Britney Spears and Halsey accused of ‘publicity stunt’ for new single ‘Lucky’

Britney Spears and Halsey fans are buzzing over a recent online spat, speculating that it might just be a strategic move to promote Halsey’s new single, "Lucky."

Halsey’s track pays homage to Spears’ 2000 hit of the same name, and the music video is filled with nods to the "Toxic" star’s career and tumultuous journey to fame.

The drama unfolded just hours after Halsey dropped the song on Friday, July 26th. Spears took to social media, expressing feelings of being "harassed, violated, and bullied" by the video’s portrayal. She indicated that she would be taking legal action, calling the video "cruel" and labeling her depiction as that of a "superficial popstar."

However, within mere hours, Spears retracted her statement, claiming her phone had been hacked. "That was not me on my phone!!! I love Halsey and that’s why I deleted it," she wrote to her massive following of 54 million. Halsey then reciprocated with a heartwarming response: "and I love Britney!!!! I always have and always will. You were the first person who ever made me realize what it means to feel inspired. And you continue to inspire me every day."

While some fans were busy debating whether the video was a sincere tribute to Spears, others quickly labeled the whole incident as a publicity stunt.

"I love how @britneyspears still knows how to play the game! Obvious publicity stunt to bump Halsey’s song," one fan insisted online. "LOVE this. This is what pop culture has been missing lately!"

Another fan added, "You see Britney just showed everybody what a #real stunt is. Now people will actually watch the Halsey video, and that means more money in her pocket."

Halsey, whose real name is Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, assured fans last week that she had Spears’ blessing to use "Lucky" in her track. She wrote on X/Twitter, "I wouldn’t even dream of doing it without [Spears’] blessing!"

Halsey’s version tweaks the original chorus slightly: "But I’m so lucky, I’m a star, but I cry, cry, cry in the lonely heart thinking / If there’s nothing missing in my life, then why do these tears come at night?"

In Spears’ original song, the lyrics go: "She’s so lucky, she’s a star, but she cry, cry, cries in her lonely heart, thinking / If there’s nothing missing in my life, then why do these tears come at night?"

Directed by Gia Coppola, Halsey’s music video follows a young girl who idolizes pop star Halsey. Behind the scenes, however, Halsey grapples with health issues and personal struggles, painting a picture of the darker side of fame.

The video shows Halsey enduring blood infusions and removing a wig to reveal a bald head, where she sings: "I shaved my head four times because I wanted to and then I did it one more time cause I got sick. I thought I changed so much nobody would notice shit, and no one did. Then I left the doctor’s office full of tears / Became a single mom at my premiere / I told everybody I was fine for a whole damn year, and that’s the biggest lie of my career."

Some noticed this might be a direct reference to Spears, who famously shaved her head in 2007. However, Halsey has previously spoken openly about her struggles with endometriosis, a condition she was diagnosed with in 2016. "Long story short, I’m lucky to be alive," she shared on Instagram in June.

In her initial social media post addressing Halsey’s music video, Spears expressed her distress: "For obvious reasons, I’m very upset about the Halsey video. I feel harassed, violated, and bullied. I didn’t know an artist like her and someone I looked up to and admired would illustrate me in such an ignorant way by tailoring me as a superficial pop star with no heart or concern at all. I have my own health problems which is why I took down my IG account yesterday."

She continued, "I will definitely be putting it back up now to show I CARE. I’m speaking with my lawyers today to see what can be done on this matter. It feels illegal and downright cruel."

Spears’ original song "Lucky" was released when she was 19 and is featured on her acclaimed 2000 album, Oops!… I Did It Again. The narrative tells the story of a famous actor named Lucky, who appears to have it all—fame, wealth, and stardom—but feels lonely and unhappy behind closed doors.

Representatives for Halsey and Spears have yet to comment.

Source: The Independent