Halsey is a chart-topping pop star, but the road was a long and difficult one for the 24-year-old. During an emotional speech at the Ending Youth Homelessness: A Benefit for My Friend's Place gala in Los Angeles on Saturday (April 6) the "Without Me" singer revealed the lengths at which she contemplated going in order to pay for her next meal when she was a homeless teen.

"When I was living in New York, I was a teenager. My friends were picking out decorations for their dorms, and I was debating on whether or not I should let a stranger inside of me so I could pay for my next meal," she recalled.

"It wasn't because I did something bad. It wasn't because something was wrong with me, and it wasn't because my parents didn't love me—because they did very much," she added. "But a series of unfortunate circumstances led me to be in that position, and it can happen to absolutely anyone."

That was a mere five years ago, when Halsey was 19 years old. She continued her speech to let the crowd know they shouldn't help homeless youth because they might turn into a successful pop star like her.

"We shouldn't help because 'they could make something of themselves,' because they are something right now," she declared. "I know better than anyone how important it is to have a creative outlet in a time of need, but this is so much bigger than arts and crafts. This is life or death, and I hope that you take it very, very seriously."

Watch her full speech below.

Celebrities Showing Their Charitable Sides

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