Halsey has expressed deep regret over her decision to return to music, attributing her second thoughts to the harsh criticism she’s faced from fans. In a candid Tumblr post, the singer revealed that the hostility from some of her followers has been more hurtful than any negativity she has encountered elsewhere.
The “Without Me” artist, who identifies with she and they pronouns, took to Tumblr on Tuesday to share her disheartening experience. She described feeling targeted by what she believes to be a large portion of her fanbase, who have adopted a particularly harsh and unkind attitude since her return from an extended break for health reasons.
Halsey, who disclosed in June that she was diagnosed with lupus and a rare T-cell disorder, admitted that the once-minor group of detractors has seemingly grown into a larger contingent. She noted that these individuals have remained to criticize her publicly, expressing disdain and negativity.
“It’s hard to want to engage in a space that is completely devoid of any kindness, sympathy, patience; or to be honest human decency,” Halsey wrote. She reflected on her fear of returning to the public eye, worried that this exact situation might unfold.
Feeling overwhelmed, Halsey admitted, “I don’t know man. I almost lost my life. I am not gonna do anything that doesn’t make me happy anymore. I can’t spiritually afford it.” She expressed deep regret about her return to music, stating, “When I got sick all I could think about was getting better so I could come back and be a part of THIS again, but I don’t even know what this is anymore and I want to crawl in a hole and I regret coming back.”
In a follow-up post, Halsey revealed plans to release a “stripped” version of her track “Lucky,” which she described as highlighting the dark side of fame. This decision, she said, underscores “the insane irony my life has become,” adding, “I’m a person. Not a character in a music video.”
The backlash against Halsey’s “Lucky” may have intensified her feelings of regret. The song, which draws inspiration from Britney Spears’ 2000 hit of the same name, faced criticism from Spears herself. Although Spears later retracted her comments and clarified her support for Halsey, the incident contributed to the challenging environment Halsey is currently facing.
This revelation from Halsey underscores the complex and often painful relationship between artists and their fans, highlighting the significant impact that online negativity can have on personal well-being.
