Halsey sets record straight after being accused of ‘rainbow marketing strategy’
Halsey at the 2019 Songwriters Hall Of Fame in New York. (Jamie McCarthy/FilmMagic)
The 24-year-old singer US singer Halsey has defended herself against criticism that she uses rainbow flags in her shows as a marketing strategy.
Yesterday (July 6), the singer captioned an Instagram post of her onstage in Brazil, “Peak bi gurl evolution.”
In the post there are two images. In the first, a rainbow flag is crumpled at her feet, and in the second she is holding it in her hand.
One user said, “Rainbow is the new marketing strategy.”
Halsey, who is bisexual, responded to the criticism on Instagram.
“There’s been a flag in my show for five years. You’re just not paying attention you whiny little baby,” the Grammy-nominated singer said.
Halsey’s fans were also quick to jump to her defence.
“She can market the rainbow for me forever!!! Thanks for the support! Thanks for keeping it real. She’s bi – you don’t have to be a genius or even a diehard fan. She puts it all in her music. Listen before you comment, people,” one fan said.
Another user said, “You gave me the strength and courage to come out as bi.”
The Instagram post has 1.1 million likes.
Halsey praised for ‘bisexual representation’
Halsey, whose real name is Ashley Frangipane, was nominated for a Grammy in 2019 for her hit song “Without Me.”
In May 2019, she received praise on social media for the intensity of her performance of the song to same-sex choreography at the 2019 Billboard music awards.
The choreography was created by Janelle Ginestra, who had previously directed Halsey and Chynoweth in a similar dance performed on The Voice in December.
“Tonight was the most fun I’ve ever had on stage. I’m just really happy. Happy tears. Thank you guys,” Halsey said in an Instagram story posted after the awards ceremony.
Viewers of the awards praised Halsey on Twitter for her commitment to LGBT+ representation.
“Big love to @halsey, that bisexual representation in without me really matters and it touched me as bi female sooo much, thank you boo” one person wrote.
