Hayley Williams has spoken out about the death of her former husband, New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert, who died Sunday. In a social media tribute post, the Paramore singer admitted she put a pause on commenting for a few days because she “had not known what to say or if it’s appropriate,” given their estrangement. But Williams said she was ultimately compelled to put her voice forward to honor Gilbert’s impact on the music scene they shared.
The marriage between Gilbert and Williams was a short one — they wed in 2016 and divorced the following year — and it did not appear to end altogether amicably. But the couple were together a much long time than the marital record would indicate, with their relationship having begun in 2008,.
Williams’ tribute on her Instagram Stories reads:
“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.
“There isn’t much that hasn’t already been said about what he contributed to the musical world a lot of us grew up in. 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 my sympathies to his family, NFG fam, and all his friends.”
In a joint announcement when they split in 2017, Gilbert and Williams collectively said, ““Marriage is not for the faint of heart. There is a challenge to trying to understand your own heart in the context of a relationship… and there is goodness in considering another heart, even in spite of your own. Love is an absolute risk. And it’s up to each of us to stay hopeful even when the outcome isn’t what we’d originally hoped for.”
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