by While Halsey is undoubtedly one of the biggest pop stars in the world right now, known for massive hits like “Without Me” and “Closer,” her persona extends far beyond catchy tunes and bold public statements. Beyond the surface level, Halsey reveals herself to be a deeply thoughtful and multidimensional artist with surprising creative depths. To truly understand and appreciate Halsey requires delving into some of the lesser explored facets of who she is. Here are a few avenues to uncover Halsey’s hidden sides and gain new insight into her as both an artist and a person.
The Literary Soul
One of the most surprising lesser-known facts about Halsey is that she is an avid reader and a talented writer. Even from a young age, Halsey has been deeply influenced by literature. In past interviews, she has cited Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton as two authors who particularly inspired her own writing and songwriting style with their raw, emotional works. Halsey started her own young adult book club in 2018 called “Book Club with Halsey” to connect with fans over discussions of new releases and classics alike.
Through this book club, Halsey’s love of literature and analysis is on full display. She regularly posts on social media about the books she’s reading, her thoughts on themes and characters, and recommends titles to her fans. Some of the books she’s discussed include Normal People by Sally Rooney, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney. Halsey’s literary influences are also reflected in her lyrics, which often touch on heavier subjects with poetic metaphor in a way reminiscent of Plath. Getting to know Halsey’s bookish side offers a new layer to her persona beyond music.
The Visual Artist
While many know Halsey as a talented singer, songwriter and performer, her artistic talents don’t stop at music. She has dabbled in visual art forms like photography and filmmaking as well. Halsey has posted artistic black and white photos she’s taken on social media and discussed pursuing photography more seriously. She’s also taken the director’s chair for several of her own music videos over the years.
For videos of songs like “Nightmare,” “Graveyard,” and “You should be sad,” Halsey served as the director, giving her full creative control over the visual storytelling. Her videos exhibit a keen eye for moody, artistic imagery and meaningfully portray the emotion of the songs. By directing, Halsey is able to fully realize her visions for how her music should be represented visually. Her direction has been praised for its cinematic quality and ability to enhance the listening experience. Halsey’s artistic side opens a window into her multifaceted creativity and shows she’s just as skilled with a camera as she is with a pen or microphone.
The Mental Health Advocate
One of the most admirable parts of Halsey’s public persona is her openness about living with bipolar disorder and her advocacy for mental health awareness and resources. She has used interviews and social media to candidly discuss her private struggles in a way that helps normalize conversations around mental illness. Halsey also founded the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) Mental Health Fund to increase access to care for marginalized groups.
In 2021, Halsey partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to release a line of clothing and accessories where all profits went towards AFSP’s education and prevention programs. She’s spoken at the SXSW conference about destigmatizing mental health discussions and increasing understanding. Halsey’s personal experience lends authenticity to her advocacy, and she makes it a priority to use her platform for positive change. Getting to know this side of Halsey humanizes her and shows her dedication to helping others beyond her music career.
The Social Activist
Social and political issues are also deeply important to Halsey, and she isn’t afraid to use her fame and influence to spark change. She regularly takes to social media to speak out about progressive causes she cares about like LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, gun control reform, and racial justice. Halsey identifies as bisexual herself and is a vocal ally of the queer community. She has performed at Pride festivals around the world and donated proceeds from her “Rainbow” merch line to The Trevor Project and GLAAD.
After tragedies like the Pulse nightclub shooting, she advocated for stronger gun laws. Halsey participated in the Women’s March in 2017 and has posted in support of Black Lives Matter. She also founded the Halsey Acting for Social Change Fund in 2021 which supports organizations addressing racial injustice, poverty, and climate issues. Halsey proves that being a pop star doesn’t mean checking your politics and values at the door. Getting to understand her activist side shows she’s committed to using her platform for progressive change.
The Collaborator
While Halsey found initial success as a solo artist, she thrives on creative collaboration and exploring new musical horizons. She has worked with a wildly eclectic range of artists from different genres, eras, and cultures, showing off her versatile talents. Some of her most high-profile collaborations include teaming up with BTS for the smash hit “Boy With Luv,” The Chainsmokers on “Closer,” and Yungblud for the rebellious rock song “11 Minutes.”
Halsey has also worked with other pop stars like Lady Gaga on “Rain On Me” and Lindsey Stirling on her electronic track “Castle.” She even collaborated with rap legends like Juice WRLD on “Life’s a Mess” before his untimely death. Halsey also showcased her country chops by featuring on Luke Bryan’s “Home Alone Tonight.” Getting to see Halsey flex her musical skills across genres with such a diverse roster of artists is fascinating. It reveals that beyond pop, her talents know no bounds and she thrives on creative synergy with others.
Final Thoughts
By exploring some of these deeper facets of Halsey’s persona, a much richer picture emerges of who she truly is as an artist and cultural figure. She proves to be so much more than just a hit-making pop star – she’s a passionate bookworm, visual storyteller, advocate, activist, and boundary-pushing collaborator. Halsey wears many creative hats and infuses her multi-hyphenate talents into everything she does. Getting to know these hidden sides gives new context and appreciation for both her public achievements and private interests outside of music. Halsey continually shows that beneath the surface of any famous persona often lies unexpected creative depths just waiting to be uncovered.
