Laura Hayley Williams from Paramore has openly publicised her battle with depression which caused her to leave the band temporarily.
In The Fader, the vocalist spoke about how she struggled terribly with her mental health and how she decided to privately leave the band in 2015.
Her battle has affected her life and work in Paramore, making it harder to cope with writing new material and performing.
“For the first time in my life, there wasn’t a pinhole of light at the end of the tunnel.”
“I thought, ‘I just wish everything would stop’. It wasn’t in the sense of, I’m going to take my life.”
“It was just hopelessness. I don’t think I understood how dangerous hopelessness is. Everything hurts.”
The new issue reveals that Williams needed a break from Paramore to recuperate and get help from a therapist.
“I just was done. I thought, ‘there’s gotta be something else that I’m good at in my life’”
“Maybe it’s time for me to go find that.” she admitted.
However, Paramore member Taylor York continued to send Williams new music during her brief departure.
Williams eventually collaborated with the rest of Paramore on the band’s new album After Laughter.
The latest record deals with things Williams has battled with, such as; depression, mental health and death.
It has evidently affected fans and resonated with them as it has topped the Alternative Albums and Top Rock Albums charts.
The LP has really resonated with Williams as she stated that it did not feel right to let it go on its day of release.
“It was a heavy day because we were letting go of this thing that we felt kept us alive.”
“And I do think it kept me alive.”
However, we are glad the album is now out and we love it just as much as the fans do.
We are proud of Hayley for being open about her battle with depression and other mental health issues.
It goes to show that no matter what your status is or how much money you may have, mental health can affect us all.
It is important you speak out about it, speak to family, friends and seek whatever help you need.
Let us know what you think about Hayley’s openness? Let us know @CelebMix!
