in a dystopian wasteland, blending electro-pop and alternative influences. Singles like “New Americana,” “Colors,” and “Gasoline” helped establish her as a distinctive voice in pop music [citation:1][citation:13]. The album’s success demonstrated that an artist could achieve commercial success without a traditional radio hit, powered by streaming and social media engagement [citation:13].

Halsey’s Major Albums and Musical Evolution

Each album represented a distinct creative phase. Hopeless fountain kingdom expanded her pop reach, while Manic offered more personal storytelling. If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power brought a darker, cinematic sound through collaboration with Nine Inch Nails members. The Great Impersonator continued her exploration of rock influences [citation:5][citation:8].

Songs and Collaborations That Defined Halsey’s Career

Several songs and collaborations have been pivotal to Halsey’s career:

• “Closer” with The Chainsmokers (2016): Topped charts in over 10 countries and became one of the most successful songs of the year. It was certified 14 times platinum by the RIAA [citation:7][citation:13].
• “Without Me” (2018): Her first solo No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was named Song of the Year at the 2020 BMI Pop Awards [citation:8][citation:16].
• “Bad at Love” (2017): Reached the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 [citation:7].
• “Eastside” with Benny Blanco and Khalid (2018): Reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 [citation:7].

These songs demonstrated her ability to work across pop, electronic, and collaborative formats while maintaining her distinctive vocal identity.

Halsey as a Songwriter and Artist

Halsey’s songwriting is characterized by personal storytelling, emotional honesty, and a willingness to explore complex themes. Her work has moved across pop, electronic, alternative, and rock influences, reflecting her background in the New Jersey hardcore scene and her interest in genre experimentation [citation:5][citation:11].

She has also published a poetry collection, I Would Leave Me If I Could, and has been recognized with the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Hal David Starlight Award [citation:15][citation:18]. Her visual aesthetics, including concept-driven album imagery and fashion, have been part of her artistic presentation.

Halsey’s Mental Health Journey and Public Advocacy

Halsey has been publicly open about her experiences with mental health, including being diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a teenager [citation:3]. She has discussed her experiences in interviews and through her music, particularly on the album Manic [citation:3][citation:5].

In a 2020 interview, Halsey described her decision to try medication after initially avoiding it out of concern that it might affect her creativity: “It has changed my life” [citation:3]. She has emphasized that she knows when to seek treatment when she feels episodes approaching [citation:3].

Her openness about mental health has been noted by advocacy organizations and fans as a contribution to reducing stigma [citation:3][citation:19]. She has also been involved with suicide prevention and awareness efforts [citation:15].

This section presents only information Halsey has publicly shared. It does not constitute medical advice, and no speculation is made about her current mental state.

Halsey’s Activism and Advocacy

Halsey has used her platform to advocate for several causes. She founded The Black Creators Fund to support Black creators [citation:15]. She has spoken about sexual assault awareness, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and women’s rights [citation:15].

In 2018, she participated in the Women’s March and has continued to engage with social issues through her public statements and actions [citation:15]. She has described activism as “a central element of my identity” and stated that she will continue to use her platform for awareness [citation:15].

In 2025, Halsey participated in a protest at the Venice Film Festival, holding a banner that called for an end to violence in Gaza [citation:10]. This is presented as a factual account of a public action and does not represent an endorsement of any political position.

Halsey’s Creative Work Beyond Music

Beyond music, Halsey has pursued acting, including a role in the 2024 film MaXXXine [citation:15]. She has also published poetry and has been involved in beauty entrepreneurship [citation:11][citation:15].

These projects demonstrate the broader scope of her creative work and her interest in exploring different mediums.

How Personal Experiences Influenced Halsey’s Art

Halsey has publicly connected several personal experiences to her creative work, including mental health, relationships, motherhood, and identity. She has stated that she tries to be open with her fans about what she is experiencing and that “if speaking about these things in my music can help someone feel less alone, I want to continue to do that forever” [citation:15].

The album Manic was described by Halsey as a way to educate listeners about bipolar disorder [citation:3]. If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power drew directly from her experience of pregnancy and motherhood [citation:5].

These are documented artist statements and should be distinguished from editorial interpretation.

Halsey’s Artistic Evolution

Halsey’s career has shown consistent evolution across sound, visual identity, and thematic focus. From the dystopian concept of Badlands to the personal reflection of Manic and the cinematic rock of If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, each album has represented a distinct creative chapter [citation:5][citation:8].

Her public persona has also developed, from early internet artist to established recording artist and advocate. This evolution reflects her willingness to experiment and her commitment to using her platform for purposes beyond entertainment.

Halsey’s Influence and Cultural Presence

Halsey has achieved significant commercial and critical recognition. She has placed 19 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, including two No. 1 singles, and has spent 241 weeks on the Artist 100 chart [citation:16]. She has received three Grammy nominations and multiple Billboard Music Awards [citation:1].

She was included on Time’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020 [citation:1]. Her album The Great Impersonator debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and topped rock and alternative charts [citation:11].

Why Halsey’s Artist Journey Stands Out

Halsey’s career is distinguished by several factors: consistent artistic evolution across genres, personal and emotionally direct songwriting, cross-medium creativity including poetry and acting, and a sustained commitment to public advocacy. Her willingness to discuss difficult subjects, including mental health, has been noted by fans and advocacy organizations [citation:3][citation:19].

This section presents documented characteristics of her career and does not constitute a ranking or evaluation of her work relative to other artists.

Conclusion

Halsey’s career spans more than a decade of artistic development, from early social media releases to chart-topping albums and public advocacy. Her music has moved across pop, alternative, and rock influences, while her songwriting has remained personal and emotionally direct.

Her public discussions of mental health and her activism have been part of her public identity, and she has used her platform to address issues she cares about. As she continues to release music and explore creative projects, her career remains a notable example of artistic evolution and public engagement.