Hayley Williams Says Racist and Anti-Trans Fans Aren’t Welcome on Her Tour
Hayley Williams, the dynamic frontwoman of Paramore, is setting a powerful tone for her upcoming 2026 solo tour, emphasizing inclusivity and a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination. Following the announcement of an expanded tour due to overwhelming demand, Williams made it clear in a recent interview with *Clash* that her concerts will be safe spaces for all fans. She firmly stated that anyone harboring racist, sexist, or transphobic views should not expect to feel comfortable at her shows. “I don’t want racists around, and I don’t want sexist people around, and I don’t want people there who think that trans people are a burden,” Williams declared, showcasing her commitment to creating an environment where everyone can feel welcome.
Williams’ upcoming tour will support her latest solo album, *Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party*, and is set to kick off on March 28, 2026, in Atlanta. The North American leg will feature stops in major cities including Toronto, Boston, New York, and Los Angeles, before she heads to the UK and Europe in June. In her interview, she expressed a desire for attendees to recognize the positive atmosphere she aims to cultivate, stating, “All are welcome if you believe all should be welcome… If you don’t believe that, you’re not welcome.” This message underscores her long-standing advocacy for equality, particularly in her home state of Tennessee, where she has not shied away from criticizing the state’s Republican leadership for what she describes as “blatant racism.”
Williams’ commitment to social issues extends beyond just her music. She has been vocal about her personal experiences with sexism in the industry, revealing that she has avoided playing guitar on stage due to the fear of negative comments. In 2023, she addressed the backlash she received after postponing Paramore shows due to illness, calling out the toxic behavior of “internet bros” and highlighting that such attitudes are not representative of the rock community. Through her music and public statements, Williams continues to champion inclusivity and equality, inviting fans to join her in celebrating diversity during her tour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSo5XWBUhNY
Hayley Williams
is drawing a firm boundary ahead of her 2026 solo tour. The Paramore frontwoman, who recently announced an expanded run of dates due to high demand, said she intends her shows to be explicitly inclusive spaces — and made clear that anyone who holds discriminatory views should not expect to feel comfortable attending.
In a new interview with
Clash
, Williams said she wants the tour to be a place where every fan can “feel welcome to the party,” but added that this commitment also requires her to take a public stance about who she does not want in the room.
“I don’t want racists around, and I don’t want sexist people around, and I don’t want people there who think that trans people are a burden,” she said. “I think that’s a hard line for me now.”
Williams explained that she hopes anyone holding those beliefs will “walk in the door and realise that the gang’s all here, all banded together around something positive,” adding: “All are welcome if you believe all should be welcome… If you don’t believe that, you’re not welcome.”
Her upcoming tour — which supports her latest solo album, Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party — The North American leg kicks off on March 28 in Atlanta and willl include stops in Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Nashville, Austin, Oakland, Los Angeles, and more, before she hits the UK and Europe in June next year.
Williams has long used her platform to advocate for equality, particularly in her home state of Tennessee. Last year, after declining an official state honor, she criticised the actions of the state’s Republican leadership, calling out what she described as “blatant racism” and encouraging young people to vote with equality in mind.
The singer has also spoken openly about the sexism she has faced throughout her career. In 2022, she said she avoided playing guitar on stage because of the likelihood of derisive comments, and in 2023 she addressed online backlash after postponing Paramore shows due to illness, calling out “internet bros” and clarifying that most rock bands would not co-sign that behaviour.
