Halsey — born Ashley Nicolette Frangipane on September 29, 1994, in Edison, New Jersey — is a Grammy‑nominated American singer, songwriter, activist and cultural icon whose genre‑blending sound and emotionally honest lyrics have made them one of the defining artists of their generation. Halsey’s journey began in earnest by sharing original songs on social media platforms like Tumblr and SoundCloud, where their bold, confessional storytelling first won attention. They exploded onto the mainstream with their debut studio album Badlands in 2015, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum in the U.S., showcasing a dystopian conceptual world that mirrored personal introspection. Halsey followed this with a string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful records, including Hopeless Fountain Kingdom (which debuted at No. 1), Manic, and If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, blending pop, alternative and electronic elements while pushing creative boundaries. Halsey has also been part of hugely successful collaborations, most notably co‑writing and featuring on The Chainsmokers’ “Closer,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 consecutive weeks and became one of the most streamed songs globally, further cementing their appeal to both mainstream and indie audiences.
Throughout their career, Halsey has been recognised with numerous accolades and critical acclaim for both their artistic impact and cultural influence. They have received multiple Billboard Music Awards, an American Music Award, a Billboard Women in Music Award, and several MTV Video Music Awards, alongside three Grammy Award nominations — including for Best Alternative Music Album — highlighting their excellence across genres. Halsey’s influence extends beyond music into activism, where they have been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, LGBTQ+ rights, and women’s rights, and in 2020 were named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. Their songwriting prowess and willingness to candidly explore personal themes of identity, love, trauma and resilience have earned them devoted fans around the globe and notable industry respect, including the Innovation Award at the BandLab NME Awards and recognition from the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Hal David Starlight Award for exceptional promise in songwriting. Beyond studio success, Halsey’s dynamic live shows and tours — such as their For My Last Trick Tour and ongoing Back to Badlands Tour — continue to draw sold‑out crowds worldwide, combining striking visual performance with deeply personal connection, making every concert an immersive experience of catharsis and celebration.
