Hayley Williams Feels it's Time to Discover Her Identity Beyond Paramore: 'I Need to Understand'

Hayley Williams Opens Up About Taking a Break from Paramore to Explore Her Solo Career

Hayley Williams, known for her work with Paramore, has been exploring her own music as she embarks on a new phase of her career. In August, she released her third solo album, Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party, and confirmed that Paramore is currently on a hiatus. During a recent appearance on Amy Poehler's Good Hang podcast on December 2, Williams shared more about this decision and her evolving journey as an artist.

Williams, 36, reflected on her decision to focus on her solo music, acknowledging the importance of understanding who she is outside of the band. She expressed feeling a sense of urgency as she nears 40, saying, "I should probably know who I am outside of this entity." This self-discovery is central to her current endeavors, and her new album has given her the space to explore it.

Despite Paramore's hiatus, Williams reassured fans that the band has not disbanded. The group is simply taking a break, allowing each member to pursue personal projects. Williams explained that she is excited about her upcoming solo tour, which she hopes will surprise audiences and challenge their expectations of her music.

Throughout her career, Williams has often been seen as the leader of Paramore, a role she has embraced, but not without its challenges. "I feel that it's a huge responsibility to be a mouthpiece for a group of people," she said, referring to her bandmates, Zac Farro and Taylor York. "We're all very different individuals, and I want to speak for myself."

Her solo career has also given her the chance to explore new ways of expressing herself, particularly in terms of gender and femininity. Williams recalled how, in the early days of Paramore, she was often the only woman in the band and sometimes felt isolated. "I never want to give away lyrically that this is a young girl's point of view," she explained. But over time, she has become more comfortable with her identity and how it intersects with her music.

In her conversation with Poehler, Williams also discussed how her solo projects allow her to explore these aspects more freely. "I really think it is something to be the only girl in a gang," she noted, highlighting how different the experience has been compared to her earlier years in the industry. She emphasized the importance of having space to develop personally and professionally, without the weight of representing an entire band.

Williams' journey is not just about self-discovery but also about strength in her artistic independence. She concluded by reflecting on how important it is to challenge herself outside of the boundaries set by Paramore. Its really important for me to strengthen other muscles and these parts of myself that I deflated because I was scared that people were going to notice me too much, she shared.

Williams' solo efforts have already earned her recognition, with multiple Grammy nominations, affirming that her path as an individual artist is just as significant as her work with Paramore.

Author: Olivia Parker