Halsey, born Ashley Nicolette Frangipane on September 29, 1994, in Edison, New Jersey, has become a prominent figure in the music industry. Her parents, Chris and Nicole Frangipane, come from diverse backgrounds; her father is of West Indian descent, and her mother is Italian and Hungarian. This blend of cultures has influenced Halsey’s unique perspective and artistry. Growing up with two younger brothers, Sevian and Dante, Halsey’s early life was marked by frequent relocations due to her parents’ changing jobs, leading her to experience life in various cities.
From a young age, Halsey displayed a deep passion for music. She learned to play the violin, viola, and cello before settling on the acoustic guitar at age 14. Her musical influences were diverse, thanks to her parents’ eclectic taste, which included artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Nirvana, Alanis Morissette, and Tori Amos. This rich musical environment shaped her artistic development and inspired her to pursue a career in music.
Halsey’s teenage years were challenging. She faced bullying in high school, which led to a suicide attempt at the age of 17. Following this incident, she was hospitalized for over two weeks and was subsequently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a condition that also affected her mother. These experiences brought significant turmoil into her life, leading her to drop out of community college due to financial constraints and eventually becoming homeless. During this period, she stayed with friends, in homeless shelters, and occasionally in lower Manhattan basements.
Despite these hardships, Halsey’s commitment to music remained unwavering. She began posting videos of herself performing covers on YouTube and other social media platforms under various stage names. In 2014, she collaborated with a friend to record the song “Ghost,” which she uploaded to SoundCloud. The track gained significant attention, leading to multiple record labels expressing interest in signing her. Halsey ultimately chose to sign with Astralwerks, marking the beginning of her professional music career.