The artistic moniker Halsey originated from the New York City Subway station located on Halsey Street in Brooklyn, a site where the performer spent significant time during her teenage years. Born Ashley Nicolette Frangipane in 1994 in Edison, New Jersey, she emerged as a prominent figure in the contemporary pop music landscape through self-released material posted to various social media platforms.
Early Development and Education
Growing up in Central Jersey, Frangipane was exposed to music early, studying the violin, viola, and cello before beginning to play the guitar at age 14. Her formal education included attendance at Warren Hills High School in Washington, New Jersey, from which she graduated in 2012. Following high school, she briefly enrolled at the Rhode Island School of Design but withdrew due to financial constraints. Her youth was marked by frequent relocation and personal volatility, including a diagnosis of bipolar disorder at age 17.
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In 2014, she signed a recording contract with Astralwerks and released her inaugural extended play titled Room 93. Her full-length studio debut, Badlands, followed in 2015, achieving significant commercial success and entering the Billboard 200 at the number two position. The album included notable singles such as Colors, Gasoline, and New Americana. Her career expanded rapidly with high-profile collaborations, most notably performing on The Chainsmokers' 2016 single Closer, which attained widespread international success and received an 18-times platinum certification.
Studio Albums and Creative Evolution
The singer's discography evolved through several major releases, including the Billboard 200 chart-topping Hopeless Fountain Kingdom in 2017 and Manic in 2020. The latter featured the diamond-certified lead single Without Me, which reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2021, she pivoted toward an industrial aesthetic for her fourth album, If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power. Following a transition from Capitol Records to Columbia Records in 2023, she released her fifth studio album, The Great Impersonator, in 2024.
Professional Recognition and Advocacy
Throughout her career, the artist has received multiple industry accolades, including the 2017 Billboard Music Award for Top Hot 100 Song, the 2018 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist, and honors from the International Dance Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards in 2019. Beyond her musical compositions and production work, she is active in advocacy efforts focused on sexual assault victim support, suicide prevention awareness, and various racial justice initiatives.
Fast facts
- Born: 29 September 1994, Edison, New Jersey
- Citizenship: United States
- Primary Fields: Pop music, popular music
- Education: Warren Hills High School
- Notable Awards: Billboard Music Award, GLAAD Media Award, MTV Video Music Award
- Professional Occupations: Singer, songwriter, composer, television producer
Questions readers ask
What is the origin of the stage name Halsey?
It is an anagram of her first name, Ashley, and a reference to the Halsey Street station of the New York City Subway.
When did Halsey begin her professional music career?
She began posting music online in 2012 and signed with Astralwerks in 2014.
