"I Didn't Laugh For A Long Time": Hayley Williams Opens Up About Her Mental Health In Emotional Essay

31 May 2018, 17:29

Hayley Williams
Picture: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for CBS Radio Inc
Nicky Idika

By Nicky Idika

Hayley discusses what she calls a "turning point" in her life in a new personal essay written in Paper Magazine.

Last May, Paramore released their fifth studio album, After Laughter. Undoubtedly one of 2017's best releases, After Laughter's lyrics are so deeply relatable and raw even a year later.

Hayley Williams has always been a prolific songwriter and now she has opened up to fans in an emotional personal essay for Paper Magazine.

In describing the fall out from drummer Jeremy Davis' departure and other personal issues, Hayley writes "a lot happened within a short time. But then I didn't eat, I didn't sleep, I didn't laugh... for a long time."

Taylor York, Hayley Williams, and Zac Farro
Picture: ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images

29-year-old Hayley also describes what it was like going through her particular struggles while trying to work on After Laughter.

In the essay, Hayley says writing kept her alive and made her realise that she "shouldn't have ever married" her ex, New Found Glory's Chad Gilbert.

"Writing opened my heart to healing as Zac Farro bolted back into mine and Taylor's daily lives like lightning. Now every night on tour, I turn around and there's my brother back on the drums again, " she also writes.

After reading Hayley's essay, it's clear how this period she describes as a "turning point" has influenced much of the writing and aesthetics on the record.

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Check out Hayley's witty and emotional essay in full in Paper Mag.