Hayley Williams has hailed late ex Chad Gilbert as “a legend in the scene”.
The Paramore singer started dating the New Found Glory guitarist in 2008, and they got married in 2016 before splitting the following year.
Chad passed away aged 45 on Sunday (20.09.26) after a five-year battle with cancer.
On Wednesday (23.09.26), Hayley wrote on her Instagram Story: “Have not known what to say or if it’s appropriate.
“But I feel sure now that I want to bc life is made of the paths we cross and the reasons we cross them are infinite.
“Chad is indeed a legend in the scene and my time connected to him taught me a lot. He introduced me to people that continue to shape my life in beautiful ways, and to music and culture that has made life a lot richer.”
The Misery Business hitmaker praised her ex-husband for his contributions to “the musical world a lot of us grew up in”.
She continued: “His influence and attitude guided the genre forward. His passion for fostering the community was inspiring and sticks with me.
“I will forever be grateful that from him I gained a deeper understanding and a reverence for the community and the culture of hardcore.
“Sending love and sympathies to his family, NFG fam, and all his friends.”
Hayley previously sang about her divorce from Chad in her 2020 song Dead Horse, as she explored the end of their relationship.
She once told NME about the song: “y angst and rage has been a protective layer for the softer sadness and shame that I feel.
“Dead Horse came just after ripping off the last band-aid. It was about finding this bubbling lava underneath a hard stone. It was like digging up bones.”
Over the weekend, Chad’s wife Lisa Morelli confirmed the My Friends Over You singer had “passed away peacefully in his sleep”.
She wrote on Instagram: “On the morning of September 20th, Chad Everett Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep. He left this world surrounded by friends and family and took his final breaths with his wife and mother by his side, just as he wished.
“We are devastated and shocked by how quickly he left us, yet so grateful for how peacefully and smoothly he went.
“The amount of visitors that crowded the hospital lobby at a moment’s notice is a testament to how beloved and cherished Chad was, and always will be.
“He was a legendary musician, but his favourite accomplishment was being a husband and father. His biggest dreams came true.
“He is survived by his wife, Lisa, his daughter, Lily, his mother, Jackie, and his brother, Brian.”
The other members of the My Friends Over You group, Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, Cyrus Bolooki and Dan O’Connor, also paid tribute to the musician.
They wrote: “While we are devastated to lose him, we are so grateful for the incredible life he lived, the memories we shared, and the brotherhood we had. His influence will always be part of New Found Glory and his spirit will be felt on every stage we stand on, with every note we play.
“Rest in peace, Chad. We love you forever.”
Chad was diagnosed with metastatic pheochromocytoma of the liver in 2021 and underwent surgery to remove the tumour.
His condition later developed into adrenocortical carcinoma and spread to other parts of his body.
He was declared cancer-free in January 2022, after having “half a liver, a gallbladder and one adrenal gland” removed, but later revealed he required further surgery to remove a spinal tumour.
Earlier this year, he lost control of the left side of his body.
Doctors discovered three new tumours in his brain, leading to surgery, radiation treatment and a lengthy hospital stay.
