In a show of solidarity, Hayley Williams, lead vocalist of the renowned band Paramore, has publicly supported Chapel Lawn, a rising musician, who recently condemned unwanted physical and social interactions from fans. Taking to her Instagram story, Williams shared a powerful message: “This is something that happens to all women in this industry, myself included, as far as I know. Social media has made it worse. I am so grateful that Chapel has come forward and is addressing this in real-time, in such a real way. It takes a lot of courage, and sadly, it’s necessary.”
Chapel Lawn, whose popularity has surged recently, took to Instagram to express her discomfort, stating that she has been subjected to “too much unwanted physical and social touching.” She pointed out that this “predatory behavior” has become normalized due to how prominent women have been treated in the past. She strongly asserted that women don’t deserve to be treated this way and that harassment based on career should not be tolerated.
Drawing a parallel with the tendency to blame a woman’s attire for harassment, Chapel emphasized that the onus should not be on women to endure such behavior. Instead, she advocated for a world where those who engage in harassment demonstrate respect and allow women the freedom to express themselves without fear.
While grateful for the love and support from her fans, Chapel expressed her unease with being touched inappropriately, followed, and being subject to intrusive behavior. She pleaded for her personal space: “Please don’t touch me. Don’t treat my family and friends inappropriately. Stop making assumptions about me. I’m scared, and I’m disgusted.” She also requested that people refrain from addressing her by her real name.
Chapel’s powerful message resonates with Williams’s own experience, highlighting a pressing issue faced by many women in the industry. Both women are bravely using their platforms to address the problem and advocate for a safer environment for women in the music industry.
