Paramore Might Have Been a Boy Band: Hayley Williams Talks About How She Was Not the First Pick

When many think of Paramore, the first thing that comes to mind is the iconic vocals of Hayley Williams. Williams’s vocal range makes the music memorable. She was a female lead singer with a male band, much like Gwen Stefani in No Doubt and others. This was iconic, and a spotlight was put on Williams. However, she was not the first lead singer of the band.

On the podcast “One Life One Chance” with Toby Morse, Williams talks about who the lead singer was before her and how she came to take the role.

Hayley Williams Was the “Second Singer” of Paramore

Williams met her bandmates, Josh Farro and Zac Farro, at just 13 years old. She first moved to Franklin, Tennessee, at 13, and there she was homeschooled. She met her future bandmates in a supplemental program for homeschooled students.

Before Paramore, Josh and Zac Farro played in a band called The Flying Lawn Chairs, with their mutual friend Randall Thomas. Thomas was one of the founders and the band’s first lead vocalist.

“Randall and I were homies,” said Williams, “even after I took his place in the band, and yeah, I was the second lead singer of Paramore.”

Josh and Zac Farro asked Williams to join the band, as they were impressed by her vocals. They, like many young teens at the time, began playing shows at church youth group events and other events of that scale.

Ultimately, Williams was offered a solo-artist 20-year 360 record deal by Atlantic Records. With a 360 record deal, she would have shared profits with the label from touring, merch and other potential sources of income. Despite this, Williams wanted to play with her band. So, she convinced the president of the label to allow her band to be a part of the 360 deal.

At just 15 years old, Williams signed a record deal as the lead singer of Paramore. The band released their debut album, All We Know Is Falling, when she was only 16. Her bandmates Zac and Josh Farro were about 15 and 17, respectively.

Despite all being so young, they formed one of the most iconic-sounding bands.

“I was the second singer of Paramore,” said Williams, “which I feel like I need to put on a shirt.”