Halsey Wrote Britney Spears a Letter Before Using “Lucky” in New Album (Exclusive)

by

As a long-time fan of Britney Spears and Halsey, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of admiration for both these remarkable women. Hearing about Halsey’s old-fashioned approach to sampling Spears’ iconic song “Lucky” for her upcoming album, “The Great Impersonator,” is nothing short of inspiring. The fact that she wrote a heartfelt letter to Spears, expressing her admiration and sharing her personal struggles, shows a level of respect and humility that is truly endearing.

Back in the day, I penned down a heartfelt note to the iconic ’90s pop sensation, Britney Spears, when seeking permission to sample her hit single “Lucky” for my upcoming album.

In an exclusive preview for the upcoming episode of the Sauce on the Side with Gandhi podcast, airing Wednesday on The Hollywood Reporter, Halsey mentions that Spears was incredibly supportive from the beginning. She expresses her surprise because she believed it would take some persuasion since she wasn’t sure if Spears recognized her.

Halsey’s latest track titled “Lucky” serves as the second main promotional song for her upcoming album, entitled “The Great Impersonator.” The tune draws inspiration from Britney Spears’ 2000 hit of the same title.

Halsey didn’t simply contact Britney Spears out of the blue, she explains. Instead, she penned an extensive letter expressing her admiration for Spears and how much the artist meant to her musically. She also shared her personal experiences, including becoming a single mother, which resonated with Spears as well.

The vocalist informed Gandhi that she hadn’t anticipated Spears would read the letter, but she did. “I recall receiving the call that went something like, ‘You can use the song. She adores it.’ And I was simply stunned, thinking, is this actually happening now? This is unbelievable. I was just taken aback. Yes. It felt like a complete circle moment for 6-year-old me.

Halsey has shared that Spears was the initial pop star who captured her heart as an artist, expressing this sentiment not too long ago.

In the same podcast, Halsey opened up about penning “The Great Impersonator” amidst my own health struggles. Lately, she’s been candidly discussing her battles with lupus, T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, POTS, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome, and other conditions. As a fellow fan, I can only admire her resilience and creativity in the face of such challenges.

Halsey explains that she’s dealing with an illness that keeps her confined at home. She adds, ‘Your body undergoes significant changes during this time. It feels as if you’re going through a complete transformation, even to the point of losing your hair.’

Consequently, the artist explained, she composed the album while existing in a realm suspended between life and death. “I found myself in this limbo, seeking answers from doctors for months on end,” she said, “not just about my ability to continue my career as a musician, but about whether I would even survive. And that uncertainty was truly petrifying.

The performer notes that becoming a mother compounded the challenges she faced. “It’s as if the most wonderful event in the world occurred [becoming a mom]. But then, suddenly, something very frightening happened to me,” she explains. “And then I realized that I had to begin writing because I knew it would aid me in understanding and coping with the situation.

The Great Impersonator releases Oct. 25.

Read More

2024-09-10 22:56