Halsey (singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Halsey
Halsey performing at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles in 2019
Born	Ashley Nicolette Frangipane (1994-09-29) September 29, 1994 (age 30) Edison, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation	Singer songwriter actress
Years active	2012–present
Works	Discography filmography
Partner(s)	Avan Jogia (2023–present; engaged)
Children	1
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Electropop art pop R&B alternative pop alternative rock
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Labels	Astralwerks Capitol Columbia
Signature

Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, known by her stage name Halsey, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is famous for her unique singing voice and personal songwriting. Halsey has won many awards, including three Billboard Music Awards and an American Music Award. In 2020, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Halsey grew up in New Jersey and became famous by sharing her music on social media. In 2014, she signed with the record label Astralwerks and released her first collection of songs, an extended play (EP) called Room 93. Her first album, Badlands (2015), was a big success. It reached number two on the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S.

In 2016, she was featured on the song "Closer" with The Chainsmokers. The song was a massive hit, reaching number one in the U.S. and many other countries. Her second album, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom (2017), also went to number one. Her 2020 album, Manic, included the hit single "Without Me", which became her first solo song to top the U.S. charts.

Her fourth album, If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power (2021), had a darker, more industrial sound. After leaving Capitol Records, she signed with Columbia Records and released her fifth album, The Great Impersonator, in 2024. Besides music, Halsey is also known for her work in raising awareness for important causes.

Early Life

Ashley Nicolette Frangipane was born in Edison, New Jersey, on September 29, 1994. Her mother, Nicole, is an emergency medical technician (EMT), and her father, Chris, manages a car dealership. She has two younger brothers, Sevian and Dante. As a child, she learned to play the violin, viola, and cello before picking up the guitar at age 14.

Her family moved often when she was young, so she attended six different schools. In high school, she faced bullying. At 17, she went through a very difficult time that led to her being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This is a condition that can cause very strong shifts in mood and energy. She learned that her mother also has the same condition.

She got her stage name, Halsey, from Halsey Street in Brooklyn, New York. It was a place where she spent a lot of time and started writing music. The name is also an anagram (a word made by rearranging the letters) of her first name, Ashley. After graduating from high school in 2012, she faced financial challenges. For a time, she did not have a stable place to live and sometimes stayed with her grandmother.

Career

2012–2014: How Her Career Started

Halsey began writing music at 17. She posted videos on social media sites like YouTube and Tumblr. She first got noticed for a parody of Taylor Swift's song "I Knew You Were Trouble." In 2014, she wrote a song called "Ghost" and posted it on SoundCloud. The song quickly became popular online.

Several record labels contacted her, and she signed with Astralwerks. She felt they gave her the most creative freedom. She began performing shows and chose Halsey as her permanent stage name. On October 27, 2014, she released her first EP, Room 93.

2015–2016: The Success of Badlands

Halsey performing at The Troubadour in Los Angeles during the Badlands Tour, March 2015

Halsey started working on her first full album, Badlands, which was released on August 28, 2015. She described the album as a concept album about a futuristic society that was a metaphor for her own state of mind. The album was a hit, debuting at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.

The album included the popular singles "New Americana", "Colors", and "Castle". To support the album, she went on her Badlands Tour and opened for bands like Imagine Dragons and The Weeknd.

In 2016, Halsey's career reached a new level when she collaborated with The Chainsmokers on the song "Closer". The song was a worldwide smash hit. It stayed at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for 12 weeks in a row. The song earned Halsey a Grammy Award nomination.

2017–2018: Hopeless Fountain Kingdom

Halsey performing at the Grammy Museum in May 2016

Halsey released her second album, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, on June 2, 2017. The album was a concept album inspired by the story of Romeo and Juliet. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making Halsey the first woman to have a number-one album in the U.S. that year.

The album's lead single, "Now or Never", became a top 20 hit. The second single, "Bad at Love", was even more successful, reaching number five in the U.S. In 2018, she collaborated with Benny Blanco and Khalid on the song "Eastside", which became another top ten hit. During this time, she also appeared in movies, voicing Wonder Woman in Teen Titans Go! To the Movies.

2018–2020: The Manic Era

Halsey at the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards

In October 2018, Halsey released the single "Without Me". The song was very personal and became her biggest solo hit. It went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This made her one of only eight female artists to have multiple number-one songs in the 2010s.

In 2019, she collaborated with the popular Korean boy band BTS on their song "Boy with Luv". The music video broke records on YouTube. She also hosted and performed on Saturday Night Live, which was highly praised.

Her third album, Manic, was released on January 17, 2020. It included hit songs like "Graveyard" and "You Should Be Sad". She also released her first book of poetry, I Would Leave Me If I Could.

2021–2023: A New Sound with If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power

Halsey's fourth album, If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power, came out on August 27, 2021. For this album, she worked with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross from the band Nine Inch Nails. The album had a darker, rock-inspired sound and was praised by critics. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200.

In 2022, Halsey spoke out about a disagreement with her record label, Capitol Records. She said they would not release her song "So Good" until it could become a "viral moment" on TikTok. After she shared her frustration online, the label agreed to release the song. In 2023, it was announced that Halsey and Capitol Records had decided to part ways. She then signed with Columbia Records.

2024–Present: The Great Impersonator

On June 4, 2024, Halsey released "The End", a song about her health struggles. It was the first single from her fifth album, The Great Impersonator. The album's official lead single, "Lucky", came out in July and samples Britney Spears's song of the same name.

Halsey also appeared in the movie MaXXXine as the character Tabby Martin. Her album The Great Impersonator was released on October 25, 2024. To promote it, she created a scavenger hunt for fans in cities around the world.

Artistry

Halsey's music is often described as pop, electropop, and alternative. Her songs are known for being personal and telling stories. She has said that her parents' music tastes were a big influence. Her mother listened to artists like the Cure and Alanis Morissette, while her father listened to rappers like The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur.

She has also named Lady Gaga as an inspiration for giving her the strength to be herself. She credits Taylor Swift as a major reason why she insists on writing her own music. Filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino have also influenced her creative style.

Activism

Halsey is known for speaking out on important issues. She supports mental health awareness and has taken part in campaigns for suicide prevention. As a feminist, she has spoken at events like the 2018 Women's March, where she shared a powerful poem about her life experiences.

In 2020, she joined protests for racial justice. She also started The Black Creators Fund to provide support and resources for Black artists and creators. She often uses her platform to encourage her fans to get involved in causes they care about.

Personal Life

Halsey is openly bisexual. In 2021, she shared that she uses both "she/her" and "they/them" pronouns.

In July 2021, Halsey and her then-partner, Alev Aydin, welcomed a son. The couple later separated but continue to co-parent their child. In September 2024, Halsey announced that she was engaged to Canadian actor Avan Jogia.

Halsey has been open about her health challenges. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 17. She also has endometriosis, a painful condition that she has had surgery for. In 2024, she shared that she had also been diagnosed with lupus and a T-cell disorder. She often talks about her health to help others who may be going through similar struggles.

Discography

• Badlands (2015)
• Hopeless Fountain Kingdom (2017)
• Manic (2020)
• If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power (2021)
• The Great Impersonator (2024)

Filmography

Music videos

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Halsey (cantante) para niños

• LGBTQ culture in New York City
• List of artists who reached number one in the United States
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Pop Airplay chart
• List of people with bipolar disorder