Part 1/13:

Celebrity Political Vigilantism and the Culture of Scripted Activism

A Cringe-Worthy Demonstration at the iHeart Radio Music Festival

At a recent concert during the iHeart Radio Music Festival, Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams caused quite a stir—not with her music, but with a highly scripted political statement. Mid-performance, she interrupted the show, approached a camera at the front of the stage, and delivered a tirade against Donald Trump and his so-called "Project 2025" agenda. The segment was undeniably awkward, characterized by a rehearsed tone and a visible scripting process, with an off-camera individual holding a script for her to read from.