After taking some heat over slamming US presidential candidate Donald Trump at a radio show, Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams has shed light on the situation.
On Sunday, September 22, the “Ain’t It Fun” singer posted an Instagram story addressing accusations of having been bribed to spread anti-Trump sentiments during the iHeartRadio Music Festival.
“Remember the video of Paramore's Hayley Williams bashing Trump and spewing lies about 'Project 2025' on stage? Yeah turns out she was reading a SCRIPT. Who the hell gave it to her? Was she paid or blackmailed? NONE of this stuff is genuine! These ‘celebrities’ are merely given anti-Trump talking points to spew to their fans. It's all a big show,” the tweet reads.
“Whoever you are, i typed out my speech and had a crew member hold it near the camera for me in case i got nervous bc what i had to say was important and i didnt want to trip up in the moment,” Williams asserted. “Didnt end up looking at it though... that's because i prepared.”
“Finally, not only was i *not* paid to make the speech but we (paramore) didnt get paid to play that radio fest either. just out here kicking ass for free i guess :( thanks so much for your concern and for spelling my name right, bye!” she concluded her response.
Williams told the crowd at the music fest that Trump’s Project 2025 was his “playbook” for subduing those at the margins, encouraging voters to go to the polls.
“Project 2025 is Donald Trump’s playbook for controlling and punishing women, poor people, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community. It is time for all Americans to band together and to finally defeat the Trump agenda. And the only way to do that is by confronting him at the polls,” she urged the audience.
“Do you want to live in a dictatorship? Well, show up and vote,” she added.
The “Hard Times” singer is no stranger to standing up to racism, anti-LGBTQ+ laws, transphobic rhetoric, and fascism. Last year, she spoke out against bills passed in Tennessee, her home state, targeting drag performers and gender-affirming care.
