Halsey Fires Back at Anthony Fantano Over 2024 Album Review

On June 21, 2026, singer Halsey took to X to confront music critic Anthony Fantano after his comments on her 2024 album The Great Impersonator sparked a dispute that had simmered for two years.

The tension began when a user named @NotRealMusic posted that they disagreed with Fantano’s review and asked why the discussion was still alive. Fantano replied, quoting the post and adding, “if they’re more into the review than the album,” with a laughing emoji. Halsey’s response was immediate and unambiguous: she wrote, “I’m certain my least memorable song will be remembered more fondly and for more time than anything you ever do with your life will be.” She followed up with, “Everything you say is more ‘whiny’ and ‘edgy’ than I was at any point on that album. But at least I had the excuse of going through chemo,” and later labeled Fantano a “raised‑by‑4chan edgelord bully. Yuck.” The singer closed the thread with, “That’s all and good luck to this man!”

Fantano’s reply was brief. He wrote, “flattered to be on your radar, queen ?” before explaining his side to Variety on June 22. In the interview, he said the review was posted two years ago and he had not addressed its reception until now. He noted, “We’re talking about a two‑year‑old review here where I’ve remained mostly silent on the reception of the review, despite the fact that Halsey and her fans, for the duration of that time, have pushed the narrative that I disliked the album — or said in my assessment of the album that there was a ‘self‑centeredness’ about it — because she was sick.” He added that he did not target the album because of her illness.

The Great Impersonator dropped on October 25, 2024 through Columbia Records. Conceived as a confessional concept record, it was Halsey’s first release after her diagnosis with lupus and a rare T‑cell lymphoproliferative disorder. She has spoken publicly about undergoing chemotherapy to treat the condition. Critics described the album as raw and dark, with echoes of past musical influences. It debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200 and entered the top 20 in Australia, Canada, Scotland, and the United Kingdom.

Fantano’s review on his YouTube channel The Needle Drop was one of several that covered the album. While some reviewers praised its honesty, others felt it did not fully exploit its diverse inspirations. The debate over the review’s tone has persisted, with Halsey’s recent X posts underscoring her frustration that the criticism was perceived as dismissive of her health struggles.

The feud has run parallel to other public appearances by Halsey. In May 2026, she and her fiancé, actor and director Avan Jogia, attended the Cannes Film Festival to promote their joint project, the film Her Private Hell. The couple also announced a new collaborative project earlier in the year.

At present, the public dispute remains confined to the X conversation and Fantano’s brief statements to Variety. No additional comments have been issued by either party, and the matter has not escalated into legal action or broader industry fallout.

The incident illustrates the ongoing friction between artists and online music critics, especially when personal health issues intersect with public reception of creative work. It also shows how social media can revive disagreements that began years earlier, keeping them in the spotlight.

As of now, Halsey’s next public engagement is her scheduled appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, while Fantano continues to produce music reviews on his channel. No further developments have been reported.