Hayley Williams says Morgan Wallen is the ‘racist country singer’ she refers to in her song

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Hayley Williams has stated that the “racist country singer” mentioned in her song “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party” is indeed Morgan Wallen.

While speaking on the New York Times’ Popcast about her newest album, the lead singer of Paramore was asked if she would identify the person she’s referring to in the lyrics “the biggest star / At this racist country singer’s bar” from the album’s title track. The interviewer wanted to know if she would name names.

“It might be a relationship, but I keep mentioning Morgan Wallen,” Williams explained. “I honestly don’t care. You can find me at Whole Foods, seriously, I don’t mind.”

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Following 16 years as the lead singer of Paramore, a difficult divorce, and extensive therapy, Hayley Williams is now releasing her debut solo album.

As a big music fan, I remember being shocked when a video surfaced in 2021 of Morgan Wallen using a racist slur – it was a tough moment. Despite that, he’s still incredibly popular, and his restaurant, This Bar and Tennessee Kitchen, actually opened in Nashville last year. It’s named after one of his songs, and he’s said it’s meant to be a tribute to where he grew up. It’s a complex situation, for sure, but the restaurant seems to be doing well. You can find more information about it here.

A video of Morgan Wallen’s 2024 arrest for reckless endangerment is once again gaining attention this week. The Associated Press obtained police bodycam footage showing Wallen denying he threw a chair from the roof of a Nashville bar. However, he does apologize for “caus[ing] problems.” After being charged, Wallen accepted a plea deal that included seven days at a DUI Education Center, two years of probation, a $350 fine, and payment of court costs.

Hayley Williams, originally from Mississippi, connected with the future members of Paramore after her family moved to Tennessee when she was young. She’s often talked about her political views and how she’s dealt with her background as a white, southern Christian. More recently, her music has explored themes of religious hypocrisy, as well as the racial issues and racist history of the South.

“I’m always prepared to passionately speak out about racial injustice,” Williams explained in her interview. “I’m not sure why this topic consistently makes me the angriest. I believe it’s because racial issues are deeply connected to so many other things – everything from climate change to issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community.”

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Morgan Wallen has received a sentence after admitting guilt, with conditions, to charges related to an incident where he threw a chair from a balcony on the sixth floor of a building in Nashville.

Beyond discussing her time in Paramore and what fueled her recent solo album, Williams also shared how pleased she is with the wide range of people who support Paramore and attend their concerts.

She expressed strong feelings about how much work remains to ensure everyone feels a sense of belonging. She noted that the consequences of feeling excluded are frequently seen in the news. In her view, music is both the simplest and most powerful way to connect with people on a deep level – reaching their emotions and even their subconscious – and ultimately, to inspire change.

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2025-10-03 00:31