Billie Eilish’s Enchanting Paris Performance: Hayley Williams Applauds Her ‘The Only Exception’ Cover

In a surprise that thrilled fans and followers alike, Eilish unveiled a heartfelt cover of Paramore’s iconic 2010 ballad The Only Exception, a performance that reverberated far beyond the concert hall.

This live performance didn’t just electrify the Paris crowd; it reached the ears and eyes of Paramore’s lead vocalist, Hayley Williams. Jack Irvin, an experienced digital journalist with over five years in the entertainment industry and currently a writer at PEOPLE, highlighted this phenomenal moment in music. Williams took no time to voice her approval, sharing a video of the performance originally posted by Eilish’s mother, Maggie Baird. “Missing @billieeilish so much! In Paris!” Baird captioned alongside the clip.

Williams, who turned 36 this June, was clearly moved by the rendition, graciously sharing the video on her own Instagram Stories. Her caption resonated with warmth and admiration: “@billieeilish i love you sweet baby b – yall did this so beautifully.” Baird, 66, joined in, describing it as “This beautiful cover of one of my favorite songs by @yelyahwilliams!! @paramore.”

The path of these two artists often intersects, having shared stages multiple times. Back in 2022, during Eilish’s headlining set at Coachella, the duo delivered jaw-dropping performances of Misery Business and Happier Than Ever together, leaving fans clamoring for more. Just a year later, the camaraderie continued as Eilish surprised audiences at a Paramore concert in Los Angeles by joining Williams to sing All I Wanted.

During a revealing 2022 interview with Sirius XM’s Alt Nation, Williams shared her thoughts on witnessing Eilish’s meteoric rise. “We’ve spoken throughout the years since she kind of came onto the scene,” she disclosed. Williams recalled her first encounter with Eilish’s artistry through the haunting tune When the Party’s Over. There was an affinity and a reflection she saw when observing Eilish’s interviews, reminiscent of her own teenage experiences in the industry.

Hayley Williams expressed a deep-seated admiration for Eilish and her tight-knit family circle. In February, reminiscing about a memorable Thanksgiving feast hosted by Eilish in 2021, Williams recounted shared moments over vegan cinnamon rolls, signifying a deep bond forged over shared experiences and values. “We had already connected, I had connected with her mom too, just about their organization that they have,” Williams reminisced. This connection only deepened what she described as an enduring commitment: “I feel like I would do anything for them.”

Williams seals her respect with a final sentiment, recognizing the timelessness of Eilish’s artistry with her brother, Finneas. “I think they’re so special,” she proclaimed, convinced that “they’re going to be around for a really long time.”

Published on June 11, 2025, 01:08 PM EDT by Jack Irvin for PEOPLE, this musical moment extends beyond another concert memory, morphing into a testament of mutual admiration between two wisdom-sharing contemporaries in the music domain.