Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams has made headlines again, this time by directly naming country star Morgan Wallen as the "racist country singer" in her new solo track. In a recent interview, Williams didn't hold back, confirming the reference on her album Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party, released just last month. The lyric in question—"I'll be the biggest star at this racist country singer's bar"—now points squarely at Wallen, whose own Nashville bar has long been a point of contention for her.
Williams has been vocal about her disdain for celebrity-owned spots on Lower Broadway, and in August, she specifically slammed Wallen's This Bar & Tennessee Kitchen as her least favorite. "When you open a business, you don’t just put your name on it," she said at the time, implying a deeper critique of the personal branding tied to such ventures. Indeed, her comments come amid Wallen's checkered history, including a 2021 scandal where he was caught on video using a racial slur, leading to his temporary suspension from his record label and widespread backlash.
But this isn't the first time Williams has shaded the country music scene's issues with racism. She's positioned herself as a outspoken voice on inclusivity, and naming Wallen outright feels like a bold escalation. The singer, who turns 37 next month, explained in the interview that she's "always talking about" Wallen when referencing such figures in her music. Moreover, Wallen's career has rebounded impressively since the incident—his albums still top charts, and tours sell out fast—yet the slur video, captured by annoyed neighbors after a night out, remains a stain that critics like Williams refuse to let fade.
Williams' confirmation has sparked fresh debate online, with fans divided on whether it's a necessary callout or unnecessary dredging up of old drama. Wallen, 31, has faced other controversies too, like recent arrests for public intoxication and a chair-throwing episode outside a bar, but he hasn't responded publicly to this latest jab.
However, as Nashville's music world evolves, these tensions highlight broader questions about accountability in country music. One wonders if such public feuds will push the genre toward real change, or just fuel more headlines.