SingerHalseysparked controversy after impersonatingAaliyahahead of next week’s release of her latest album,The Great Impersonator, which is set to drop on October 25.
“Why is she cosplaying as a black woman?” one user asked on X after photos of Halsey impersonating the R&B singer in her iconic look from the 2001 album,Aaliyah,were released last Saturday (October 19).
HighlightsHalsey impersonates Aaliyah, sparking controversy over racial sensitivity and cultural appropriation.Some defend Halsey, noting her biracial background, while others criticize her for doing ‘blackface’.Halsey acknowledges her ‘white-passing’ appearance but identifies with her African American roots.
Criticism wasn’t universal, however, as many of Halsey’s fans defended her transformation. “People need to stop. Halsey’s half-black herself,” one follower responded while sharing a photo of her African American father, Chris Frangipane.
While fans and detractors debated racial sensitivity and cultural appropriation, others dismissed the discussion entirely. “Even if she was fully white, what’s the problem?” a viewer asked, considering the tribute harmless regardless of the races of those involved.
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Halsey’s recent tribute to R&B icon Aaliyah sparked debate among her followers as some accused her of doing “blackface”
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Thealbumwas released in July of 2001, just one month before Aaliyah’s tragic passing due to an airplane accident on August 25.
“It is a good reflection of myself and the person I am today,” the then 22-year-old R&B singer said in aninterviewforJetmagazine. “I am a young adult now, and I think this album shows my growth vocally.”
For Halsey, who has done13 impersonationsso far, the promotional campaign serves as an opportunity to pay homage to her heroes, including those who have passed away earlier in their career, such asDolores O’RiordanofCranberries.
Aaliyah’s 1998 hit,Are You That Somebody, served as inspiration for one of Halsey’s newest songs,Letter to God (1998)
Each post leading up to the release ofThe Great Impersonatoris associated with a single. For Aaliyah, the songwriter chose her new track,Letter to God (1998), offering a small 16-second teaser.
Halsey and her fatherpic.twitter.com/h0jgabEMR9
— ms/mess/maker/ 🍏 (@ess_aker)October 20, 2024
Halsey comes from a mixed-race, middle-class family and has been labeled as “white-passing,” despite identifying as a black woman
Halsey, born Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, was born in Edison, New Jersey, on September 29, 1994, and comes fromhumble beginnings.
Her parents, Nicole and Chris Frangipane, dropped out of college to take care of her once they discovered the pregnancy. Her mother is of Italian and Hungarian descent, while her father is primarily African American.
Her biracial descent has surprised many of her fans, as the singer has been labeled as “white-passing,” a fact she recognized herself during a 2017 interview withPlayboy Magazine.
“I’m white-passing. I’ve accepted that about myself and have never tried to control anything about black culture that’s not mine,” Halsey explained, adding that despite her skin color, she still primarily identifies with her African American roots.
“I look like a white girl, but I don’t feel like one. I’m a black woman,” the singer explained. “So it’s been weird navigating that. When I was growing up, I didn’t know if I was supposed to love TLC or Britney,” she joked.
While most of her fans praised her for her portrayal of Aaliyah, others debated whether the tribute was appropriate due to the singer’s race
“I see no problems with this regardless of her race,” one user commented.
“Y’all know Halsey’shalf-black, right?“another replied. “Even if she wasn’t, why would that be a problem?“
“Finally! Someone black,“one viewer pointed out. “Why do you people always have to make things aboutrace? Who cares?“another replied.
On the other hand, fans of the late R&B singer thanked Halsey for remembering the 2000s icon.
“A legend who was gone too soon,“one of Aaliyah’s fans wrote.“She would love this; thank you, Halsey.“
With just four days to go, fans can expect more surprising and mind-blowing tributes from the artist and her team, who have proven to be excellent at transforming Halsey into various figures.
The Great Impersonatoris expected to contain 18 songs and run more than 66 minutes. It will be released on October 25.
“Halsey’s mixed!” one user commented, as others joined in to debate the appropriateness of her Aaliyah tribute
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