Hayley Williams Declares She Won’t Tolerate Racist, Sexist, or Transphobic Attendees at Her Shows: “That’s a Firm Boundary for Me”
By Website Content Manager
The Paramore frontwoman is set to launch her first solo tour in 2026, supporting her new album Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party.
Hayley Williams has a clear message for her fans.
In a recent cover story with Clash Magazine ahead of her first solo tour for the album Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party, the Paramore frontwoman emphasized that she wants everyone at her shows to feel included.
“I’ve always felt grateful that our band can be part of that conversation. It’s really important for people to feel welcome at the party,” Williams, 36, told the magazine. “I’ve always said our shows are for everyone. But I don’t want racists, sexist people, or anyone who thinks trans people are a burden.”
She added, “That’s a hard line for me now. Ideally, people who hold those harmful views won’t feel welcome — they’ll walk in and see that the crowd is united around something positive. Everyone is welcome if they believe everyone should be welcome. If not, you’re not welcome.”
Williams has long been vocal about supporting marginalized communities. In 2023, she publicly opposed two Tennessee bills targeting LGBTQ+ individuals. During Paramore’s 2024 performance at the iHeartRadio Music Festival, she also spoke against the Project 2025 initiative, which opposed reproductive rights, immigration, and DEI programs.
Her new album — which received four Grammy nominations, including Best Alternative Music Album — explores her upbringing in a Southern Christian environment and the region’s racial history.
“I’m always ready to speak out about racial issues,” Williams said on the New York Times Popcast on Oct. 1. “It’s the thing that angers me the most because it intersects with so many issues, from climate change to LGBTQIA+ rights.”
Reflecting on her past, she added, “While I was deconstructing my faith around age 19, I didn’t realize how much of Paramore for me was tied to religion, a kind of God pillar in my life.”
Williams has previously released solo projects, including 2020’s Petals for Armor and 2021’s Flowers for Vases / Descansos. Speaking to Clash, she said creating her latest album felt like returning to the roots of what made her fall in love with music.
“This entire process has been about embracing truth,” she said. “It’s a lesson I keep revisiting, and in 2025 it hit me like a brick. This album was my way of processing all of that.”
Williams’ solo tour will begin in Atlanta on March 27, 2026, and wrap up in Los Angeles on May 15, 2026.