Picture this: a golden opportunity to chat with your celebrity crush, and in the heat of the moment; your mind goes completely blank. For Paramore‘s frontwoman Hayley Williams, that’s exactly what happened when she found herself face-to-face with none other than Tom Cruise. In this exclusive deep cut, we’ll take you on a journey through Hayley’s close encounter with the Hollywood heartthrob, how she fumbled her chance at conversation, and the burning question that still lingers in her mind.
When it comes to Hollywood A-listers, Hayley has always had a soft spot for Tom. Despite her rock star status, she’s just like the rest of us when it comes to being starstruck by her favorite actor. In an unforgettable moment during an appearance on ‘The Graham Norton Show’ in London, Hayley finally had her shot at talking to Cruise, but alas, the pressure was too much, and she blew it.
So, what was the one question Hayley wished she could have asked Tom Cruise if she hadn’t let nerves get the best of her? In her answer to a Q&A question in 2013 to Chicago Tribune, Hayley revealed that she already had the chance to share her appreciation for ‘The Outsiders’ and her admiration for him as an actor on ‘The Graham Norton Show’ in London. However, as she stood before him, with an opportunity to delve into his experience on the set of the film, her mind drew a blank.
The emotions running high and her heart racing, she couldn’t quite articulate the words she longed to say and talk about the movie and how it was the beginning of the rest of his career and how insane it was that she had the privilege to meet him instead, she was left with the memory of their brief encounter, wondering what could have been.
Hayley Williams’ words about her failed attempt at speaking with Tom Cruise read:
“Well, I already had the chance, and I blew it because we [saw him] really briefly on ‘The Graham Norton Show’ in London. I was [planning on] asking him about ‘The Outsiders’ and things like that, and when we were standing face to face, and I was literally looking him dead in the eye, I just blanked. [Laughs.] It was over before it even started.
I really want to talk to him about ‘The Outsiders’ because I feel like that might have been one of his first movies. It was in ’81, which is when it all started for him. I don’t know what I want to ask him about ‘The Outsiders,’ I just maybe think I want to tell him how much I love the movie, and it’s so crazy to meet him.”
As we bring this article to a close, it’s clear that even rock stars aren’t immune to the jitters that come with meeting their idols. Though Hayley may have missed her chance to chat with Tom Cruise about ‘The Outsiders,’ her experience provides a relatable tale for all of us who’ve ever felt tongue-tied in the presence of someone we admire. And who knows? Perhaps the fates will align again, and Hayley will get another opportunity to tell Tom Cruise just how much his early work means to her.
