A fusion of perfumes and deodorants in the air, antsy teens and young adults surrounding me, I was in the midst of a large crowd, an ocean of youth. I’m standing in one of the largest music festivals in the US: Lollapalooza, listening to the soothing voice of Halsey. This has to be one of the most memorable parts of my summer. Singing at the top of my lungs, a couple making out behind, using my back as support; people squeezing through, blessing my shoes as if I needed saving; and the magnificent site of Halsey. Believe me, Halsey was worth the dirty shoes and the inconsiderate couple. With her tight pink shorts, white boots, tied up black shirt, her blonde boy cut, tattoos, and lyrics, she looked beautiful. In that hour, I was in complete awe.

“Will you marry me?!” a young guy shouted. “…Three kids!”

“She’s so hot,” other people chimed in.

She presented herself well with rhythm, grace, with her beautifully written lyrics. Her songs took me to a different world and I was completely happy. I didn’t think the experience could get any better. Suddenly, Halsey pauses after one of her songs and confidently says:

“I want to take a few minutes to give you a quick reminder. There’s been a lot of shit happening in the world lately. Some shit that’s been hard for me to get up on stage in a pair of little pink shorts, and sing these stupid songs…When there’s so much going on and more important. So, I just want to remind you that if you’re standing in my crowd right now, this is not a place for fear. Music is not a place for fear. And if you’re standing here right now, I hope you’re standing here proud of your race, of your sexuality, of your class, of your faith! The diversities in you guys is what makes music possible. So, thank you for being yourselves!”

Her words made the crowd move and cheer, an unseen force of content and ease in millennials all around me. There she was, dripping like a saturated sunrise, turning into a lilac sky, and all of us in the crowd would say purple is definitely for us (reference to one of her songs, Colors).