Paramore’s Hayley Williams has responded to the ongoing rumours that she might appear on Beyoncé’s next album.
Bey’s last two full-length albums were the first two acts in an expected three-act arc, with the first, ‘Act I: Renaissance’ (2022) seeing her embrace house and disco and ‘Act II: Cowboy Carter’ (2024) being her tribute to country music.
That has led to widespread speculation that ‘Act III’ will see her delve into another genre, which many assume will be rock. As soon as a week after the release of ‘Cowboy Carter’, fans were beginning to name possible guests for the record, and Williams was the top of the list for many.
Last week (April 15), Williams, who is an admirer of Beyoncé and has covered her song ‘I Miss You’ in the past, played a show in Silver Spring, Maryland and was asked by a member of the crowd whether she would be appearing on the ‘Crazy In Love’ star’s next record.
“What do you want me to do if I am?” she responded. “Girl, I don’t know if I am or not. I have no answer. I wish I could tell you. If I could tell anyone, it would be you right now. You might know before I do.”
At her show in Maryland last night, fans ask Hayley Williams if she is on Beyoncé’s Act iii album
“I don’t know if I am or not… you might know before I do” pic.twitter.com/kzrn5B794v
— act iii Updates (@B7Album) April 16, 2026
Beyoncé’s previous associations with rock music have included her close friendship with Tina Turner, her work alongside Prince and her surprise appearance at Coldplay’s Super Bowl Halftime Show. Other names fans have put forward as possible collaborators include Jack White, St. Vincent, HAIM and Brittany Howard.
In a five-star review of ‘Cowboy Carter’, which included appearances from Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and others, NME wrote: “It’s an undeniable thrill to see [Beyoncé] swing so big on a project that dares her to be so intimate and vocal-focused.”
The accompanying ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour ended up being the highest-grossing tour of 2025, ahead of Oasis’ comeback, despite the Manchester band selling more tickets. The 32-show trek totalled $407.6million (305.5million), selling over 1.5million tickets. She was officially named as a billionaire in December.
As for Williams, she is currently in the middle of her ‘Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party’ world tour, in support of her recent solo album of the same name. See all of the dates here and find any remaining tickets here.
In a glowing five-star review of ‘Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party’, NME wrote: “As with almost every era of Hayley Williams’ career, this new release has come with questions about the future of Paramore. The determined lyrics on the tender ‘I Won’t Quit On You’ should be all the reassurance worried fans need, but if that’s not enough, there’s plenty in this brilliant, swaggering new chapter to be excited about.
“These songs might be about missed second chances, but Williams is certainly making the most of hers.”
It also went on to be named as the ninth best album of the year in NME’s end of year list.
