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Hayley Nichole Williams, born December 27, 1988 (age 28) in Meridian, Mississippi, is the lead vocalist, keyboardist, and song writer for Paramore.
Biography
In 2002, age 13, Williams moved from her hometown Meridian, Mississippi, to Franklin, Tennessee, where she met fellow band members Josh Farro and Zac Farro in school. Shortly after arriving, she began taking vocal lessons with Brett Manning. Paramore continues to endorse Brett Manning today, with an ad for the business running on Paramore.net.
While still in school, she tried out for a local funk cover band called The Factory, where she met bassist Jeremy Davis. Williams introduced the boys together, and Paramore began. In 2005, John Janick, founder of record label Fueled By Ramen , signed a contract with them.
Williams is a guest singer on "Fallen" by Death In the Park (which she has occasionally performed live with the band), "Then Came to Kill" by The Chariot, "Keep Dreaming Upside Down" by October Fall, "Tangled Up" by New Found Glory, and "The Church Channel" and "Plea" by Say Anything, and "The Few That Remain" by Set Your Goals, and appeared in the music video for "Kiss Me" by New Found Glory. In the 2007, Kerrang! Readers' Poll she finished second to Evanescence's Amy Lee in the "Sexiest Female" category, going on to win the first place spot for "Sexiest Female" a year later in the 2008 poll. She also appears as a playable character in the video game Guitar Hero World Tour. On October 2, during Brand New Eyes Fall US Tour, it was announced that a few tour dates were postponed due to Hayley Williams becoming infected with laryngitis. Hayley had created the song 'Teenagers ' by herself as a track for the film Jennifer's Body. The song was once played by Paramore, though it was never officially released. Later on, she was featured in 'Airplanes ' and 'Airplanes II' by B.o.B which was a top hit in many countries. On Paramore's fourth studio album, Paramore, she was the main songwriter for the entire album and had done songs with the other members of Paramore, along with the studio album producer, Justin Meldal-Johnsen. In 2013, she was featured in the Song 'Stay the Night ' by Zedd. A few remixes of the song and the single itself was featured on iTunes.
Williams has said that her favorite bands include Saves The Day, mewithoutYou, Slick Shoes, The Chariot, Now Now Every Children, No Doubt, Fireworks, Set Your Goals, Tegan and Sara, New Found Glory, H2O, Lemuria, and The Swellers.
Personal Life
Hayley Williams had been a Christian all her life and had focused many of the songs she wrote in Paramore on her attitude, her faith, and her ideas.
In the September 2009 issue of Alternative Press #255, Williams and Paramore guitarist Josh Farro confirmed they had been dating for nearly three years before splitting in the fall of 2007. "We didn't know if it would look bad," says Williams. "We were so young, and it seemed like it would look like a big joke," Josh adds. "We didn't want the band to be about me and Hayley being in a relationship together because then [the band] would be about our relationship, not our music. It distracts people from the whole point in being in a band." Their relationship was later confirmed again by Josh Farro in his "Exit Statement."
Williams is now married to New Found Glory guitarist, and former Shai Hulud singer, Chad Gilbert.
Williams is good friends with fellow artists such as Brandi Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, and several other not well-known bands, such as Fun., and The Swellers.
In 2014 Hayley had noted that she was working on releasing her own brand of hair dye... which she mentioned would have similar aspects to her hair color over the years of singing and touring. This was said by Hayley on January, though she said it was a dream that kept on going for a long time.
On January 1st, 2015 Hayley announced her engagement to Chad Gilbert on Twitter. They married on February 20th 2016. On July 1, 2017, Hayley and Chad Gilbert announced they had split up after nearly ten years together.
Awards
| Title | Award | Nominees | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kerrang! Readers Poll (2007) | Sexiest Female | Hayley Williams | Nominated |
| Kerrang! Readers Poll (2008) | Sexiest Female | Hayley Williams | Won |
| Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica (2009) | Premio Fashionista Award | Hayley Williams | Nominated |
| Shockwaves NME Awards (2009) | Sexiest Female | Hayley Williams | Won |
| Kerrang! Readers Poll (2009) | Sexiest Female | Hayley Williams | Won |
| Spin Magazines' Readers Poll (2009) | Sex Godess of the Year | Hayley Williams | Won |
| Grammy Awards (2011) | Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals | Hayley Williams & B.o.B (+ Eminem) | Nominated |
| BET Awards (2011) | Best Collaboration | Hayley Williams & B.o.B | Nominated |
| Shockwaves NME Awards (2011) | Most Stylish | Hayley Williams | Nominated |
| Shockwaves NME Awards (2011) | Hottest Woman | Hayley Williams | Nominated |
| Kerrang! Awards (2012) | Tweeter of the Year | Hayley Williams | Nominated |
| Kerrang! Awards (2012) | Hottest Female | Hayley Williams | Won |
| Shockwaves NME Awards (2012) | Hottest Female | Hayley Williams | Won |
| Kerrang! Awards (2013) | Hottest Female | Hayley Williams | Nominated |
| Alternative Press Awards (2014) | Best Vocalist | Hayley Williams | Nominated |
| MTV VMA Awards (2014) | MTV Clubland Award |
Stay the Night (Zedd & Hayley Williams) |
Pending |
| MTV VMA Awards (2014) | Best Editing | Stay the Night (Zedd & Hayley Williams) | Pending |
Trivia
- Hayley has a Twitter account, @yelyahwilliams. She regularly updates it with random news from tour, and her personal life.
- Hayley has an instagram @yelyahwilliams.
- She writes all of the songs, even after the departure of Zac Farro & Josh Farro.
- Hayley is known for her bright red hair, which has been dyed several different shades over the past few years, ranging from bright red to blonde.
- She claims to not know her original hair color.
- Hayley plays the guitar, but she does not perform it.
- Hayley was featured in B.o.B.'s new single, Airplanes. It was released April 12, 2010 for download.
- Hayley was featured in Dutch house music DJ, Zedd's song 'Stay the Night'.
- Hayley had many nicknames, such as Spongebob when she had a gap between her teeth, Hayles, Hbomb, and Hayleyball.
- Hayley's favorite movies are Wayne’s World, Son In Law, Pet Sematary, & True Romance.
- Hayley's favorite food was Josh Farro's father's walnut chicken.
- Her favorite and original hairdresser is Brian O’Connor.
- She was featured in the video game Guitar Hero World Tour as a playable character. To unlock her, the player must complete Misery Business in Vocalist career.
Quotes
- “Sometimes it takes a good fall to really know where you stand.”
- “If you ever think about giving up, remember why you held on for so long.”
- “What motivates me is seeing people in the crowd and wondering what they're going home to and what they're dealing with, and knowing that for the time being we're their escape.”
- “To anyone that ever told you you're no good.. they're no better.”
- “I’m in a band. I don’t go to church every Sunday. I love punk rock music. Sometimes I use swear words a lot. I respect and admire gay men and women. I’m obsessed with horror films. I know what shame feels like. And guess what old man? Jesus is still my Savior.”
- “It’s sad when friends become enemies. But what’s even worse is when they become strangers.”
- “Support music every day because there isn’t a day music won’t be there for you!”
- “Believe in your dreams even when they seem lost.”
- “I feel really lucky to come home to a place that is so beautiful. sometimes it's sad to leave and go out on the road, missing everything that happens here - but honestly, it's nice to miss the things that you love once in a while. so you never forget to appreciate it. hopefully, i can say this without sounding like a preacher but... remember to enjoy EVERYTHING. the things that feel good, the things that hurt, rejection, acceptance.. it's all going to make you better. stronger. and more like yourself. every once in a while i get a reminder of how much i'm okay with just being me. i know that sounds ridiculous. cause i'm in this band. we're lucky. we got successful. but who i am is still this nerdy, silly, flamethrower of a person. and it took me 20 years to see that and get it and love it.”
- “Found one of my old journals. from right around the time we were heading out on tour with NFG in the UK early 2008. i started reading it and couldn't help but cry a little bit. cause that person was really confused. and very lost. and as it went on, the person behind the pen seemed to get a little bit stronger.. that part felt good. it was the reminder that i needed that right now i'm as strong as ever. there really isn't a point to telling you all of this. except maybe i want to thank you. cause you are a constant reminder. that i'm not as lost as i once was.”
- “I make positive choices so I can be happy.”
- “When the sunlight strikes raindrops in the air, they act like a prism and form a rainbow. The rainbow is a division of white light into many beautiful colors. These take the shape of a long round arch, with it’s path high above, and it’s two ends apparently beyond the horizon. There is, according to legend, a boiling pot of a gold at one end. People look, but no one ever finds it. When a man looks for something beyond his reach, his friends say he is looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.”
- "Sometimes it takes a good fall to really know where you stand."
- "Be unforgettable".
Notes
- Some quotes may be lines from the songs she wrote or co-wrote.
Gallery
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Sources
- Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayley_Williams).
- Paramore.net (http://paramore.net).
- Hayley Fashion (http://hayleyfashion.info/hayley/basic-facts/).
- AceShowBiz (http://www.aceshowbiz.com/celebrity/hayley_williams/awards.html).
- Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/16/hayley-williams-quotes-15_n_3093558.html#slide=2344625).
- GoodReads (http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/4119881.Hayley_Williams).
- Alter the Press! (http://www.alterthepress.com/2014/01/hayley-williams-is-releasing-her-own.html).
- SugarScape (http://www.sugarscape.com/tags/paramore/655797/paramore-laugh-being-compared-avril-lavigne).
Current Members
Hayley
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Former Members
Touring Members
Former Touring Members
