Hayley Williams recently discussed her mental health, the impact of performing on her emotions, and her excitement about participating in the Eras Tour early on.
During a conversation with Amy Poehler on the “Good Hang” podcast on December 2, Williams, 36, expressed how freeing it is for fans to interpret her music in their own ways.
The Paramore vocalist shared, “I enjoy writing about things that can be quite depressing,” and performing allows her to release those emotions.
Williams reflected on how songwriting helped her through difficult times, such as when Zac Farro and Josh Farro departed from Paramore in 2010, leading her and Taylor York to create “Last Hope.” (Zac, 35, rejoined the band in 2017.)
Williams recalled, “Writing it felt so sad, and unfortunately, that’s how I felt at the time.”
She added, “I’ve struggled with mental health and have felt like not being here many times. That song expressed that feeling for me.”
Scroll down for more insights from Williams’ “Good Hang” podcast appearance:
Paramore Songs’ Influence
On the podcast, Williams noted that performing “Last Hope” at concerts makes her realize “everyone in the room has overcome so much. We’re all here, and half of us may never meet again. These songs have a profound impact.”
She stated, “I wrote them in solitude, and now I’m witnessing and being witnessed by others with similar experiences.”
Williams mentioned that concerts allow her to experience joy more than any other moment in life.
“Joy is difficult for me because I don’t trust it. I always fear something will go wrong,” she explained. “That’s why Paramore shows feel so joyous to me. I rely on other things and focus less on my own experience. When we transcend our experiences, joy becomes more real.”
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Enjoying Early Performances on ‘The Eras Tour’
Williams, a headliner in her own right, cherished her role as an opener on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
“I love it,” she told Poehler, 54. “I’ve asked my team to schedule festival performances before sunset. Nothing good happens after dark.”
She jokingly added, “I want to have a normal dinner after the show and just unwind.”
Stage Blackout Experience
“I blacked out on stage at ACL [Austin City Limits] during the last album cycle,” Williams recalled. “PinkPantheress was singing ‘Misery Business’ when I realized I’d lost two minutes. I was sick.”
Feeling Unsafe as a Teen in the Music Industry
Williams shared, “Entering the band scene as a young girl in indie and punk subgenres didn’t feel safe. I hid my femininity.”
Reflecting, she realized it “hurt” to suppress that aspect of herself as a protective measure.
“I did it to myself. No one asked me to,” she explained, noting the constant vigilance required as a woman.
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Exploring Femininity
“I wrote neutrally in my teens,” Williams said, noting it wasn’t until her early 20s during Paramore’s fourth album that she embraced her femininity.
She admitted, “I’m 36 and still discovering areas where I’m rigid about femininity.”
Williams is learning to be open about her sexuality and femininity. “It’s unfolding daily,” she shared. “Each challenge makes me ask, ‘How can I handle this better?’ Femininity often lies at the core.”
