Halsey

Born Ashley Nicolette Frangipane on September 29, 1994, in Edison, New Jersey, Halsey's life began in a setting marked by diversity and challenge. Her mother, Nicole, worked in hospital security, and her father, Chris, managed a car dealership. She has two younger brothers, Sevian and Dante. Her mixed heritage – Italian, Hungarian, and Irish from her mother's side, and African-American with some Irish ancestry from her father's – shaped her early experiences and perspectives.

Halsey's early life was a patchwork of financial hardships and constant moving, leading her to switch schools six times during her childhood. This whirlwind of change didn't just disrupt her school life; it profoundly shaped her cultural tastes and musical interests. She found herself gravitating towards diverse subcultures and music genres, which later echoed in her eclectic sound. At 17, Halsey faced another significant challenge: a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, a condition she shares with her mother. This period in her life was marked by intense struggles, culminating in a 17-day hospitalization following a suicide attempt.

A pivotal turn in her career occurred in 2012 when she began posting covers on social media platforms, notably her rendition of Taylor Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble" on Tumblr, which gained significant attention. This exposure led to her first recording contract with Astralwerks in 2014. Her debut EP, "Room 93," released the same year, showcased her distinctive voice and eclectic sound, blending indie, pop, and electronic influences.

Her debut studio album, "Badlands," released in 2015, was a critical and commercial success. It debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart and was certified Platinum by the RIAA. The album's dystopian themes and raw, emotive lyrics resonated with a wide audience, establishing her as a unique voice in the music industry. This success was a precursor to her receiving various accolades, including nominations for prestigious awards.

A stylistic shift was marked with her sophomore album, "Hopeless Fountain Kingdom" (2017), delving into more personal themes of love and loss. Influenced by her own experiences with a high-profile breakup, the album topped the Billboard 200 chart. Its lead single, "Now or Never," showcased her evolution as an artist, blending her signature indie-pop sound with a more mainstream appeal.

Her collaborative works have significantly contributed to her fame. Her feature on The Chainsmokers' 2016 hit "Closer" catapulted her to international stardom, becoming one of the longest-running number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. This collaboration also earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Other notable collaborations include "Eastside" with Benny Blanco and Khalid, and "Boy With Luv" with BTS, further expanding her global reach.

Her most recent album, "Manic" (2020), represents her most introspective work to date. The album includes hit singles like "Without Me," which became her first number-one single as a lead artist on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned her the Billboard Music Award for Top Selling Song in 2020. "Manic" showcases a raw and unfiltered side of her, exploring themes of mental health, fame, and the complexities of her personal life.

Notably, she was nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2021 as a featured artist and songwriter on Justin Bieber's album "Changes."

Halsey is openly bisexual and has been a vocal advocate for various social issues, including mental health awareness, women's rights, and the Black Lives Matter movement. Her personal life, including her relationships, has often been in the public eye. She has been linked with various figures in the music and entertainment industry. She dated Norwegian producer Lido (2015-2016), rapper G-Eazy (2017-2018), and actor Evan Peters (2019). She has been open about her personal struggles, including her battle with endometriosis, which led to a miscarriage in 2015. She has used her platform to advocate for women's health issues and mental health awareness, resonating with fans who share similar experiences. In 2021, she welcomed her first child, Ender Ridley Aydin, with screenwriter Alev Aydin. The birth of her child marked a significant and joyous milestone in her life, influencing her perspective and artistic direction.

On November 14, 2023, she spoke out for the first time amid the ongoing conflict between Israel, Hamas, and Palestine, explaining why she had previously remained silent on the issue. In a candid Instagram Story, she addressed her support for the Palestinian people and expressed concern about the rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia. This statement is part of her broader advocacy work, which includes support for mental health, women's rights, and the LGBTQ+ community.