Hayley Williams Speaks Out on Death of Ex-Husband Chad Gilbert: ‘Have Not Known If It’s Appropriate’ to Comment, but ‘I Will Forever Be Grateful’

Hayley Williams, frontwoman of Paramore, paid tribute to her late ex-husband, Chad Gilbert, expressing her admiration for his impact on the music scene. In an Instagram Stories post, she wrote, "Chad is indeed a legend in the scene and my time connected to him taught me a lot." Williams reminisced about the people and music Chad introduced her to, saying it "has made life a lot richer."

She acknowledged the plethora of tributes already paid to Gilbert's contributions, emphasizing his influence and passion for the community. "The community and the culture of hardcore he fostered sticks with me," she concluded, expressing her gratitude and sending love to his family, New Found Glory, and friends. Williams and Gilbert, who co-founded New Found Glory in 1997, began dating in late 2007, got engaged in December 2014, married in 2016, and divorced in 2017.

Gilbert battled cancer for five years before passing away peacefully in his sleep on September 20th, at the age of 45.