Britney Spears has walked back her claims that Halsey's "Lucky" music video violated and bullied her.
The pop star initially took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express her displeasure with the video directed by Gia Coppola. Spears stated that she felt "harassed, violated, and bullied" by the visual, which drew inspiration from her own style and experiences while seemingly referencing Halsey's personal health struggles. The since-deleted post even threatened legal action against Halsey, labeling the video "downright cruel."
Spears' original statement caused a stir, particularly given her previous blessing of Halsey's sampling of her song "Lucky" for the track. However, she quickly clarified the situation, claiming that her original post was not written by her.
"Fake news !!! That was not me on my phone !!! I love Halsey and thatâs why I deleted it ð¹ !!!" Spears wrote in a follow-up post.
Halsey responded, expressing her continued admiration for the pop icon: "And I love Britney!!!! I always have and always will ð you were the first person who ever made me realize what it means to feel inspired. And you continue to inspire me everyday."
The "Lucky" video depicts a young girl whose poster of Halsey comes to life, offering a glimpse into the pop star's struggles with personal life and health. One particularly poignant scene shows Halsey removing her pink wig to reveal she is bald and about to undergo treatment for her medical issues.
Halsey previously revealed her diagnosis with Lupus SLE and a rare T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder before releasing "Lucky." She shared how she felt a strong connection to Spears' lyrics on "Lucky," stating that the song felt like it was "singing directly to me" when she was a child.
The controversy surrounding the "Lucky" video highlights the complex relationship between artists, fans, and creative inspiration. While Spears' initial reaction to the video might have been misconstrued, her subsequent retraction and Halsey's response demonstrate a willingness to resolve the situation and maintain a positive relationship.
