Paramore’s Hayley Williams will be honored with the first-ever Billboard Trailblazer Award at the 2015 ninth annual Billboard Women in Music Awards in New York City on Dec. 12. The singer-songwriter is the fourth award recipient to be announced, joining Taylor Swift, Aretha Franklin, Ariana Grande and Idina Menzel so far.
Taylor Swift will be honored with the Woman of the Year award, Ariana Grande will receive the Rising Star award, Aretha Franklin will be presented with the Icon award, and Idina Menzel is the award’s first-ever Breakthrough Artist of the Year. Williams’ Trailblazer Award honors a “standout female artist who breaks from convention to make a unique mark in music and pave the way for other talent.”
“I can remember a time when I would’ve been made fun of for doing things differently. Now I’m getting an award for it? This is too much. I’m so excited!” Williams told Billboard magazine. “There are women in this industry who totally bulldozed walls down for the likes of me to come along and do what I believe in. I want to be that for even one girl in the future. I can’t wait for the event next month and to high-five some of my sisters in music.”
Janice Min, co-president and chief creative officer for Guggenheim Media’s Entertainment Group (made up by Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter), praised Williams for her accomplishments.
“Trailblazers like Hayley are exciting to follow because they are risk takers, and we are pleased to honor her creativity and success this year,” she said. “We’ve watched her progress and climb the charts as a soloist and lead singer for several years, and we look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.”
