LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Paramore lead vocalist Hayley Williams made an appearance as a guest on 'The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon', where she talked about her decades-long friendship with Taylor Swift.
The artist, 34, also talked about remixing 'This Is Why', Paramore's first album in six years, and the influence Jimmy Fallon's song 'Idiot Boyfriend' had on the rock band.
"It's not a typical remix album," Hayley remarked in response to Fallon's question on why they did the remix.
She added, "We wanted to do something where we could sort of connect with bands that have inspired us or bands that we've toured with that we really connected with and give them a chance to reinterpret the album."
Hayley Williams on friendship with Taylor Swift
Williams has openly expressed her close bond with her "first industry friend" Taylor Swift previously. She reminisced about the inception of their friendship while performing at one of the opening acts for Swift’s Eras Tour in March.
Williams disclosed that she had sent a text to the singer following Kanye West’s interruption of her acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, per People.
During a lengthy interview on Jimmy Fallon's 'The Tonight Show', the co-founder of Paramore recounted her bond with the pop star when Jimmy asked, "And then, next summer, you're going to be opening up for Taylor Swift on her Eras Tour."
As the audience applauded, Hayley smiled and nodded yes, and Jimmy termed it a "big deal."
The lead vocalist went on agreeing with Jimmy when he prompted her for more information, "But you've known each other for a while, you and Tay.."
"A long time," replied Williams, adding, "Yeah, we kind of both got started around the same time and the same age, as well. But, like, especially Nashville, Nashville's very, like, family, you know, It's great," Hayley explained.
The lead singer also expressed her appreciation for "our music community," noting that "everyone wants to help each other out."
She added, "And, so, me and Taylor met because both of us, Paramore and Taylor, were nominated for Best New Artist the same year at the Grammys."
Swift's mother handed Williams Swift's phone number early in their careers, sparking the start of their friendship.
"And, so, we were at some Grammy party," Hailey began, then recalling, "It was actually Timbaland's Grammy party. Huge. I was very nervous."
Williams continued, "But a woman came up to me and she said, 'I'm Taylor Swift's mom and, you know, Taylor doesn't have a lot of friends her age that do music. And I would love to, like, you know, introduce you guys or get your number'."
"So Andrea, the legend that she is, like..." she began, as Jimmy added, "I love Taylor's mom." "Yeah, me too," the lead vocalist replied, adding, "Yeah she connected us."
Later on the show, Jimmy and Hayley spoke about the photographs of her with Swift on the internet where they apparently pose with a thump up in all photos.
"Also, every photo of us that's on the Internet, one or both of us is like... [Jimmy and Hayley do the standard thumbs-up pose] Like, I don't know why," said the vocalist.
"It is our thing. It's just to show how cool we are," added Hayley.
Hayley Willaims says Jimmy Fallon inspired Paramore
Paramore's lead singer, in the interview, also acknowledged that Jimmy Fallon had an influence on the group. She talked about how Jimmy's song 'Idiot Boyfriend' influenced the rock band in a lengthy discussion on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'.
"My comedy song? Idiot Boyfriend"? exclaimed Jimmy. "Huge hit with the Paramore crew," Hayley replied.
"I was the influence for Paramore?" Jimmy said, stunned. "Yes! 100%," replied the lead vocalist. "Yeah. -My disc? Really? 'Idiot Boyfriend'?" asked Jimmy as the audience cheered with joy. "1,000%. The music video -- iconic," Hayley added.
Hayley, guitarist Taylor York, and drummer Zac Farro allegedly met in "either 2002 or 2003" and have been friends ever since. She was "probably 14 here," the lead singer stated, pointing at a photo of the three of them.
Fans gush over Hayley Williams
Viewers showed their appreciation for Hayley Williams as she reflected on her bond with Taylor Swift on ‘The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon’, and acknowledged Jimmy’s “influence” on Paramore.
"THIS INTERVIEW WAS EVERYTHINGGGG!! Loved to see her on the show for the interview portion! So crazy to learn what an impact jimmy had on them becoming a band! She is my favorite humannn," commented a fan on YouTube.
Another fan wrote, "The amount of charisma she has is insane."
"I get so nostalgic whenever i hear them talking about how they started and how young they were, i was 11 when i started to listen to them and now i'm 27 time flies," stated another user.
One fan noted, "Hayley’s not only my favourite singer but also one of favourite humans. She’s so authentic, open and relatable and just a beautiful soul I’m thrilled to see her interviewed on Jimmy Fallon."
