Halsey opened up about her recent health battles and she described the experience in her new music.
Earlier today, the singer released the first song off of her upcoming fifth studio album. She first announced the song, titled “The End,” yesterday, where she gave some context to the song’s title.
“Before the first single comes, I wanted to share this,” Halsey on social media Monday, sharing the song’s cover art ahead of the song’s Tuesday release. “It means a lot to me and I love it. Let’s try something different this time and start at ‘The End.'”
The song almost brought me to tears after hearing the lyrics, because it was clear that Halsey was enduring something we, as fans, knew nothing about. “Every couple of years now, a doctor says I’m sick pulls out a brand new bag of tricks,” Halsey sings. “And then they lay it on me. And at first, it was my brain, then a skeleton in pain. And I don’t like to complain, but I’m saying sorry.”
“When I met you, I thought I was damaged goods, had a fucked up childhood, and there’s poison in my brain and in my blood,” she continues to sing.
While Halsey did not specify her health battles on the song, she spoke candidly about her last year, noting she was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome, mast cell activation syndrome — known as MCAS — and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, known as POTS.
As far as meeting someone who she later describes on the song as a “lover who’s better for her liver,” that could be referring to her boyfriend, actor Avan Jogia.
On the day of the song’s release, Halsey also posted several videos to Instagram that showed the health journey she’s been on, including clips from what appears to be the singer receiving medical treatment.
“Long story short, I’m lucky to be alive,” Halsey captioned the post, while also tagging both the Lupus Research Alliance and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. “Short story long, I wrote an album. It begins with ‘The End.’ Out now.”
In the first video, the singer is seen rubbing her legs as she seemingly attempts to relieve the aches throughout her body. “I told myself I’m giving myself two more years to be sick,” she said, adding that she’s going through a rebirth, and she hopes to get hotter and have more energy as she relives her 20s in her 30s.
She continued being vulnerable with her followers by including a montage video of her various hospital visits.
Halsey / instagram.com
Her comments were immediately flooded with messages of support and concern. It was heartwarming to see fans and friends rally behind her, as well as those who acknowledged they judged her appearance without realizing what she was going through.
you’ve shown us time and time again what a warrior you are… you’ve always shown up for us and we will always show up for you. we are sending so much love your way! we love you and we are with you ❤️
— Alexis Kraft (@TheAlexisKraft) June 4, 2024
Long story short, thank you for your vulnerability. Short story long, we’re here for you @halsey ❤️
— The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (@LLSusa) June 4, 2024
You got this Halsey. Hoping you get to redo your 20s & 30s and get all that energy and strength back for the people you love and who loves you. Stay strong.
— ᴇᴍʏ⁷ 아포방포 (@_3myy) June 4, 2024
Sending you all love and courage and good wishes, thank you for sharing your story
— pj⁷💜 아포방포 waiting for 2seok+2025 (@ninemoons42) June 4, 2024
Sending you so much love and the biggest virtual hug, Halsey!
