Paramore’s Hayley Williams Blasts Country Star Over Racism: “Find Me at Whole Foods, I Don’t Care”

Paramore’s lead singer Hayley Williams has openly identified Morgan Wallen as the subject of her criticism during a recent appearance on the New York Times’ Popcast.

In the discussion, Williams was questioned about the opening line of her song “Ego Death,” which mentions “the biggest star at this racist country singer’s bar.” When asked to clarify who she meant, Williams replied without hesitation: “It could be a couple, but I’m always talking about Morgan Wallen,” she said. “I don’t give a shit. Find me at Whole Foods, bitch, I don’t care. I just don’t care.”

She went on to elaborate on why she continues to speak out about social issues. “When you’re passionate about something and you really believe in something and you have the will to spread that, talk about it,” she said. “I’m never not ready to scream at the top of my lungs about racial issues. I think because it’s so intersectional, it overlaps with everything from climate change to LGBTQA+ issues.”

Williams’ remarks refer to a 2021 controversy that deeply impacted the country music world. According to the Los Angeles Times, Morgan Wallen was caught on video using the N-word outside his Nashville home following a night out with friends. The footage, obtained and released by TMZ, showed him shouting the racial slur and other expletives while approaching his driveway.

The fallout was immediate and severe. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Wallen was banned from the two largest country radio networks and a major television network, his songs were removed from major streaming playlists, and his record label suspended him. He was also disqualified from several major country music awards, including the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Soon after the video surfaced, Wallen issued a public apology on Instagram, calling his actions “unacceptable and inappropriate.” In a 2023 interview, he reiterated his regret, saying, “There’s no excuse” for what he said.

The scandal triggered widespread debate in the country music community about racism and accountability. Saving Country Music noted that artists including Kane Brown and Jimmie Allen acknowledged Wallen’s wrongdoing while suggesting that some media portrayals lacked full context—though both made clear they condemned the slur entirely.

The Popcast interview also touched on other topics, such as the current status of Paramore, Williams’ solo career, and her experience touring with Taylor Swift.