Hayley Williams is getting real about her mental health.
Paramore’s lead singer recently talked about struggling with her mental health after Josh and Zac Farro left the band in 2010. She explained that she and Taylor York used those difficult feelings as inspiration for their song “Last Hope” on their 2013 album, also titled Paramore.
Hayley shared on Amy Poehler’s podcast, Good Hang, on December 1st that she wrote the song while feeling deeply sad. She explained that the lyrics reflect her personal struggles with mental health, admitting she’s often felt like she didn’t want to be alive.
As she put it, “That song kind of expressed that moment for me.”
The song once brought back difficult memories for Hayley, but now, when she performs it with Taylor and Zac—who returned to the band in 2017—it feels different and more positive for the fans.
She described a powerful feeling at a Paramore concert – a sense of connection with everyone there, realizing they’d all overcome different challenges. Knowing that most of them would likely never meet again made the experience, and the songs, even more meaningful.
The singer, who began dating her bandmate Taylor in 2022, explained that songs like “Last Hope” have taken on a life of their own thanks to live performances.
I wrote those stories when I was completely alone,” she said. “Now, I’m not only seeing what’s happening around me, but I’m also deeply affected by everyone else’s experiences, and it’s all coming together at once.
Hayley isn’t alone in experiencing how a song’s meaning can change when sung in front of an audience. Olivia Rodrigo recently shared that performing her song “pretty isn’t pretty,” originally written about her own struggles with beauty standards, has become a particularly special experience for her.
Olivia shared in an August TikTok video that she loves performing her song “pretty isn’t pretty.” While it wasn’t a major single or hit, she always noticed a small group of fans in the audience who really connected with it, and that meant a lot to her.
Taylor Swift recently shared that her famous breakup song, “All Too Well,” doesn’t feel as painful to her anymore.
In a 2022 interview on Good Morning America, she shared that the song now represents what her fans have done with it. She described it as something truly special to revisit and enjoy, calling it ‘pretty cool’.
For more stars who have sounded off about their mental health, keep reading…
Rapper Radric Davis, known professionally as Gucci Mane, shared in his 2025 book, Episodes: The Diary of a Recovering Mad Man, that he was diagnosed with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He explained that these conditions led to a mental health crisis in 2020.
He explained on The Breakfast Club that the experience made him realize he needed to prioritize his health and take responsibility for his well-being. He said he never wants to go through something similar again and is committed to seeing a therapist, and even taking medication if necessary.
Gucci Mane shared that he hoped being open about his struggles would help others. He also said his children, Ice Davis and Iceland Davis, with his wife Keyshia Ka’Oir, motivated him to get help when he was going through a difficult time.
He explained that his wife was pregnant with their son, and he worried about the impact raising a family would have on his mental health. He feared experiencing a severe mental health crisis that he couldn’t recover from, so he proactively began working on his well-being and seeking professional help.
The former star of Gossip Girl recently shared his struggles with body image, explaining that he experienced what he called “body dysmorphia” when he was a young actor.
In an interview with The Guardian in April 2025, Penn shared that they deeply disliked their body and wished they had a different one.
He explained that after his parents’ divorce, and following a period of depression and isolation, he began to focus on his appearance. He felt pressure to be conventionally attractive, believing it would lead to greater success and make him feel more valuable.
Despite the mental struggles, though, Penn credited his ability to persist to his spirituality.
He said that overcoming his disappointment and personal struggles enabled him to return to his work, feeling like he’d grown and changed as a person.
The Scrubs alum has been vocal about her past difficult relationship with food.
She described her struggles with food, saying, “Some people might label it an eating disorder, but it’s just how I lived my life.” On the The Funny Thing Is podcast, she admitted that food was her main coping mechanism, and she engaged in extreme behaviors because of it.
She added, “I would over-exercise, and there was a sprinkle of bulimia in there.”
Despite admitting she finds it hard to stick to a diet, she’s also been open about the positive steps she’s making towards a healthier lifestyle.
In 2017, she told Bon Appétit that at age 23, she completely changed her lifestyle by eliminating sugar and alcohol and starting yoga, breathing exercises, and stretching. She described these changes as being more effective than the medication Ritalin.
I’m an actress who struggles with eating and body image, and that’s something I’m actively working to overcome. I’m also focusing on my overall health by prioritizing healthy foods and natural approaches.
The Full House alum reflected on her mental health journey and navigating her battle with depression.
She admitted on her podcast, Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, that it’s incredibly hard to talk about, even with those closest to you. She personally feels she should be able to handle it, and admitting she can’t feels like a weakness.
As someone who’s spent years observing how people thrive, I’ve always admired those who prioritize their well-being. This Grammy-winning artist is a perfect example – she’s really vocal about shielding her energy, and one of the ways she does that is by simply not engaging with negativity online. It’s a powerful move, and she’s been generous enough to share her wisdom with anyone who might be struggling with the same thing.
When asked what advice she’d give someone struggling with their mental health, she told Vogue that patience is key. She emphasized being patient with herself, resisting impulsive decisions, and allowing time to pass. She believes that difficult feelings will eventually subside.
As people adjusted to social distancing to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the singer of “Firework” opened up about how challenging these kinds of situations can be emotionally.
She tweeted about struggling with the challenges of the pandemic, saying it’s hard to know whether the virus itself or the resulting depression is more difficult. Katy explained that she often finds solace in her car, which has become her safe haven since there aren’t many other places to go.
The model partnered with designer Kenneth Cole to support The Mental Health Coalition and shared her personal struggles with anxiety during an interview on Good Morning America.
After her panic attacks began happening again, she was finally able to understand what was going on.
Kendall explained that she experiences both good and very anxious days, making her emotional state inconsistent. This is why she wanted to get involved with this cause – she hopes to help people feel less isolated and alone.
The actor known for playing Black Adam has publicly discussed his experiences with depression and the challenges men often face when trying to talk about their mental well-being.
Everyone experiences difficult times and struggles with depression – it doesn’t care who you are. It took me a while to understand, but the most important thing is to talk about what you’re going through. Men, especially, often keep their feelings to themselves, but remember you’re not alone.
Prince Harry helped reduce the shame around getting mental health support when he discussed his own experiences with therapy in an interview with the Telegraph. He explained that talking about his struggles made him realize many other people go through similar things, saying, “Once you start talking about it, you realize you’re not alone.”
The actress from Empire is a strong advocate for seeking therapy, having openly discussed her own battles with depression. She previously shared with Variety that talking to a therapist is essential for her to cope and manage her mental health.
Taraji P. Henson founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to fight the stigma surrounding mental health within the Black community and to expand access to Black mental health professionals.
The Grammy-winning artist revealed she began a treatment involving MDMA and psilocybin therapy to cope with the effects of both an eating disorder and performance anxiety.
She told Rolling Stone in May 2025 that she experienced touring without any nervousness for the first time. She described a powerful, shared energy with the audience – a feeling like a sudden shift in pressure – that made her understand how much she thrives on a strong, emotional connection with people through her music.
She explained that prioritizing her mental well-being and stopping birth control led her to a broader understanding of her gender identity.
She explained that she decided to stop taking birth control because it felt like a break from societal expectations of what it meant to be a woman. It might sound strange, she admitted, but she felt liberated and like she could explore new possibilities when she wasn’t bound by those expectations. She believed this freedom allowed her to grow and change.
In 2017, the actress from Riverdale shared on Instagram that she battled serious anxiety and depression in middle school, and that support from her family and a therapist was crucial to getting her through it. She emphasized the importance of reaching out for help, saying it’s the first step, and reminding people that they are incredibly valuable.
The singer of “What He Didn’t Do” recently opened up about her experiences living with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) over the past several years.
Carly shared on the Dumb Blonde podcast with Bunnie Xo in August 2025 that her anxiety began around the time of her divorce during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she also revealed she’s struggled with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder since childhood.
Over the past decade, I got used to keeping things to myself and handling problems on my own. Eventually, a couple of years ago, I realized I needed to go back to therapy and really understand what was going on. I’ve actually dealt with obsessive-compulsive disorder since I was a child – it’s not something that started recently.
The actress known for Frozen has openly shared her mental health coping strategies for years, both in public speeches and on her Instagram account.
She encourages people to discover what works best for their well-being. According to Health magazine, her own approach includes things like medication, consciously focusing on ten positive aspects of life for every negative one, and regular exercise.
The cookbook author is a mother of four and has openly discussed her experience with postpartum depression, a common but often unspoken challenge for new mothers.
She explained in a 2017 letter to Glamour that it became simpler to talk about her experience each time. Her hope was to show others that this could happen to anyone, and to encourage those going through it to not feel ashamed or isolated.
While publicizing her book, Mirror, Mirror, the model shared with The Edit magazine that she struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts as a teenager, describing a feeling of “something dark” within her during that period.
Cara explained to the publication, as reported by W magazine, that she used to depend on love and other people for her happiness. She realized she needed to learn to find joy on her own, and after a long journey, she finally can. Now she’s able to be happy when she’s by herself.
Ariana Grande encouraged fans to prioritize their mental health after responding to a tweet asking about her therapist. She shared that therapy has been life-saving for her on numerous occasions.
She added, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You don’t have to live with constant pain, and healing from trauma is possible. I have a long way to go, but just realizing that change is possible is a good first step.”
The singer has openly shared her struggles and recovery related to addiction and mental health, and often incorporates these experiences into her songs.
She consistently encourages her followers to prioritize their mental wellbeing, emphasizing that it’s a continuous effort with inevitable setbacks. She previously shared on Instagram, “Remember, if you’re going through a tough time, life has its highs and lows, but it’s important to keep going.”
As someone who follows celebrity wellness closely, I’ve been really impressed with Zendaya. She doesn’t just play characters dealing with tough issues like mental health – as we saw with her powerful role as Rue in Euphoria – she’s also been open about her own personal experiences. It’s incredibly impactful when someone uses their platform to normalize these conversations.
Zendaya has spoken about experiencing anxiety after a 2013 appearance on Ellen, when her microphone malfunctioned. She shared this on an app she used to have, and has since found ways to cope with those feelings. She explained that sometimes, taking a break is necessary to reduce stress.
In a recent interview with WSJ Magazine, the singer openly shared her experiences with mental health, explaining that she experienced extreme emotional swings – periods of great energy followed by weeks of debilitating lows.
She revealed she’s been dealing with mental health challenges, but finding the right medication has made a huge difference in her life.
I’ve always admired this Grammy-winning artist, not just for her music, but for what she stands for. She’s really made it a priority to share positivity and talk honestly about mental health – and she’s been so brave in sharing her own struggles, which I think is incredibly important.
She shared that she’d kept her mental health challenges private for a long time, both when in the public eye and when not. Speaking at the 2018 Global Changemakers Award, she explained that she believes keeping things hidden actually makes it harder to get better.
Read More
- Hazbin Hotel season 3 release date speculation and latest news
- Where Winds Meet: Best Weapon Combinations
- Zootopia 2 Reactions Raise Eyebrows as Early Viewers Note “Timely Social Commentary”
- Victoria Beckham Addresses David Beckham Affair Speculation
- Where Winds Meet: How To Defeat Shadow Puppeteer (Boss Guide)
- The Death of Bunny Munro soundtrack: Every song in Nick Cave drama
- Is There a Smiling Friends Season 3 Episode 9 Release Date or Part 2?
- Final Fantasy 9 Receives Special 25th Anniversary Trailer
- Every Wicked: For Good Song, Ranked By Anticipation
- Where to Find Tempest Blueprint in ARC Raiders
2025-12-03 00:19