Halsey wants you to know she's the 'king' of her own life

• Halsey is the new face of Budweiser's "Be a King" campaign.
• She stars in a short film about her pre-Halsey life as a housing-challenged teen in New York City, writing poetry as she rode the subway.
• The singer-songwriter told Insider that she appreciated the chance "to break down the gender association of the word" and "tell my story."
• "It's a campaign about finding and embracing your power, and all of the things that have made you who you are," she said. "I love that."
• Halsey also offered some insight into her creative process, especially writing her newest album, "Manic."

Halsey is a woman who famously wears many hats: singer, songwriter, chart-topper, poet, painter, actor, activist, and, now, the face of Budweiser's "Be a King" campaign.

The legendary beer brand tapped the 26-year-old "to inspire consumers to have the same self-belief to step up and pursue their dreams," according to a spokesperson.

She also teamed up with Budweiser to create a short film about her pre-pop star life. The visual follows her journey from a housing-challenged teen in New York City, writing and doodling as she rode the subway, to a worldwide sensation. The voiceover features some of Halsey's never-before-heard poetry.

Halsey spoke to Insider via email about what drew her to the campaign — and also offered some insight into her creative process, especially writing her newest album "Manic," which we previously named one of the best albums of the year.

What appealed to you about Budweiser's "Be a King" campaign?

A lot of things — but even just the name of the campaign alone really spoke to me. I was honored that Budweiser chose me to break down the gender association of the word "King" and allowed me to tell my story.

It's a campaign about finding and embracing your power, and all of the things that have made you who you are. I love that.

How did it feel seeing your own coming-of-age story recreated in a mini-film?

It was a really fun campaign to shoot, getting to go back to the places and mindset that made me who I am. My fans know where I'm from and how I got my name but most people don't, so I'm excited for more people to hear that story.

How do you personally distinguish a poem from a set of lyrics? Do you ever take lines from your poems and use them in songs?

A lot of the time when I sit down to write I'm doing just that — sitting down to write, not necessarily to write a song or poem.

Some poems stay poems but some end up as songs right away or even years later. Fans will be able to see how I started writing a few songs, or changed a few from the original idea in my poetry book ["I Would Leave Me If I Could"].

You've previously described yourself as more of a writer than a singer.

If you could go back to before you became Halsey and tell yourself that people would connect with your writing, that you could someday publish a book of poetry, would you still want to pursue a career in music?

Absolutely. It's always been important for me to have as many creative outlets as possible. Right now that includes singing, writing, painting, playing guitar, make up, and about a million other things, but I'll always be a storyteller.

Some days I won't want to write but I find comfort in knowing I'll always have more ways to express myself creatively.

Have you been writing more or less than usual while social distancing?

I'm always writing! I make time to write whenever I'm feeling inspired, whether that happens on an off day or in the middle of a tour. I'll always find the time to get out whatever I'm thinking.

Do you have a specific lyric or set of lyrics on "Manic" that you're particularly proud of?

This is always the hardest question to answer for any album, but especially so for "Manic."

I've always tried to be as vulnerable and honest as possible in my music, but on "Manic," I feel like I ripped myself open and presented the contents of my mind and body to the public in a way I've never done before.

There are so many truths on "Manic" that I had been trying to find the words for for so long. I don't think I can pick a favorite.

This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.

• Read more:
• The 14 best albums of 2020, so far
• 10 of the best and 10 of the worst Halsey songs of all time
• Halsey reflects on the privilege she has because she's 'white passing': 'I'm not susceptible to the same violence'
• Halsey opens up about her miscarriage on her new song 'More.' Here are 7 times she spoke up about reproductive health.