Hayley Williams Tackles South's Racial Legacy in Acclaimed Solo Album

In August 2025, Paramore's lead vocalist Hayley Williams released her latest solo album "Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party." The album has garnered significant attention, particularly for the track "True Believer," which earned Williams her first solo No. 1 hit on Billboard's Alternative Digital Song Sales chart.

The song "True Believer" delves into Williams' Southern Christian upbringing and the apparent hypocrisy and racism that exists within certain religious communities. Through powerful lyrics, she calls out the disconnect between the teachings of Jesus and the actions of those who claim to follow him, referencing the lasting horrors of slavery and the ongoing racial tensions in the South.

Williams has long been an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and has consistently spoken out against racism. In February 2024, Paramore rejected a Tennessee resolution honoring the band following their Grammy win, citing the "blatant racism of our state leadership" and vowing to continue encouraging young people to vote with equality in mind.

As Williams continues to use her platform to address these critical social issues, her solo work has become a powerful vehicle for her to further unpack her own religious upbringing and the complex realities of the region she calls home.