Hayley Williams

Hayley Williams

Hayley Nichole Williams (born December 27, 1988) is an American singer and songwriter. She is the lead vocalist and keyboardist of Paramore.

Biography

In 2002, at the age of 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. While still in school, she tried out for a local funk cover band called The Factory where she met Jeremy Davis. 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, and again in the 2009 poll. She also appears as a playable character in the video game Guitar Hero World Tour. On October 2, brand new eyes tour, it was announced that a few tour dates were postponed due to Hayley Williams becoming infected with laryngitis.

Williams also stated 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, The Swellers.

Solo work

As a solo artist, Williams has written and recorded the song "Teenagers," which was featured in the soundtrack for the film Jennifer's Body. She has stated that she has no plans to establish herself as a solo artist.

She is also scheduled to appear on the two-part track "Airplanes" of Atlanta-based alternative rapper B.o.B's debut album; The Adventures of Bobby Ray. Part II of the song features both Williams and Eminem.

Personal life

As stated in the October 2009 issue of Alternative Press, 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."

Williams is now openly dating New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert.

Paramore

Main article: Paramore

Paramore was created in Franklin, Tennessee in 2004, with Hayley Williams (lead vocals/keyboards) alongside Josh Farro (lead guitar/backing vocals), Jeremy Davis (bass guitar) and Zac Farro (drums). Prior to forming Paramore, the other members of what was soon to be Paramore had been "edgy about the whole female thing" of having Williams as singer, but as they were good friends she began writing with them and eventually became a member. The band has released three studio albums, All We Know Is Falling, Riot!, and Brand New Eyes as well as two live albums and one EP. In June 2009, the band welcomed Taylor York (rhythm guitar) as an official member, although he had already been playing as a touring member with the band since 2007.

Awards

Title	Award	Result
Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica	Premio Fashionista 2009	Won
Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica	Premio Fashionista 2008	Nominated
Shockwaves NME Awards 2009	Sexiest Female	Won
Kerrang Readers' Poll 2009	Sexiest Female	Won
Kerrang Readers' Poll 2008	Sexiest Female	Won
Kerrang Readers' Poll 2007	Sexiest Female	Nominated

External links

• Biography at Paramore.net
• Interview with Rolling Stone