You remember that 2017 New Year’s Eve performance? The one where they looked like the only two people on the planet?
Halsey and G-Eazy were the ultimate "it" couple of the late 2010s. They were messy, talented, and intensely public. Their relationship wasn't just a tabloid fixture; it was a musical collaboration that defined an era of moody, dark-pop romance. But behind the "Bonnie and Clyde" aesthetic of their hit "Him & I," things were a lot more complicated than a four-minute music video suggested.
Honestly, it’s one of those Hollywood stories that feels like a fever dream now.
The "Him & I" Era: Peak Romance or Just Good Marketing?
They met in the summer of 2017. G-Eazy, whose real name is Gerald Gillum, was the Bay Area rapper with the James Dean hair and a penchant for leather jackets. Halsey was the rising queen of alternative pop, fresh off the massive success of Hopeless Fountain Kingdom.
When they released "Him & I" in December 2017, they didn't just drop a song; they dropped a manifesto. The lyrics were dramatic. "He's out of his mind, and she's out of her mind." It felt authentic because they were actually dating. G-Eazy told Billboard at the time that the raw connection between them was something you couldn't plan.
They did the whole rounds—Good Morning America, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. They were constantly on each other’s Instagrams. If you were on the internet in 2017, you couldn't escape them. But the "crazy in love" thing has a shelf life.
The Messy Breakups (Yes, Both of Them)
In July 2018, the first crack appeared. Halsey posted an Instagram story saying she and G-Eazy were "taking some time apart."
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It was a shock, mostly because they had just been gushing about each other. But then, a few weeks later, they were seen holding hands at the VMAs. They were back on. They jetted to Italy for Halsey’s birthday. It looked like the drama was over.
It wasn't.
By October 2018, it was officially done. The second split was colder. Sources at the time told People that G-Eazy was back to his partying ways, and Halsey wasn't having it.
What most people get wrong about "Without Me"
Everyone assumes "Without Me" is a direct diss track about G-Eazy. While it definitely draws from that relationship, Halsey has been clear that it’s a reflection of several toxic dynamics she’s experienced.
"The story is a reflection of a combination of relationships," she once shared. But let's be real: when she performed it on Saturday Night Live in 2019 with giant text on the screen that read "I'm so sorry Ashley I cheated," nobody was thinking about anyone else but Gerald.
It was a brutal, public calling out. Halsey shifted from being part of a "power couple" to being a solo powerhouse who used her pain to score her first solo Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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The Fallout and the "Lighthouse" Poem
For years, the two have traded subtle (and not-so-subtle) jabs in their art. G-Eazy’s song "Had Enough" was widely seen as his side of the story, where he raps about a partner "going into fits of rage."
Halsey took things further in her 2020 poetry book, I Would Leave Me if I Could. One poem, titled "Lighthouse," described an abusive relationship with a tall, thin man who struggled with substance abuse. She never named him. G-Eazy’s team was quick to call the speculation "irresponsible," but for many fans, the dots were already connected.
It’s a grim reminder that the glossy photos we see on the red carpet often hide a much darker reality.
Where are Halsey and G-Eazy in 2026?
A lot has changed since the days of "Him & I."
Halsey is currently navigating a much more serious battle than a public breakup. In 2024 and 2025, she opened up about being diagnosed with Lupus (SLE) and a rare T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. She’s been incredibly transparent about undergoing chemotherapy and managing her health while still making music.
As of early 2026, she’s preparing for her Back to Badlands tour. She’s also a mother now to her son, Ender, and her focus has shifted entirely to her health, her family, and her art. She told Glamour years ago that she learned to "make art, not headlines," and she’s stayed true to that.
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G-Eazy has been relatively quieter on the tabloid front recently. He continues to release music and tour, but the frenzy that surrounded his personal life in 2017 has mostly cooled off.
Why this story still matters today
The Halsey and G-Eazy saga is basically a case study in "parasocial" relationships. We felt like we were in the room with them because they let us in. Then, when it got ugly, we felt the fallout.
It also highlights the double standard in the music industry. When Halsey was open about the cheating and the toxicity, some critics called her "difficult" or accused her of using the drama for sales. Meanwhile, the male perspective is often framed as "rockstar behavior."
The takeaway? Don't mistake a curated Instagram aesthetic for a healthy relationship. If you're looking to learn from their history, focus on the recovery. Halsey's ability to turn a public humiliation into a career-defining moment—and eventually find peace while dealing with massive health challenges—is way more impressive than any "Bonnie and Clyde" narrative.
If you want to understand the full weight of this era, go back and listen to "Without Me" and then "The End." You'll hear the sound of someone who stopped caring about the headlines and started caring about their own survival.
Next Steps for the Deep Dive:
- Listen to "The End" by Halsey to understand her current health journey.
- Watch the 2019 SNL performance of "Without Me" for the historical context of the split.
- Check out the Lupus Research Alliance if you want to support the cause Halsey is currently championing.