Hayley Williams Speaks on the Death of Ex-Husband Chad Gilbert

Hayley Williams has publicly addressed the death of Chad Gilbert, the New Found Glory guitarist who died on Sunday, Sept. 20. The Paramore vocalist, who was once married to Gilbert, posted a written tribute to her Instagram Stories as condolences from across the scene continued to pour in.

Williams began by acknowledging she hadn't known what to say, or whether it was appropriate for her to say anything at all, before deciding she wanted to speak. She called him "a legend in the scene" and said the years she spent connected to him taught her a great deal, introducing her to people, music and culture that still shape her life.

The singer also pointed to Gilbert's influence on the genre and his commitment to building community, writing that she carries with her a deeper reverence for hardcore culture because of him. She closed by sending love to his family, the New Found Glory camp and his friends.

Williams and Gilbert began a relationship in 2008 and married in 2016 before divorcing the following year. In a joint statement at the time, the two reflected on the difficulty of marriage and described love as an absolute risk. Gilbert had previously married Eisley singer Sherri DuPree in 2007; he had been married to Lisa Cimorelli since 2020.

In a 2020 interview with The Guardian, Williams discussed the unhealthy dynamics surrounding the end of that marriage, crediting songwriting with helping her return to a healthier place. New Found Glory have announced plans to honor Gilbert with a run of shows at Disney World.