Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, known professionally as Halsey, was born on September 29, 1994, in Edison, New Jersey. Her mother is of Italian and Hungarian descent, and her father is African American with some Irish ancestry. Halsey has two younger brothers, Sevian and Dante. Growing up, she learned to play the violin, viola, and cello before picking up the guitar at age 14. The stage name "Halsey" is an anagram of her first name, Ashley, and a reference to a street in Brooklyn where she spent a lot of time as a teenager.
Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
Halsey gained attention by self-releasing music on social media. In 2014, she signed with Astralwerks and released her debut extended play (EP), Room 93. Her debut studio album, Badlands (2015), was a commercial success, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 chart. The album was certified double platinum and included the singles "Colors," "Gasoline," and "New Americana." In 2016, she was the featured vocalist on The Chainsmokers' hit single "Closer," which topped charts in over ten countries.
Artistic Evolution and Success
Halsey's second album, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom (2017), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making her the first woman to achieve a number one album in the US in 2017. Her third album, Manic (2020), became her best-selling album worldwide, with the lead single "Without Me" topping the Billboard Hot 100. In 2021, she released her fourth album, If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power, which was produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails and marked a shift towards a darker, industrial sound. Her fifth studio album, The Great Impersonator, was released in 2024.
Musical Style and Themes
Halsey's music is known for blending genres, including pop, electropop, alternative rock, and R&B. Lyrically, her work often explores personal themes of mental health, sexuality, and rebellion. She is also a published author, having released a collection of poetry titled "I Would Leave Me If I Could."
Personal Life and Activism
Halsey is openly bisexual and a vocal advocate for various social causes, including mental health awareness, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice. She has been open about her struggles with bipolar disorder, which she was diagnosed with at age 17, and endometriosis. In July 2021, Halsey gave birth to her son, Ender Ridley Aydin, with her then-partner Alev Aydin. She is currently in a relationship with actor Avan Jogia.