Paramore Star Hayley Williams Tells Crowd 'I Got Ice in My OJ' Before Shouting 'Free Palestine' Live

Hayley Williams repeated two political statements during her concert at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Wednesday, 23 September, while performing her 2025 song 'Ice in My OJ.'

The Paramore singer shouted 'F--- ICE' and 'Free Palestine' during the performance, according to footage circulated online. Williams, 37, had used the same two phrases while performing the song at Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford, New Hampshire, on 14 September.

The Cincinnati show was part of The Hayley Williams Show tour. Set-list records confirm that 'Ice in My OJ' was the sixth song performed at Riverbend Music Center.

Hayley Williams Repeats Political Remarks During 'Ice in My OJ'

During the Cincinnati performance, Williams delivered the lyric referring to having ice in her orange juice before adding the anti-ICE remark. She later shouted 'Free Palestine' before continuing the song.

The remarks echoed a moment at Williams' 14 September show in Gilford. Footage from that concert showed her making the same two statements during 'Ice in My OJ,' drawing cheers from members of the audience.

Williams has also made similar remarks at other concerts. A May performance at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California, drew widespread attention after video showed her raising her middle finger and shouting against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement before adding 'Free Palestine.'

Reaction to the more recent clips has included supportive comments on social media, including Reddit posts praising Williams for using the stage to state her views. Such comments represent individual reactions and should not be treated as evidence of wider public opinion.

Some commenters also linked Williams' remarks to the controversy surrounding Macklemore's removal from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour. Williams did not, however, mention Macklemore or Sheeran in the Cincinnati remarks described in the available footage, and there is no established evidence that her comments were intended as a response to that dispute.

Macklemore Dispute Draws Wider Attention

Macklemore was removed from the remaining US dates of Sheeran's tour after making pro-Palestinian remarks during a 4 September show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Tour promoter Messina Touring Group said venue operators had told the company they would not host concerts with Macklemore on the bill.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, later said the decision followed Macklemore's recent remarks and what Kraft described as a broader history of 'antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.' That description remains Kraft's allegation. Macklemore has rejected accusations of antisemitism and has argued that criticism of Israel should not be equated with antisemitism.

Several other supporting acts, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga, subsequently withdrew from Sheeran's tour in solidarity with Macklemore.

Sheeran addressed the controversy at his Philadelphia concert on 19 September, saying he wanted his music and shows to focus on unity and humanity rather than politics. He also described the 7 October 2023 attacks in Israel as horrific and called the situation in Gaza 'catastrophic and unjustifiable.'

Sheeran has said he did not make the decision to remove Macklemore. The promoter has publicly attributed the move to objections from venues.

Macklemore later said he would donate $1 million (£754,688.50) in net earnings from the Loop Tour to organisations supporting Palestinians and challenged Kraft to match the contribution. Kraft subsequently said Sheeran had asked him to match a $2 million (£1,509,377.00) donation for humanitarian aid in the region, with each man committing that amount. Public statements at the time did not identify specific recipients for those donations.

Macklemore has since announced a 'Free Palestine' concert series beginning at Dublin's 3Arena on 26 October, followed by Paris on 29 October and London on 30 October. Organisers said proceeds would support organisations providing humanitarian, medical and other assistance to Palestinians, with additional dates, including US shows, expected to follow.