In an intimate conversation with PAPER magazine, the singer-songwriter Halsey, known for embracing both she and they pronouns, opened up about how a serious health diagnosis deeply influenced their forthcoming album, "The Great Impersonator". The revelation came on what was meant to be a celebratory day—their 28th birthday.
Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Halsey, now 29, recalled, "I had a tiny little baby, I was on tour, and it was on my 28th birthday that I received confirmation of my T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder diagnosis," she shared with the magazine.
This unsettling news not only transformed their personal life but also seeped into their artistic expression. At a time when they felt lost for words, unsure of what direction their songwriting should take, their diagnosis provided an unexpected, if not unwelcome, muse.
"I had to stop asking the universe for anything," Halsey confessed. "I just had to quit, because before this album, I remember sitting at home thinking, 'I have my perfect little family, my baby, my partner. What do I have to write about? There’s nothing.’”
She continued, “I’m always writing about conflict, tragedy, and hardship, and I felt like I had no source material. And then the universe was like, ‘Oh yeah? How about this?’”
During the interview, Halsey also shared that her doctors had warned her about the potential impact of her career on her recovery. "It felt unjust," they reflected, "because the solution seemed to be, ‘If you want to get better, quit your job.’"
As she began to shape "The Great Impersonator", Halsey found herself pondering profound, existential questions: "If I had been born in another decade or in some parallel universe, would my story have turned out the same? Would I still be Halsey? And if I were still Halsey, would I still end up being sick?" They described grappling with these thoughts and playing out alternative versions of their reality.
Earlier in June, while promoting her single "The End," Halsey took to Instagram to disclose the health battles they had been privately facing. "I realize that everyone is just now catching up on news I’ve been holding onto for quite some time, and I wasn’t sure how much I was ready to reveal," the artist wrote, expressing gratitude for her fans' support.
Halsey went on to detail: "In 2022, I was first diagnosed with Lupus SLE, and then a rare T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. Both conditions are currently being managed or are in remission, though both will likely remain part of my life indefinitely."
With courage and candor, Halsey continues to navigate the complexities of their health, while using their art as a means of both self-expression and healing.
The Quran - Chapter Al-Ma'arij: 12- 15
their spouses, their siblings,
their clan that sheltered them,
and everyone on earth altogether, just to save themselves.
But no! There will certainly be a raging Flame
