Halsey Reveals Pre-Fame Job Booking Hardcore Shows in New Jersey

Pop superstar Halsey, known for her chart-topping hits, recently revealed an unexpected chapter of her pre-fame life: booking hardcore and metal shows in New Jersey. The singer, whose real name is Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, shared the surprising detail during a meet-and-greet event for her beauty brand, About-Face, at an Ulta store.

In a video that surfaced on TikTok, Halsey responded to a fan’s question about her love for hardcore music by saying, “I super fuck with hardcore.” She went on to explain, “I used to promote hardcore shows. In Jersey before I started making music. I did a lot of hardcore, but then also some of the more commercial hardcore. The biggest show I ever booked, I was 16, was like August Burns Red and The Devil Wears Prada.”

Halsey’s connection to the hardcore scene runs deep. She revealed that her senior yearbook quote was a line from a Defeater song, and she has previously referenced lyrics from Hundredth, a band that began as a hardcore act. Social media users have also chimed in, with some recalling seeing Halsey at shows and even booking events for bands like Shattered Realm.

The Devil Wears Prada, one of the bands Halsey mentioned, acknowledged her revelation in the comments of the TikTok video, thanking her for the shoutout. Halsey’s rock influences have occasionally surfaced in her music, such as her collaboration with Bring Me The Horizon on the track “¿” in 2019. She has also spoken about her desire to incorporate more rock elements into her work, as seen in her 2021 album “If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power,” produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

Halsey’s latest album, “The Great Impersonator,” released in 2024, further explores her musical inspirations, with the singer recreating the looks of iconic artists who influenced each track. Her early involvement in the hardcore scene adds another layer to her multifaceted career, showcasing her deep-rooted connection to music beyond the pop genre.