Britney Spears initially accused Halsey of portraying her as a "superficial pop star with no heart" in their new "Lucky" music video and threatened legal action. However, she quickly retracted the statement, claiming it was a misunderstanding.
The controversy began after Halsey released their "Lucky" music video, which features a pop star resembling Spears, even wearing a full-body crystal suit similar to the one Spears famously wore in her "Toxic" video. In the video, Halsey, playing a character known as a successful singer, faces hidden struggles including relationship issues and undisclosed health problems.
Spears took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her anger, stating she felt "harassed, violated, and bullied." She criticized Halsey, claiming she "tailored [Spears] as a superficial pop star with no heart or concern at all."
However, within minutes, Spears deleted the post and claimed someone else had written it. "Fake news!!! That was not me on my phone!!!," she wrote, adding, "I love Halsey and that's why I deleted it!!!"
Spears' reaction appears to stem from a misunderstanding of the video's message. Halsey's "Lucky" video actually explores themes of hidden struggles and the weight of fame, which mirror their own real-life experiences. Halsey recently revealed their diagnosis with Lupus and a rare T-cell disorder, and the video features visuals like intravenous treatment, referencing their health struggles.
The song's lyrics also reflect Halsey's personal journey, with lines like "I shaved my head four times because I wanted to/ And then I did it one more time 'cause I got sick" and "I left the doctorâs office full of tears/ Became a single mom at my premiere/ And I told everybody I was fine for a whole damn year/ And thatâs the biggest lie of my career."
Many fans pointed out the misunderstanding, noting that the video was about Halsey's personal story, not a dig at Spears. Some fans even suggested that Spears wasn't aware of Halsey's health issues and misinterpreted the video's message.
Halsey previously confirmed that Spears approved their request to sample the "Lucky" track, writing on X, "I wrote her the longest, sappiest, stan letter of all time and she was soooo nice."
The situation highlights the delicate nature of online communication and the potential for misinterpretations. While Spears' initial reaction was strong, her quick retraction suggests she may have misunderstood the intent behind the video.
