Jack Antonoff and Hayley Williams Open Up About the Highs and Lows of Band Life

Jack Antonoff and Hayley Williams on the Joy (and Drama) of Being in a Band LOS ANGELES - In 2013, Jack Antonoff was sitting in a car with his friend Hayley Williams when he played her a new song. The track, "I Wanna Get Better," would eventually become the first single for Bleachers, Antonoff's solo project. Williams' seal of approval was crucial, and she recalls the memory fondly. "It was one of the first songs that I really loved that spoke to mental health in the way that it did," Williams said. "I needed to say what the song said, but someone else had to say it for me, in a way." Antonoff and Williams have been friends for two decades, with Antonoff attending Paramore's first festival show at New Jersey's Bamboozle (formerly Skate and Surf) in 2005. The pair has since collaborated on music projects. The song "I Wanna Get Better" addressed personal traumas that shaped Antonoff's identity. He described it as a "fucking life story in three minutes." The track was released to critical acclaim, with many praising its honest portrayal of mental health struggles. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults experience mental illness each year. Mental health issues can be stigmatized, making it difficult for individuals to seek help. Antonoff has spoken publicly about his own struggles with anxiety and depression. He has used his platform to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health discussions. Williams, who has been open about her own experiences with anxiety and depression, has also used her music as a way to process and cope with difficult emotions. The Newport Folk Festival, where Williams joined Bleachers onstage in July 2025, highlighted the importance of music as a tool for healing and self-expression. The event brought together artists from various genres, showcasing the power of music to bring people together. As Antonoff and Williams continue to create music together, they emphasize the importance of prioritizing mental health and seeking help when needed. "Music has been a huge part of my life, but it's also been a way for me to deal with difficult emotions," Williams said. "I think that's something that's really important for people to remember - that it's okay to not be okay." Background: Bleachers is an American indie pop band formed in 2013 by Jack Antonoff. The band has released several critically acclaimed albums, including "Strange Desire" and "Gone Now." Paramore is a rock band formed in 2004 by Hayley Williams, Josh Farro, Zac Farro, Jason Bynum, and John Hembree. Additional Perspectives: Dr. Lisa Damour, a clinical psychologist and author of "Untangled," emphasizes the importance of seeking help when struggling with mental health issues. "Mental health is just as important as physical health," Dr. Damour said. "It's okay to not be okay, and it's okay to ask for help." Current Status: Antonoff and Williams continue to create music together, with Bleachers' latest album receiving critical acclaim. The pair remains committed to using their platform to raise awareness about mental health issues. As the music industry continues to evolve, Antonoff and Williams' collaboration serves as a reminder of the power of music to bring people together and promote healing and self-expression. *Reporting by Rollingstone.*