I Refuse to Be Labeled

As her star rises, the outspoken singer insists she doesn’t want to be put in a box ON A LIGHTER NOTE…

Afew years ago, Halsey was uploading covers of songs by Taylor Swift and Bastille to Youtube. But when she posted an original song called “Ghost” to SoundCloud in 2014, calls from record labels followed. Now with hits like “The Feeling” with Justin Bieber and “Closer” with the Chainsmokers under her belt, Halsey, 22, is a star in her own right. Just don’t call her music’s new It Girl: “I don’t want to be America’s sweetheart or the bad girl or Halsey the anything,” she says. “I’m more multidimensional than that.” Here the candid bisexual singer (real name: Ashley Frangipane), who recently created the “Welcome to the Kingdom” signature cocktail ( likely a nod to her new album, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom) in collaboration with Three Olives Vodka for its Find Otherness campaign, opens up about her vision, her surprising hobby and the one thing she can’t live without.

You’re clearly passionate about music. Where do you think that comes from? H:

Music is the coolest job I’ve ever had, and the only job I ever want to have. It’s the only way I can express myself in a way that people don’t misunderstand.

Your music is really personal, and you’re also vocal about political issues. Why? H:

I care a lot about human rights. I try never to silence myself when something weighs heavy on my heart.

Where do you find inspiration? H:

I’m super-inspired by cinema. My debut album, Badlands, was based off of [Quentin] Tarantino.

What are you doing when you’re not making music? H:

Baking! I spend a ton of time on the road, so when I get to have a kitchen, I make cupcakes, cakes, pizza and all this crazy stuff.

Why did you want to get involved in the Find Otherness campaign? H:

Because it’s about celebrating the differences in yourself and in the people around you. Most of the amazing things we have in life, like music and art and fashion, come from those differences.

Speaking of fashion, you have a really strong personal style. What’s your favorite wardrobe staple? H:

Boots! I wear them every day. A good pair of boots can make any outfit cool. That’s one thing I can’t live without. Boots and pizza. [ Laughs] I’ll eat pizza twice a day for the rest of my life.

You went to Coachella this year. Who was your favorite headliner? H:

Lady Gaga, definitely. She inspires me to be myself.

It sounds like that’s the most important thing for you. H:

When you hear a story about failure, it’s usually because an artist let someone get in the way of their vision and control their choices. You have to trust yourself — you can’t fail at being you! ◼