Halsey Gets Extremely Personal in Award Acceptance Speech
Halsey was honored at the Songwriters Hall Of Fame at their 50th annual gala where she was bestowed the Hal David Starlight Award. The award goes to a young songwriter who's making an impact in the music industry.
Famed songwriter and producer Benny Blanco, who is a close friend of Halsey's, introduced her to the stage. “We’ll be in the studio and I’ll go the bathroom and come back five minutes later and she’s written the entire song,” he told the crowd. He also called her a "superhuman."
Halsey told the crowd that 'Halsey' is just her persona. “Tall and confident and brave, the best version of myself, but before I can be my best I have to be my worst," she shared. "A 24-year-old girl from New Jersey named Ashley Frangipane, who’s nervous, self-critical and terrified. And that’s exactly why I invented Halsey; Ashley doesn’t get awards like this.”
She also spoke about the double standards in the media. “You know, sometimes it’s kind of funny when you’re doing interviews and people want to ask you about who you’re dating and what you’re wearing. You’re thinking to yourself, ‘Is anyone gonna ask me about my music?'”
She concluded her speech in the most iconic way. “I want to thank every single person who ever made me feel small, because it put me in a corner and made me write every f---ing song. Now, I’m going to shut up and sing for you." She went on to perform a stripped version of "Without Me."
During the evening other songwriters were honored such as Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliott, and John Prine. Elliott made history as the first female hip-hop artist to join the Songwriters Hall of Fame.