No one would blame you for assuming Hayley Williams was queer. She’s the front woman of Paramore, one of the world’s biggest pop rock bands; she’s had no shortage of iconic haircuts and colors that scream sapphic; and her personal style often skews on the masculine side. Still, she’s not a part of the LGBTQ+ community — and she just reminded us in song to close out Pride Month.
In a recent performance as the opener for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, Williams wished the crowd a happy Pride to the tune of “Happy Birthday.”
“Happy Pride to you!” she sang. “I love all my gays. I wish I was one of you!” Because let’s be real: jealousy is the sincerest form of allyship.
"happy pride to you…i love all my gays…wish i was one of you" HAAAAAYLEEEEEEY 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/QcZCrqY7FY
— apollo (@pmoreforarmor) June 30, 2024
Culture, unfiltered
Twice a week, our newsletter will bring you the pulse of queer culture, from the tastemakers to the groundbreakers.
Williams is, of course, straight. In fact, she’s dating fellow Paramore bandmate Taylor York (who’s on stage with her in the background of that clip). That didn’t stop lots of folks from being surprised to learn her sexuality through her Pride performance, and others from lamenting the sapphic icon she seemed almost destined to be.
got spent a long time crafting the perfect bisexual woman and then forgot to make her bisexual
— ivone 🍨 matthew dad bod era 🥳 (@hwrngmelldansen) July 1, 2024
i was today years old when i found hayley is straight wtf that sounds so wrong 😭
— autistic francesca bridgerton defender (@kaekaecurtis) June 30, 2024
She radiates bisexual energy
— 𝚊𝚞𝚛𝚘𝚛𝚊 🫀🕸️ (@yoursghoulishly) July 1, 2024
i just learnt hayley williams is straight
— al3x 🍉 (@444starg1rl) June 30, 2024
um
the amount of people in the replies not knowing she’s straight is low key taking me out LMAOOO look into her relationship history yall
— baxleigh (#1 drop dee fan) (@baxxxleigh) July 1, 2024
It’s far from Williams’ first time acknowledging her proximity to queerness. Last summer, she ranked the relative gayness of all her many hairdos over the years in a red carpet interview, and even she couldn’t believe just how sapphic her style is.
“Do I have any moments where I don’t look like I’m queerbaiting people?” she joked to Them. “I am tragically a straight woman. How am I making these choices?”
Whyever she’s making such gay choices, we hope Williams never stops. Even if she’s not gay herself, she’s still a gay icon and first-class ally.
RelatedThe creator of one of Pride Month’s most iconic TikToks returned with a sequel that’s bigger, better, and prouder.The girls are saving lives!