Hayley Williams and Taylor York are famously known for their band, Paramore, starting out as young teenagers in the early 2000s music scene. Over the years, they’ve shared great chemistry on and off stage, leading many fans to believe they were a couple.
Yet, the two didn’t publicly admit to their relationship until September, confirming it in an interview with The Guardian, but not going into detail. To many, it was a surprise, causing fans to wonder about the origins of their relationship, especially after Williams’ divorce in 2017.
Well, look no further, here is a timeline of Hayley Williams and Taylor York’s relationship:
2002-2003
Hayley Williams and Taylor York meet when they are 12 and 13 years old, Williams being a year older at the time. The lead singer talked about the start of their friendship back in 2016 during a Paramore show, dedicating an unreleased song, “Oh Star,” to York.
2007
Three years after Paramore’s debut, York joins the band alongside Williams, guitarist Josh Farro, drummer Zac Farro and bassist Jeremy Davis.
2017
Williams files for divorce from her husband at the time, New Found Glory’s guitarist, Chad Gilbert, after eight years of dating. In a now-deleted post, the musicians took to Instagram to make a statement, which said, “Love is an absolute risk. We want to publicly state — plainly, and only this time — that we are splitting up. We also feel it’s important to state that we are going to be okay and in fact, we remain close friends who are good in each other’s eyes.”
2018
Williams and York spark dating rumors when the two post similar Instagram stories. Williams posted a rainy sky with the words, “i love you,” while York posted another rainy sky, saying, “same” but written upside down.
2020
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hayley Williams begins working on her first solo project called “Petals for Armor.” York steps in to help co-produce the album, with fans believing many of the songs on the project to be about him. In particular, fans think Williams’ song, “Crystal Clear,” is a direct allusion to her relationship with York, especially after the singer tells Pitchfork that the track is about, “...falling in love. Emphasis on the falling — because despite my fear, my toughness, or any resistance to vulnerability, I couldn't help falling in love.”
2022
Paramore announces their return to the mainstream five years after their last album, “After Laughter.” In an interview with The Guardian, the two confirmed they were dating, with journalist Laura Snapes saying, “Today, their mutual tenderness is clear – arranged in front of the fireplace like a family portrait, they regard each other with a sort of fond awe. (Williams and York confirm rumors that they are dating but decline to comment further.)”
