Halsey alleges music executive secretly went through their nude photos
During an appearance on a podcast, American pop singer Halsey revealed that they were the victim of some horrendous treatment by music industry executives during the early stages of their career. One such “demoralising” incident reportedly involved one “really powerful executive” who still works within the industry, according to Halsey.
Having recently released their fifth studio album, The Great Impersonator, which deals with a lot of introspection and personal battles for the singer, Halsey appeared on the incredibly popular podcast Call Her Daddy. During that appearance, the singer opened up about some of their experiences within the music industry, including the heinous actions of some industry executives over the years.
Speaking on the podcast, Halsey revealed, “I guess it was quite a long time ago, but I was out and I was with this executive, like this really powerful executive who works in music in some capacity,” before adding that, in the beginning, “It was just very celebratory, and there was a lot of industry talk. I didn’t feel weird about it at all. I never felt unsafe or anything.”
However, this “celebratory” evening did not last for long. After an unnamed executive asked for a photograph with the singer, Halsey gave him their phone and left to use the bathroom. Upon returning, the 30-year-old singer found executives looking at private, explicit photographs that were on the phone.
“I was just frozen,” they recalled, “I didn’t even know what to do.” Immediately, the singer’s head was swimming with questions, “I was like, ‘Did I just imagine that? Was that an accident?… I was thinking, ‘Did the phone scroll up? What the heck just happened?” Seemingly, there was also a worry that the executive had sent copies of the photos to himself without Halsey’s knowledge, “I was like, ‘Did he text them to himself and then delete the messages? I don’t even know where these are now.’”
Although Halsey affirms that they have been on the receiving end of “worse” treatment within the industry, this specific event sticks in their mind due to its “nonchalant” nature. This treatment also caused something of an identity crisis for the singer. “I went from being like, ‘Yeah, I’m fucking hot shit [to]… You’re nothing… you’re still that fucking girl who’s getting taken advantage of, or like, men are talking about you behind your back, or you’re some sort of like, collateral,’” they said.
The dark underbelly of the music industry is, by now, no secret. In the wake of pivotal movements like #MeToo, a light was shone on some of the horrific misogyny, exploitation, and sexual abuse which has occurred for decades in the entertainment industry. However, years later, more allegations and revelations about individuals in the industry are still coming to light, suggesting that the industry has remained largely unchanged.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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