She is one of the most wonderful musicians that the industry has produced. Halsey is more than just a name in the music industry today. She represents power in the lives of her fans. It’s a narrative, a movement, and for many, a lifeline. A total package for her diehard fans. Born Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, she rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most celebrated and enigmatic artists of our time. She is no ordinary today. Ashley Nicolette Frangipane (widely recognised by her stage name Halsey) has become a cultural icon, celebrated for her profound artistry, eclectic style and social activism. Halsey's music has managed to touch lives and surpass borders. She is a luminary in modern music. Her musical talent is very unique. Blending deeply personal storytelling with a distinctive sonic identity, Halsey has carved out a unique niche in the alternative, pop and indie music worlds. She has gained global recognition as a woman of many talents. As a multifaceted talent, Halsey has captured global audiences with her emotionally charged music, distinct persona and raw lyrics that seamlessly blends vulnerability with empowerment. A musical powerhouse indeed.
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Real name - Ashley Nicolette Frangipane
Screen name - Halsey
Born - September 29, 1994
Height - 5 foot 4 inches (5'4")
Status - Engaged to Avan Jogia
Parents - Chris Frangipane (father) and Nicole Frangipane (mother)
Siblings - Dante and Sevian (younger brothers)
Career highlight - Music artist
Her music feels like a confessional. The thing touches your inner being. It is achingly human, deeply poetic and unapologetically raw. It's a mix that only highly skilled musicians can come up with. Halsey has built her empire not just on chart-topping hits but on activism, vulnerability and an unrelenting drive to give a voice to the voiceless. Her job, it seems, to get to the emotions of listeners. More than just a singer-songwriter, she is a poet, activist and an entrepreneur who has used her platform to address critical social issues and inspire millions worldwide. It is valuable to know about her.
This comprehensive exploration of Halsey’s life and career delves into the intricate facets that has redefined the pop and alternative music landscape. We will see what defines her from her musical evolution to her activism and artistic ventures. We'll explore the intricate tapestry of Halsey’s life, career and influence which is one woven with fearless pursuit of authenticity, pain and passion.
Table of contents
A prologue of resilience – Roots, struggles and the early life of Halsey
Born on September 29th of the year 1994 in Edison, New Jersey (USA), Ashley Nicolette Frangipane grew up in a mixed-race family. Meaning, both her parents were from different countries. Her father is African-American with some Irish ancestry and her mother is of Italian-Hungarian descent. It was a modest family. They were a working-class household. Being middle-class Americans, they had a simple life. Her father Chris Frangipane managed car dealerships while her mother Nicole worked as an emergency medical technician. Such ethnicity came as a blessing for her. Being biracial and of African-American and Italian-Hungarian-Irish descent, Halsey’s multicultural upbringing became a vital influence on her identity and music. She was able to resource from both her parental culture. Her life shaped by a juxtaposition of two worlds. In a way, that gave her a lot of insight into life.
Her childhood was marked by constant relocation due to her parents’ work which made her adept at adapting to new environments. Their jobs meant that the family travelled around a lot. This rich cultural heritage has often informed her artistry in adding depth to her narratives. She was absorbing the culture from wherever they kept relocating. From an early age, Halsey exhibited a creative streak by mastering multiple musical instruments including the acoustic guitar, cello, violin and viola. Her interests in music was significant part of her life. The Frangipane household was often a whirlwind of sound. There was always music in the house. Her parents’ love for music exposed her to an eclectic mix of influences. She was given great exposure to African, American and European cultures because of it. Influenced by her parents’ elaborate music taste, Halsey grew up listening to Alanis Morissette, Nirvana, Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. That spanned across different genres of music.
But life wasn’t always harmonious. She had to suffer challenges. Despite her talents, her teenage years were fraught with difficulties. Some of it came from hereditary causes. Her mother had bipolar disorder which passed onto Halsy. Bipolar disorder is a mental condition where the victims have extreme mood swings induced by the disorder. This diagnosis profoundly impacted her by both artistically and personally. She had constant problems focusing on something or someone. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 17, she experienced significant challenges including financial instability and struggles with mental health. It is not easy for bipolar disorder patients to gel with the common crowd. Additionally, financial struggles led to periods of instability, including a brief stint of homelessness. Yes, that's right. These early hardships became the foundation of her songwriting which often centres on themes of pain, resilience and self-discovery. Difficult times make people discover hope and positivity than those who never suffered.
Her teenage years were fraught with emotional turbulence. Given that, teenage years are times of confusion, it only worsened her life. These experiences would later become central themes in her music and kept resonating with fans facing similar battles. Some of the listeners who became her fans were also suffering her conditions. Yet, as she has often said “rock bottom became the foundation for everything I built”. What an incredible way to look at difficulties! The name ‘Halsey’ is a carefully chosen moniker with dual significance. She blended the two into something creative. It is an anagram of ‘Ashley’ and it references Halsey Street in Brooklyn where she spent formative years. It represented her years of struggle and the overcoming of odds. The name symbolises both a homage to her roots and reinvention. Halsey soon became a catchy moniker. This dual significance reflects her knack for infusing personal elements into her work. It made her become unique. More than just a stage name, Halsey represents a metamorphosis…a shedding of old skin to reveal an unapologetic self. Any one of us could go through what she went through in life.
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| Halsey Station, Halsey street (Brooklyn) |
From SoundCloud to stardom – Halsey’s breakthrough of a meteoric rise
Halsey’s career began humbly when she uploaded a self-penned song called ‘Ghost’ to SoundCloud in the year 2014. She poured her soul into it. The track which explored themes of betrayal and love, went viral and quickly catching the attention of major labels. It was a hit already and they had to cash in on the artist. The track’s raw haunting quality quickly gained traction which got her signing up with Astralwerks (an electronic and dance music label). Her musical journey had officially begun. That same year, she released her debut EP ‘Room 93’ which showcased her ability to blend electronic sounds, indie and pop while delivering deeply personal lyrics. Such kind of music was special for that time. It introduced listeners to her unique blend of dreamy pop and introspective lyrics. The music audience was beginning to take notice of the newbie.
Room 93 wasn’t just an introduction but it also was an invitation into Halsey’s world. It took you into her life and showed you the story. EP’s concept (a collection of stories unfolding in hotel rooms) set the stage for her distinctive narrative style. The concept was different to the stereotypes. It demonstrated her ability to transform the mundane into the magical. It wasn't easy which made it appealing. Critics took notice of her fresh voice, one that blended millennial angst with poetic finesse. They had very little to critic the new talent anyway.
In the year 2015, Halsey’s first studio album called ‘Badlands’ cemented her place in the music industry. It was a great hit upon release. Described as a dystopian narrative, the album reflects her emotional state and experiences as a young woman navigating fame and identity. It especially spoke to the ladies of similar age bracket. The album debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 and was earning multiple platinum certifications. That was a huge success for a new star on the horizon. It was greatly lauded for it’s dystopian themes and introspective storytelling. It had incredible songs. Tracks like ‘Colors’ and ‘New Americana’ became anthems for millennials. You have to listen to them, I suggest. It touched on issues like identity, self-expression and societal expectations. They are issues that affect all of us at some point or the other. It showcased her ability to address societal norms while maintaining a deeply personal lens. This is was needed for the world in and around 2015. With over one billion streams globally, Badlands established Halsey as a force to be reckoned with. That was a great achievement for a recently launched singer. Halsey had her first taste of global fame. Now, there was no obstacles in her to greater success and all she had to do, was keep delivering to her fans.
From pop-queen to genre-bending innovator – Artistic evolution | Expanding Horizons | Reinvention
Halsey’s subsequent albums reflect her evolution as an artist and a person. She began producing newer and powerful music. In the year 2017, she released ‘Hopeless Fountain Kingdom’ which was a concept album inspired by William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’. So, of course, it involved romance. It explored themes of doomed love and self-destruction. It had our inner conditions during such phases. Featuring collaborations with artists like Lauren Jauregui and Quavo, the album delved into themes of betrayal, love and self-discovery. As unique as it was, it became a hit.
Hits like ‘Bad at Love’ and ‘Now or Never’ dominated the airwaves which further established her as a pop powerhouse. These songs were everywhere for some time. They became chart-toppers from blending indie, pop and R&B influences. They instantly became fire. The album was accompanied by a series of visually stunning music videos that enhanced Halsey’s reputation as an artist with a keen eye for aesthetics and storytelling. Of course then, she was going to do concerts because of her growing popularity. Her live performances during this era were praised for their theatricality and it added a new dimension to her artistry. Nobody else was doing all these creative acts. From it’s intricate storytelling to it's genre-defying production, Halsey proved she was more than a pop star; she was a visionary. The changing times called for something new and Halsey came as the messiah.
A portrait of catharsis and chaos | Raw unfiltered mmotion – Manic (2020)
Unlike her concept-driven albums, ‘Manic’ was a deeply personal exploration of Halsey’s psyche. Her life was portrayed as an open book via the album. Yes, it was arguably her most personal work. Comparitively, no other album was that close. Described by Halsey as a reflection of her “fractured self”, Manic was an unfiltered look into her own psyche. She put into it her emotions and mental state during the times she was battling life. Unlike it’s predecessors, it lacked a central theme. However, it touched on many key topics of our life. It embodied the chaotic fragmented nature of the human mind. It addressed how life was challenging and that people are prone to depressions and sadness. Eschewing a central theme, the album mirrored the unpredictable nature of human emotions. One is really not in control of oneself sometimes, isn't it?
Tracks like ‘Without Me’ (her first solo number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100) and ‘Graveyard’ detailed her struggles with heartbreak, identity, mental health, resilience and self-worth. She was revealing how vulnerable she felt in those pressing times. The album featured collaborations with artists as diverse as Alanis Morissette, BTS and Dominic Fike. It gave her albums the push that was needed. This showcased her ability to transcend genres. Remember, she was growing up listening to Morissette and now she was collabing with her icon. How incredible!
What made Manic extraordinary wasn’t just it’s lyrical honesty but also it's sonic diversity. It was crossing genres which was an interesting production. Critics and fans alike praised it’s honesty by calling it her most authentic work yet. Not only that, it was creative work and rarely seen in the industry. She was successful in making the album a kaleidoscope of sentiment and sound. We have to laud her hard work for this.
A rock opera – If I can’t have love, I want wower (2021)
Motherhood transformed Halsey and her 4th album titled ‘If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power’ captured this metamorphosis. She was able to produce another beautiful work through the album. Halsey ventured into alternative rock and collaborated with Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. Together, Halsey put out another incredibly album. The album delved into themes of identity and motherhood. She was able to narrate her new life in the best poetic manner now. It was also about the female experience inspired by her journey into parenthood and her pregnancy. These are important themes for ladies in their lives. It revealed a fierce unyielding Halsey while tracks like ‘Darling’ showcased her softer maternal side. It touched people with soft sides. Tracks like ‘Easier than Lying’ and ‘I am not a woman, I’m a god’ showcased her vocal range and willingness to experiment. All these songs became hits as usual.
Accompanied by an IMAX film of the same name, the album was both a sonic and visual spectacle. Yes, that is what she engaged in the music video. The accompanying IMAX film which is a darkly romantic visual masterpiece further solidified her status as a boundary-pushing artist. She was enhancing her creativity in music. Halsey’s 2021 album took a bold departure into alternative rock by exploring themes of femininity, the human condition and motherhood. What a powerful journey!
Beyond the music – Halsey as an activist, innovator and a visionary
Halsey’s influence extends far beyond her music. The musician not only creates humane music but also enacts her humanity in real life. She is a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, LGBTQ+ rights and racial justice. These are really concerning matters lately. Openly bisexual, she has been a prominent figure in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality. She advocates equality among all sorts of people in the society. Her biracial identity has also made her a passionate supporter of movements like Black Lives Matter. They are a community of people sometimes under oppression, profiling and police brutality even in modern times. Halsey has consistently leveraged her fame for activism, addressing social issues such as mental health, racial inequality and LGBTQ+ rights along with peers who are just as vocal.
In the year 2020, during the height of the George Floyd protests, Halsey was on the frontlines routinely documenting police brutality and using her platform to amplify marginalised voices. She made sure that whatever she was documenting reached the masses. Her commitment to activism has earned her widespread respect and raised her status as a role model for her millions of fans. They look up to her as someone with concern for other fellow humans and social matters. Halsey’s influence extends far beyond her discography. The lady is really out there for matters that are important. She has used her platform to advocate for the following causes close to her heart.
Mental health awareness – As someone who lives with bipolar disorder, Halsey has been a beacon of hope for those struggling with mental health. She offers words of comfort for those struggle like her. Her openness about medication, therapy and self-care has normalised conversations around mental illness. She wants the victims to talk to her even if there was no one to listen. Halsey’s openness about her own bipolar disorder has helped reduce stigma surrounding mental illness. When celebrities speak on issues, it becomes the norm and reduces as taboo. She has worked with organisations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to raise awareness. In partnership, she is able to reach out to wider number of people suffering the disorder. She remains passionate for this cause.
LGBTQ+ rights advocacy – As an openly bisexual artist, Halsey has championed LGBTQ+ rights. As a supporter, she contributes a lot of her time into the venture. She has been performing at Pride events and supporting organisations like GLAAD. This not only advances the cause but also makes people understand how others are equal like ourselves too. She is always supporting initiatives aimed at LGBTQ+ youth. It is very dear to heart in standing for them.
Racial justice – Halsey’s biracial identity fuels her commitment to racial equality. With parents coming from different races, she values people of different races. During the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, she was on the frontlines documenting police violence. Being on the field, she was able to show the world how dysfunctional police can sometimes be. She was also donating to bail funds. People who were wrongfully arrested had to be rendered due justice and freedom.
Reproductive rights – After experiencing miscarriages, Halsey became an advocate for reproductive healthcare by using her voice to support those affected by restrictive laws. She understood the difficult moments that women would have to undergo. Hence, she raised concerns for it. Today, Halsey has become a vocal supporter of reproductive healthcare access. Perhaps, she is only one of the few celebrities who are engaged in this particular social issue. She is actively advocating for bodily autonomy even. Bodily autonomy means that you have a right to handle your own body in any manner you wish without the influence or intervention of anyone or the state.
Aesthetics, artistry, business ventures and fashion – An entrepreneur and style icon
Now, Halsey’s creative vision extends beyond music. I told you earlier that she was a female with many talents. Fashion is yet another arena where Halsey shines. She is acing in the fashion department too. Known for her chameleonic style, she constantly reinvents her look…from bold colourful hair to avant-garde couture. If you know her from before, you know how she keeps experimenting various looks on herself. Her styles are bold, experimental and unapologetically unique. They turn heads because her fashion makes her stand out.
Halsey’s ever-evolving aesthetic is another hallmark of her career. The woman keeps reinventing herself, you know? She has become a fashion icon known for taking risks. She keeps bringing in the new always. Her ability to seamlessly switch between styles whether androgynous, edgy or the glamorous, it reflects her multifaceted personality. It's stylish and vibrant. Her fashion choices often make headlines in the fashion world. She comes up with something different to the public each time. Today, she is a favourite among designers. They adore her for her fashion sense.
Whether gracing the Met Gala red carpet or performing on stage at sold-out arenas, she exudes confidence and creativity. She herself is stunning anyway. Her collaborations with brands like Yves Saint Laurent and her role as a beauty ambassador have further magnified her influence in the beauty and fashion industries. Her style transcends the norm which is amazing.
In the year 2021, she launched her own makeup line called ‘About-Face’ for celebrating creativity, individuality and self-expression. Just like her hits in music, the brand is doing well. With bold colours and inclusive messaging, the brand reflects Halsey’s ethos of “Beauty is art and art should be fearless”. Such a glorious ethos is working greatly in her favour.
Her continuing impact, future aspirations and legacy
Halsey’s journey is a testament to the power of overcoming the odds. Bipolar conditions, financial problems, homelessness...what hasn't she overcome! She has shown that success doesn’t come from fitting into moulds but from breaking them. Halsey chose to work creatively and hard. Whether through her activism, art or music, she continues to inspire millions to embrace their imperfections and find beauty in their chaos. Her messages are important to the younger generation. Halsey’s journey from a struggling teenager to a global superstar is a testament to her authenticity, boundless creativity, resilience and talent. These are the tools that one needs to succeed and stand up in life. With every album, she pushes artistic boundaries and shown what it means to be a modern musician. She had to keep pushing on and remain unfazed. She has redefined what it means to be an artist in the modern era by blending activism, music and personal narrative into a cohesive impactful career. Key factors that make up an all-rounded star.
As she continues to evolve, both personally and professionally, Halsey remains a beacon of hope and inspiration for fans worldwide. Her fans number in the millions today. Her legacy is not just in her music but also in her activism which has inspired countless fans to embrace their truer selves. By being real to themselves, they are sure to find ways to improve in life. Her music not only entertains but also empowers and offers a voice to those who often feel unheard. Her lyrics are incredibly beautiful and mature. As she continues to evolve, Halsey remains a something of a salvation by proving that authenticity and courage can lead to greatness. Take notes, my friends. In the words of Halsey herself…
"If I can inspire one young person to be themselves, then I’ve done my job”.
“I’m learning to trust the journey, even when I don’t understand it”.
"There’s no greater rebellion than being yourself in a world that tells you to be someone else”.
Hidden gems and lesser-known stuff about Halsey
Academic excellence – Before pursuing music, Halsey was accepted into the Rhode Island School of Design but chose a different path due to financial constraints. She was enduring really stressful times back then.
Polymath talent – In addition to music, Halsey is a visual artist and often paints as a therapeutic outlet. Yes, she also paints. She is a self-taught artist. Halsey learnt to paint by herself. She can paint and Halsey is a talented painter. It calms her nerves in a chaotic world.
BTS collaboration – Her 2019 collaboration with BTS on ‘Boy With Luv’ became a cultural phenomenon and broke YouTube records. The views rose up quickly. The collab earned her legions of fans in South Korea. They still love her very much. Thus, she gained international appeal. She had breached borders with her music and talent.
Motherhood – In the year 2021, Halsey gave birth to a son named Ender Ridley Aydin with Turkish-American screenwriter Alev Aydin. She had ventured into the next successful phase in her life besides music. Motherhood, she says, has given her ‘a new lens on life’. It made her kinder and wiser. She has spoken a lot about how motherhood has reshaped her perspective on art and life. Finally, she seems happy at overcoming the many obstacles in her life which seemed impossible.
Artistic inspiration – Halsey is a self-proclaimed fan of iconic artists like Alanis Morissette and The Cure whose influences are evident in her music. She had been listening to them as she was growing up.
Literary aspirations – In the year 2020, she released a poetry collection called ‘I Would Leave Me If I Could’ which shows her talent as a writer. What an incredible artist!
Philanthropy – Halsey has donated as well as raised funds for various causes including disaster relief, mental health initiatives and reproductive rights. Her philanthropy has changed lives of others.
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