A fan from Orlando, Florida met Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams in New York City in 2013. After an energy packed sold out concert at Madison Square Garden, Williams and her family stopped at the famous Ellen’s Stardust Diner. Servers at the diner famously perform live music for the customers, and a young Lacey Elizabeth performed the band’s hit song “The Only Exception” to Williams. Lacey took a photo with Williams to commemorate the chance encounter.
A decade later, Lacey and her friends went to Paramore’s concert in Orlando, and she held a poster with the photo of them together at the Stardust Diner taken ten years prior. Williams famously invites a lucky audience member up each night to sing the band’s track “Misery Business” with her, and Lacey was hoping she might be the lucky concertgoer. Her friends lended their support by holding up signs advertising the famous diner to jog Williams’ memory. Upon seeing the photo on Lacey’s poster, Williams was struck with the memory of their meeting, and Lacey lived her dreams on stage.
Social Media Response
Paramore reunited in 2022 to release their first album as a band in several years, “This Is Why.” The accompanying tour continues to give way to several viral social media moments, and Lacey’s moment in the spotlight is one of them. The clip from the concert now sits at nearly 14,000 likes and 70,000 views on Lacey’s TikTok account (@happiestlaceonearth).
@happiestlaceonearth What a core memory!!!!! #paramoreconcert #paramore #hayleywilliams #amwaycenterorlando
One commenter wrote “the fact that you’re singing a lyric that says ‘I watched my wildest dreams come true’ and yet there you are…living a wild dream–insane!” Another wrote “this is the most beautiful full circle moment, I am OVER THE MOON for you!”
After the video gained viral traction from the perspectives of several concertgoers, Lacey posted a series of videos recounting her first time meeting Williams, and her experiences on stage. She recounted the singer being “overwhelmingly supportive” and “such a nice, positive, wonderful person.”
@happiestlaceonearth Storytime: How I got onstage with @Paramore @in Orlando!!!! Best night of my life!! #paramoreconcert #hayleywilliams #paramore #orlando #amwaycenter #storytime
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Lacey elaborated about the importance of the moment, claiming that it reignited her passion to pursue music.
@happiestlaceonearth Storytime Part 2: How I got onstage with @Paramore in Orlando! Forever a Paramore fan! #paramoreconcert #hayleywilliams #paramore #orlando #amwaycenter #storytime
Paramore’s official TikTok account left a heart in the comments of Lacey’s first explanation video. Williams is yet to comment further on the reunion, but one thing remains clear–that Lacey truly was the only exception among Paramore fans.
