Halsey’s Turbulent Year: Health Struggles, Career Shifts, and Personal Growth

In the early months of 2023, the singer Halsey faced a series of challenges that could easily overshadow the typical woes of the entertainment world. These months were marked by significant personal and professional upheavals, including a difficult separation from their long-time record label Capitol, ongoing health battles, and personal turmoil.

Halsey, aware of the astrological concept known as the Saturn Return, felt as though they were undergoing a period of rigorous maturation, albeit through particularly severe trials. “I started looking online for a witch to help me. I thought I’d been hexed or something,” Halsey said during a dinner conversation in London, reflecting on their turbulent year. Forgoing a mystical solution, they focused instead on confronting their newly diagnosed leukemia and lupus, chronic illnesses that have deeply affected their life.

The physical toll of their illnesses was compounded by significant emotional challenges. Not only did they endure intense physical pain, but their familial situation also changed drastically as they became a single parent. “I never pictured myself as a happy family,” Halsey revealed. This personal realization came as their relationship with the father of their son, Ender, dissolved.

During this time of intense personal reassessment, Halsey decided to step back from public life, choosing to maintain privacy as they grappled with their health conditions and family changes. Yet, this retreat from the limelight allowed them to focus on what mattered most, including their role as a mother, which had always been a central aspiration.

The period away from public scrutiny also involved preparing new music. Halsey worked on their upcoming album “The Great Impersonator” during this hiatus, exploring themes of identity and self-perception amidst the trials they faced. The creative process was an opportunity for reflection and redefining their artistic voice.

Facing a series of negative assumptions from some fans exacerbated the strain, with speculation surrounding the reasons for their changing appearance and the breakup. “Most of my peers’ fans jump through physics-defying hoops to defend their artists. My kids, if something happens to me, 99 percent of the time, they’re like, ‘What’d you do, Halsey?'” the artist said, addressing the scrutiny.

In addition to dealing with public perceptions, Halsey also navigated challenges in romantic relationships, an aspect they believe impacted their health. Yet, upon meeting Avan Jogia, Halsey found a supportive partner who helped them through postpartum depression and encouraged personal growth.

Reflecting on their evolving career and personal life, Halsey expressed a desire to align their public persona more closely with who they truly are. “There are things about myself that I’ve been keeping to myself to protect my privacy… but what I’ve done by accident instead is I’ve prevented my public persona from aligning accurately with who I am,” they admitted.

As they look to the future, Halsey is more focused on setting boundaries and ensuring that their artistic endeavors contribute positively to their legacy. “I thought about this kind of stuff a lot when I was sick. Because if you do die, it’s things like this article that end up defining parts of your legacy,” Halsey concluded thoughtfully.