Jack Antonoff and Hayley Williams get real about fame and burnout

Jack Antonoff and Hayley Williams open up about the pressures of fame, creative burnout, and finding balance again

Jack Antonoff and Hayley Williams are opening up about the messy beauty of being in a band — the highs, the heartbreaks, and the creative chaos that comes with it.

In a new conversation, the Bleachers frontman and Paramore singer reflected on their shared experiences in the music industry. Both artists, known for their honest songwriting and relentless work ethic, discussed how collaboration and vulnerability have shaped their music.

“For as much as it looks like a dream, there’s so much you give up,” Antonoff said. “You live between airports, deadlines, and moments of total exhaustion — but when you find people who get it, like Hayley, it makes the chaos worth it.”

Williams echoed the sentiment, saying that being in a band means constantly rediscovering yourself through sound and emotion. “It’s the most beautiful mess you can imagine,” she said. “You’re growing up in public, failing in public, and still finding joy in every song.”

The pair have worked together over the years and developed a creative friendship built on respect and shared perspective. Both artists emphasized the importance of mental health, downtime, and learning to create for joy rather than pressure.

Their conversation comes as Paramore continues touring behind This Is Why and Bleachers prepares for new music, marking another chapter in their enduring connection to music — and to each other.