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Discover Deep Transformational Life Coaching in Williams, AZ
Living the human experience is a beautiful, complex journey. It's filled with peaks and valleys of pleasure and pain, both physical and emotional. It seems so simple when we're children, but things change as we grow: we begin to form our own opinions, develop romantic relationships, build a career, and work our way through life. With age comes maturity and personal development, but all too often, we grow older without learning how to manage and accept our emotions, thoughts, and relationships. This causes us to get stuck, and for some, they then stay stuck - trapped in a vicious cycle of self-doubt, judgement and negativity.
Sound familiar? If so, ask yourself if you are suffering from any of the following:
- Unresolved childhood trauma
- Grief, loss, and betrayals in life that you can't get past
- Harmful patterns that keep you stuck in a rut, with no hope of moving forward
- Anxiety about your personal or work life
- Anger, insecurity, and stress that gets the best of you
- Codependency and people pleasing-problems that leave you emotionally bankrupt
- Family or romantic relationship issues that you can't handle or resolve
- Negative thoughts and self-criticizing problems equating to "I'm not good enough" and "I can't succeed."
- Overthinking and racing thoughts that distract you during the day and keep you up at night
- Lack of motivation or purpose in your life
- Low self-worth, self-love, and lack of personal development
If you're struggling because you aren't sure what to do next or how to change your life for the better, know that you aren't alone. Millions of people just like you aren't where they want to be in life. Fortunately, your personal growth life coach in Williams, AZ, is here to help you reimagine, refocus, and rebuild your life for the better.
Life Coach Services
- Discover Deep Transformational Life Coaching in Williams, AZ
- We All Suffer at Times. Now, Let's Do Something About It
- The Christy Maxey Difference
- Men's Personal Development Growth Coaching in Williams, AZ
- Women's Personal Development Growth Coaching in Williams, AZ
- EMDR Therapy in Williams, AZ
- Break Out of Your Cage and Be Proud of Your True Self
Services Area


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We All Suffer at Times. Now, Lets Do Something About It
If you're reading this page, chances are you're not exactly happy with how your life is going. And that's okay. You're in a safe place.
Finding the right person to speak with about the personal growth issues in your life is challenging. Some life coaches in Williams only see you as a transaction - a means to make money and provide unhelpful, mediocre services. Christy Maxey is the anthesis of uneducated, fly-by-night life coaches. She has worked with thousands of people just like you and has built a reputation of helping people as their life coach in Williams and throughout Arizona, as well as with clients all over the world.
As a former therapist, Christy uses an effective system of evidenced-based concepts, tools, and exercises like trauma-informed coaching, inner child healing and EMDR to uncover true self-worth. Christy's signature system, the Maxx Method, helps develop emotional intelligence and provides life-long skills that will help guide you in relationships with yourself and others.
Remember: you are not broken YOU ARE NOT BROKEN. There is nothing wrong with you. And, it doesn't have to take years of therapy to get the results you are hoping for


The Maxx Method Difference
Many people use go to therapy but see few results. They've tried reading books, listening to podcasts, and maybe even hired a life coach. But at the end of the day, they're still struggling with root issues that cause stress, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness.
Christy Maxey has developed The Maxx Method, an evidenced-based path to Personal Development, Healing and Emotional Intelligence. When you work with Christy Maxey as your life coach, you will spend your time together getting to the root cause of your problems. You'll answer questions like:
- How are you holding yourself back?
- What limiting beliefs do you have?
- What are you resisting?
- How are self-doubt and judgment keeping you stuck?
- How is your past STILL affecting you now?
- Where is your anxiety coming from?
Often, we don't know the answers to these questions without help. Unfortunately, many therapists and life coaches in Williams, AZ lack focus. They encourage you to talk about your day, week, and month. They get a general sense of what is bothering you, but before any real work is done, your therapy session is over. In the end, you see few results and you're left reeling with more anxiety and stress than before.
Clients choose Christy Maxey as their personal development life coach because she gets right to the issues without wasting your time. She pulls on her vast experience to heal men and women of all ages, using traditional techniques from psychology and psychotherapy combined with results-oriented coaching. Christy always emphasizes honesty, compassion, and accountability, so you get real benefits and real efficiency with her coaching.
If you're ready to be re-introduced to your authentic self, your journey starts here.
Men's Personal Development Growth Coaching in Williams, AZ
Men in today's society often fight against strong feelings of stress, anger, and self-defeating patterns that keep them stuck in a rut. Unfortunately, many men are socialized to ignore their feelings and inner experiences. As a men's therapist and life coach for more than 20 years, Christy Maxey has the techniques and experience to break down the barriers keeping men from living the life they want.
Men deserve compassion, but they also deserve high expectations and positive confrontation when necessary. Unlike some life coaches in Williams, Christy's approach doesn't allow men to hide behind insecurity and grandiosity. Male clients choose Christy because she pushes them to live to their true potential without wasting time.

Coaching Men with Relationship Issues
Relationships don't always come easily and we are not taught how to have healthy, secure relationships. Challenges can be hard to overcome without help. If any of the following problems sound familiar, life coaching with Christy Maxey could be the solution:
- Difficult Relating to Partner
- Repeating Negative Patterns in Relationships
- Feelings of Loneliness
- Feeling Misunderstood

Coaching Men with Stress
Stress is the leading root cause of disease. Although men are taught to "just deal with it," that's not the best answer. With Christy Maxey as your life coach, you can address issues with:
- No Appreciation for Hard Work
- Pleasing Everyone Except Yourself
- Exhaustion without Physical Activity
- Feelings of Unhappiness and Lack of Motivation

Coaching Men with Anger
It's no wonder that men suffer from aggression and anger when we tell them to turn off their emotions. Life coaching can help you overcome:
- Aggressive Behavior
- Outbursts of Anger
- Career Issues
- Relationship Issues
- Verbal Aggression and Abuse
If you're a man open to working through your problems to better yourself, there's good news. Christy Maxey's proven, efficient life coaching system can help you be the father, husband, friend, and self that you truly want to be. With the right tools and guidance, you can live life with less anger and stress. And with the right tools, you can focus on finding your voice without resorting to aggression.
Women's Personal Development Growth Coaching in Williams, AZ
Women are beautiful, unique individuals. But many seem to suffer from the same universal theme - an inner critic that hinders true growth and sabotages them from a fulfilling, happy life.
As a therapist, Christy Maxey spent much of her time working directly with women just like you. Christy combines an incredible depth of knowledge and guidance with life coaching energy, uncovering your true potential as a woman, free of dysfunction.
Unfortunately, no matter what women do as mothers and employees, many believe that they're never good enough. They feel like they're not worthy, not lovable, and not strong.
If you feel like you're unworthy of success and happiness, it's time for a change. It's time to look in the mirror and take care of yourself, not someone else.
If you're ready to reclaim the life you deserve, your journey to success starts with women's life coaching in Williams. Here are just a few areas that Christy Maxey helps women break free of the chains that keep them down:


Coaching Women Suffering from Pleasing & Codependency
Many women today do everything for everybody else but don't take time to heal or explore personal development. Personal development growth coaching from Christy Maxey can help you address these common issues:
- Self-Medicating to Cover Up Feelings of Inadequacy
- Feeling like You've Lost Yourself
- People Taking Advantage of Your Kindness
- Over-Providing for Others

Coaching Women with Unpleasant Emotions
Many women are unsure of how to untangle the mess of emotions they go through. Life coaching in Williams can help you manage your emotions and find the clarity and love you need in your life. Does this sound like you?
- Feelings of Shame and Guilt
- Issues with Your Career or Job
- Unhappiness with Others' Behaviors
- Bouts of Sobbing That Lead to Anxiety and Depression

Coaching Women with Self-Confidence Issues
Though every life is valuable, society triggers many women to de-value themselves as they grow older. One of the core components of Christy's life coaching is to help women value who they are. Self-confidence can help by:
- Highlighting Positive Attributes Over Shortcomings
- Finding Solutions to Confidence Issues
- Teaching You How to Love Yourself, Flaws and All
- Giving You the Tools to Assert Yourself Without Guilt
If you're a woman and you're ready for change, we've got great news. Women's coaching with Christy is all about change and focus. It's active and experiential coaching that will keep you engaged and accountable to yourself. The result? A life bursting with happiness, fulfillment, and joy.
EMDR Coaching in Williams, AZ
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing, is a powerful technique used to heal people from distressing and disturbing life experiences. EMDR Coaching with Christy Maxey allows the mind to heal from psychological trauma much quicker than traditional therapy methods.
When we go through traumatic experiences, we often associate those events with negative beliefs and emotions like feelings of shame, anger, and inadequacy. EMDR helps the mind reprocess the life-changing event, allowing the client to heal and live a life they love.
Is EMDR Right for You?
Many people are reluctant to try EMDR because of poor results from previous attempts. Christy Maxey's EMDR Coaching includes guided visualization and inner child healing for a more robust approach. This tactic is part of Christy's Maxx Method - a life-changing framework for personal development.
What is the Maxx Method?
You may have received help from a therapist or life coach in Williams, AZ, in the past, only to fall back into bad habits and self-destruction. If that sounds like you, chances are you never addressed the underlying cause of your problems. You cut the weed but never removed the root.
The Maxx Method is a six-part holistic system of evidenced-based tools, exercises, and concepts, developed to help you achieve maximized personal development.
EMDR and the Maxx Method are not only used for extreme traumas. They can be very helpful for common memories and events that foster feelings of low self-esteem and powerlessness, too. These methods were developed to help manage unpleasant emotions, show you how to find deep love, and heal old wounds that keep you stuck.
EMDR and the Maxx Method could be right for you if you have experienced:
- Social Anxiety
- Loss, Betrayal, and Grief
- Negative Core Beliefs
- Hurt, Anger, and Sadness
- Overthinking
- Low Self-Esteem
- Lack of Confidence

Break Out of Your Comfort Zone and Be Proud of Your True Self
The world is changing. People are finally learning how to manage their own human experiences. But we can't do it alone. Christy Maxey is here to guide you on the path to a positive, guilt-free life. If you're ready to look inward, find peace, and develop the skills to love your true self, you're in the right place. After all, you've been suffering long enough.
When you work with Christy, you'll be on a fast track to the truth - no beating around the bush or wasting time. Christy's methods are gentle but firm, compassionate yet driven. You will learn, you will transform, and you will be happy because it's you who did the work. It's time to face your fears head-on, so you can't play the victim card anymore. You're capable of great relationships, healthy self-confidence, and of doing something with your life. If you're sick and tired of being stuck, this is your chance to get out of that rut.
Ready to learn to value yourself and live the life that you deserve? Contact Christy Maxey today for your free 15-minute consultation.

Free Consultation
Latest News in Williams, AZ
Where Are They Now? Super Bowl XXXIV champion & former Rams tight end Roland Williams
Jim Gehmanhttps://www.therams.com/news/rams-where-are-they-now-former-tight-end-roland-williams
Fourteen tight ends were selected during the 1998 NFL Draft, but only one would play in the league longer than Roland Williams, who was chosen by the Rams in the fourth round out of Syracuse."It was a dream come true," Williams said. "As a kid who grew up in the 19th Ward in Rochester, New York, there are a lot of people that weren't able to have their football dreams fulfilled. It was just a culmination of a lot of work."In Williams' first season, he would be named as the team's Rookie of the Year. However,...
Fourteen tight ends were selected during the 1998 NFL Draft, but only one would play in the league longer than Roland Williams, who was chosen by the Rams in the fourth round out of Syracuse.
"It was a dream come true," Williams said. "As a kid who grew up in the 19th Ward in Rochester, New York, there are a lot of people that weren't able to have their football dreams fulfilled. It was just a culmination of a lot of work."
In Williams' first season, he would be named as the team's Rookie of the Year. However, it was a season filled with disappointment for the Rams. Losing six of the last seven games, they finished with a 4-12 record.
But as discouraging as 1998 was for the Rams organization and their fans, the following season was incredible. A greatest-show-on-turf-Lombardi-Trophy-winning-kind-of-incredible. Led by the now Hall of Fame coach, Dick Vermeil, they posted a 13-3 record and went on to win Super Bowl XXXIV.
"I think the key to the turnaround was a few things. Dick Vermeil did an extraordinary job of convincing us that despite our past failures, we could be outstanding. And he told us the blueprint of how to get that done," Williams said.
"Dick Vermeil used to always say that 'the Vince Lombardi Trophy only weighs 7.5 pounds, but it takes an entire organization to lift it.' The Super Bowl for me was sort of the culmination of a life committed to football. And just a great moment."
Williams says the joy of the Rams winning their first Super Bowl has stood the test of time.
"Rams fans from across the world still remember our Super Bowl, and get so happy to reminisce on what we were able to accomplish that year," he said. "They still love seeing the ring and learning what it was like playing alongside some of the greatest to ever wear a helmet."
Playing eight seasons in the NFL – four with the Rams, three with the Raiders and one with the Buccaneers – Williams totaled 114 receptions for 1,004 yards and 13 touchdowns. What makes him most proud of his career?
"I'm most proud of what I had to overcome to make it to the NFL and the standard I maintained once I got in," Williams said. "Most people don't know I only played one year of high school football, then overcame a position change and injuries to only play a couple years in college.Once in the league, I did my best to work hard, build a reliable brand, bring a positive attitude and energy to the team."
Williams may have retired from the NFL in 2006, but he hasn't lost the competitive spirit and desire to be on winning teams.
As Chairman and CEO of Brown Diamond Holdings, Williams has become a successful entrepreneur committed to economic equity and empowerment. His portfolio of assets includes healthcare, manufacturing, consulting, technology and real estate companies.
One of his largest investments, J2 Medical Supply, is the largest African-American-owned MBE manufacturer of disposable gloves in the United States.
"Being an African-American athlete, there's a lot of stereotypes of what we can and cannot do off the field or court," Williams said. "So grateful for athletes who have come before us to show what is possible in life after sports. Syracuse legend Dave Bing, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal and Vinnie Johnson are all guys I look up to."
Williams is also is a football analyst for ABC7/KABC-TV in Los Angeles.
"Having the Rams come from St. Louis to Los Angeles was outstanding because we got a chance to become reconnected with the organization on a more frequent basis," Williams said. "I enjoy being around and helping make sure people know about and celebrate the Rams legacy. I do a whole lot of events for our Legends community.
"And I think at one of those, ABC reached out to the Rams and said they wanted me. At first, it was just the preseason. Then it went to the whole season. And now they may call me whenever there's something going on with the NFL."
Making his home in Los Angeles, Williams has three sons: Trustin, who is a junior at UCLA; Justice, who is a junior at Oaks Christian High School. A 6-foot-4, 200-pound wide receiver, he is being heavily recruited by Division I colleges across the country; and Phoenix, who is in the sixth grade.
"My three sons mean the world to me, and every day I think about how grateful I am to be a father and how important it is to be a living example of how to operate as a man," Williams said. "One key lesson that I've learned from the NFL is no matter what you've done in the past, next season is a new opportunity so you can get better and improve."
Williams has not forgotten his past and has looked to better his hometown as the Founder and Chairman of Champion Academy, a non-profit mentoring program which began in 2015, and has helped hundreds of at-risk middle and high school students.
And when Williams sees that he is making a difference…
"It feels amazing," he said. "Our mission of the Champion Academy is literally just to help students overcome adversity to maximize their human potential. And it's so important that we're here."
The Eagles may be the perfect place for Greedy Williams to “reset”
Bryan Cameronhttps://phillysportsnetwork.com/2023/03/21/eagles-greedy-williams-reset/
Note: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links, Schneps Media may earn a commission.The Eagles have made some terrific moves this offseason despite losing several key players. One of those moves was signing a 25-year-old cornerback that is looking for a reset. Greedy Williams met the Philly media today and right off the bat, you could see just how excited he was.He was first asked...
Note: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links, Schneps Media may earn a commission.
The Eagles have made some terrific moves this offseason despite losing several key players. One of those moves was signing a 25-year-old cornerback that is looking for a reset. Greedy Williams met the Philly media today and right off the bat, you could see just how excited he was.
He was first asked to say how he ended up with the Eagles and his response was “a lot of prayer and a great fit… I wanted to be somewhere where guys compete and win. So it kind of fits me and who I am.”
That’s one thing that has been key to this Eagles’ culture. The players there are focused on one thing, winning. Which is why you see so many of them taking pay cuts just to stay with the Eagles.
Greedy is the next guy on that list but the key component to him is his age. At 25 years old, Williams has seen the ups and downs of the NFL and was looking to bounce back at the right place.
When asked about how free agency went for him, Greedy stated, “It was up and down, but you know, the perfect call came in at the perfect time and now I am an Eagle.”
He was later asked about how he felt being around veteran corners like Darius Slay and James Bradberry, Williams mentioned, “it’s my first time being around veterans with years under their belt..” he continued to go on by saying, “they can definitely teach you a couple of things. It’s just about being pro. It doesn’t have to be about football. It’s just about being a pro and how to maintain in this league.”
With the Eagles moving on from CJGJ and seeing his recent outbursts. It looks like the Eagles are honing in on guys that can be professionals on and off the field. This adds to the winning culture that they are building in South Philly. A culture that could build a championship pedigree for years to come.
Lastly was the question that has been on everyone’s mind. What will Sean Desai’s defense look like in Philadelphia and will it be an upgrade over Gannon’s defense?
Greedy was asked about his interaction with Desai and while holding in his excitement he stated, “oh we talked about a little ball. It was exciting. He’s a great guy. I’m ready to work with him.” He went on to add fuel to every Eagles fan’s heart by adding a key remark. He told the media, “you know, I’m excited man. And what he was saying, y’all should be looking forward to a great defense.”
With the Eagles continuing to rebuild their defense under the new DC Sean Desai. It will be interesting to see how many players like Greedy are brought in. We know they added Justin Evans who had a similar thought start to his career but my curiosity is at an all-time high thanks to Greedy Williams.
Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire
Another round of snow, wind causes closures in northern Arizona
Jose R. Gonzalezhttps://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-weather/2023/03/01/inclement-weather-causes-closures-in-northern-arizona/69957962007/
Winter weather bringing wind and snow returned Wednesday, prompting many northern Arizona closures and thousands of Maricopa County residents to experience power outages.“Blowing snow and slick roads will greatly impact travel today and early Thursday” by reducing visibility to a hazardous rate, the National Weather Service in Flagstaff said in a statement.Wind chills from overnight would likely drop temperatures to single digits, the weather service added.Winter storm warnings for areas above 4,000 feet...
Winter weather bringing wind and snow returned Wednesday, prompting many northern Arizona closures and thousands of Maricopa County residents to experience power outages.
“Blowing snow and slick roads will greatly impact travel today and early Thursday” by reducing visibility to a hazardous rate, the National Weather Service in Flagstaff said in a statement.
Wind chills from overnight would likely drop temperatures to single digits, the weather service added.
Winter storm warnings for areas above 4,000 feet
A winter weather warning remained in effect until 8 a.m. Thursday for most of northern Arizona. The areas affected were those above 4,000 feet near Dorey Park, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, North Rim, Sedona, Valle and Williams, according to the weather service.
Southwest winds reaching 45 mph and “significant” snowfall in areas above 5,000 feet with accumulating snow expected in lower valley areas were projected Wednesday by the National Weather Service Flagstaff.
Highway, school closures
U.S. 180 north of Snowbowl, off mileposts 236-248, was shut down, and Interstate 40 eastbound was closed between U.S. 93 and Ash Fork, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
At the Grand Canyon, Desert View Drive off State Route 64 from Grand Canyon Village to the east entrance at Desert View was closed, while South Entrance Road to Grand Canyon Village was open.
U.S. 93 was also closed southbound from the Nevada state line to Interstate 40. State Route 68 was also closed west of Kingman between mileposts 6-18. Southbound traffic was restricted on State Route 87 south of Winslow and to Payson. Interstate 40 westbound traffic was closed at Winslow as is eastbound traffic between State Route 95 and Ash Fork.
Northbound traffic on Interstate 17 between State Route 179 and Flagstaff was also closed, along with westbound traffic on Interstate 40 between Holbrook and Ash Fork.
"You should avoid traveling in winter weather to avoid situations where highways are impassable for long periods of time," read a statement on ADOT's website.
Coconino County administrative offices appeared unaffected, while Flagstaff administrative offices and nonessential services were closed. The city's website did say all available snow weather equipment and operators were in use 24 hours a day to tend to roads.
The unified school districts for Flagstaff, Humboldt, Prescott and Williams suspended classes for the day.
Additionally, in-person classes at Northern Arizona University's Flagstaff Mountain Campus, NAU-Yavapai and Show Low campuses were called off for the day. Coconino County Community College's Flagstaff campuses also did not open Wednesday.
Citing unsafe driving conditions, Lowell Observatory announced it was closed on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Mountain Lion bus system schedule remained in place with possible delays due to the weather.
Citing the projected snowstorm, Sacred Peaks Health Center in Flagstaff closed its clinics and pharmacy.
Many of these closures reflect similar activity last Thursday in northern Arizona because of the weather.
Rain in metro Phoenix leaves thousands without power
Approximately 4,000 people were left without power as a storm hit the Valley.
The storm dropped approximately half an inch to 0.75 inches of rain as of Wednesday evening, according to the National Weather Service in Phoenix.
Welcome to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour era. How her kickoff concert stunned Arizona
Ed Masleyhttps://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/03/17/taylor-swift-eras-tour-opening-night-review/70014226007/
Taylor Swift promised “a journey through all of my musical eras” when she launched her Eras Tour at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Friday.That’s a lot of ground to cover — 10 hit albums, four of which have been released since the conclusion of the Reputation Tour in late 2018.But she managed to make it look easy, enjoying the journey as much as the Swifties in attendance did while revisiting her catalog one era at a time in a marathon set that ran more than three hours and still ...
Taylor Swift promised “a journey through all of my musical eras” when she launched her Eras Tour at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Friday.
That’s a lot of ground to cover — 10 hit albums, four of which have been released since the conclusion of the Reputation Tour in late 2018.
But she managed to make it look easy, enjoying the journey as much as the Swifties in attendance did while revisiting her catalog one era at a time in a marathon set that ran more than three hours and still left fans wanting more.
Every song she sang:Taylor Swift's Eras Tour opening night setlist, from 'All Too Well' to 'Anti-Hero'
Gayle and Paramore opened for Taylor Swift's first Eras Tour concert
A clear contender for the title of the most successful artist of her generation, Swift was forced to pull the plug on Lover Fest, the tour she had planned in support of 2019’s “Lover,” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that took everybody off the road in 2020.
That helped make this perhaps the most anticipated tour of 2023, and the excitement in the stadium before she even took the stage after opening sets by Gayle and Paramore was undeniable.
There were songs from her earliest albums, reminders that her journey felt a bit more country when the world first got wind of her prodigious talents.
There were songs from “Red,” the transitional album on which she managed to rebrand herself so brilliantly with “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” and the synth-pop revival that followed with the brilliant “1989.”
There were songs from her pandemic albums — “Folklore” and its understated sister album, “Evermore.”
And she brought us up to date to close the set with tracks from last year’s “Midnights.”
Swift City?Here's why Taylor Swift launching her Eras tour at State Farm Stadium was a big deal for Glendale
'I don't know how to process all of this,' Taylor tells cheering fans
The newer albums got more stage time than the albums she recorded in her teens and very early 20s.
But as much as that suggests she may feel closer to the newer songs, you never would’ve guessed that the way she was throwing herself into vocals as impassioned as “Enchanted” or the vulnerability she flashed on the single that launched her career, an understated “Tim McGraw.”
And she definitely seemed like she was feeling 22 while singing “22,” a euphoric performance that had her doing high kicks like the Rockettes with her dancers before taking it up another notch with a joyous “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.”
There’s a reason those 10 albums are among the biggest-selling records of the past two decades. Nearly every song in Friday’s set was a hit on some level, from “You Belong With Me” and “Tim McGraw” to “Anti-Hero” and “Lavender Haze.”
But Swift’s enduring popularity is based as much on the connection she’s built with her fans as it is on her unerring knack for coming through with records people want to hear.
There’s a rapport she’s nurtured through the years, and that was very much in evidence throughout the night.
As the audience roared its approval in response to her opening song, she stood there soaking in the applause before telling the fans “I don’t know how to process all of this and how it’s making me feel right now.”
Swift City, AZ:Glendale rebrands in honor of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour launch this weekend
'I can't even go into how much I've missed you'
The stage show was designed to reach the back rows of the stadium with a breathtaking blend of artful set design — that “Folklore” cabin was cottagecore gold — and film projected on the massive screen behind the stage.
There were countless costume changes meant to complement each era, a crew of dancers flanking Swift at nearly every turn and riding bicycles straight out of “Tron” on a show-stopping version of “Blank Space.”
But Swift was every bit as good at playing to the back rows of that stadium with that connection she’s been nurturing this whole time.
Not quite an hour into her performance, Swift asked the fans, “Is it just me or do we have a lot of things to catch up on?” Noting that “it’s been a really long time since I’ve been on tour,” she said they’ve “added four new members to the family” since that last tour, introducing them by name as “Lover,” “Folklore,” Evermore” and “Midnights.”
“I can’t even go into how much I’ve missed you,” she added, “because there’s no way to verbalize it.”
It’s doubtful any Swiftie left State Farm Stadium feeling that the singer hadn’t verbalized exactly how it felt to reconnect with every single person there.
It came through loud and clear when she interrupted herself in the midst of trying to explain how much she values that connection to say, “I’m trying to tell you I love you and I’m babbling.”
Taylor Swift albums in order:Here are all her eras from 'Taylor Swift' to 'Midnights'
Taylor Swift's opening acts: Gayle and Paramore
Gayle welcomed early arrivals with a spirited opening set that bristled with punkish abandon. She covered Alanis Morissette’s iconic breakup song “You Oughta Know” before bringing her set to a crowd-pleasing finish with her TikTok-driven breakthrough “Abcdefu.”
Hearing the stadium crowd sing along to her lyrics, she broke down in tears, saying, “I can’t believe this is happening to me.”
Hayley Williams of Paramore was just as thrilled to be there, sharing a heartfelt anecdote about being approached at a Grammy party in 2007 by a woman who said her daughter was also from Nashville and just starting out and asking Williams to look after her.
That woman was Taylor Swift’s mother. Rocking a black pleather miniskirt and matching jacket with bright red boots, Williams led her bandmates in a hit-filled performance that crashed the gate with “This Is Why” and only eased up on the energy just long enough to hit us squarely in the feels with “The Only Exception.”
They may not be the likeliest of tour mates but it felt right in the moment, seeing the Swifties go wild for highlights as explosive as “Misery Business,” “That’s What You Get” and “Ain’t It Fun.”
'Taylor has anchored you to this world':Mother says Swift keeps her son's memory alive
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour set list
“Lover” album:
“Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” album:
“Evermore” album:
“Reputation” album:
“Speak Now” album:
“Red (Taylor’s Version)” album:
“Folklore” album:
“1989” album:
Wild card — a different acoustic song each show
“Taylor Swift” album:
“Midnights” album:
Reach the reporter at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4495. Follow him on Twitter @EdMasley.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
Hayley Williams Recalls Texting Taylor Swift After Kanye West VMAs Incident: 'Did Not Deserve That'
Jack Irvinhttps://people.com/music/hayley-williams-recalls-texting-taylor-swift-after-kanye-west-mtv-vmas-incident/
Remember when Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards? Well, apparently the moment sparked the beginning of her friend...
Remember when Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards? Well, apparently the moment sparked the beginning of her friendship with Paramore's Hayley Williams.
During one of Paramore's recent opening slots at Swift's Eras Tour shows in Glendale, Arizona, the band's lead vocalist recalled the beginning of their friendship and revealed she texted the then-rising country star following the infamous onstage moment.
"I remember feeling like, 'We're so little, we're so young.' I was like 18 at the time, and I felt kinda lonely to be that young and to be doing things, you know, like the Grammys and all that," Williams, 34, told the crowd at State Farm Stadium on March 17, according to a video shared by Variety.
She unknowingly met Swift's mother, Andrea, who suggested they meet one another. "She said to me, 'My daughter. She just played and she's just getting started and she doesn't really know anybody in the business. I just really want her to be around people her age that are doing the same thing,'" recalled the "Misery Business" singer-songwriter.
Andrea then gave Williams her daughter's phone number, but the Grammy winner said she was "the shyest freak" at the time and didn't reach out — until Swift, 33, had her run-in with West, 45.
"I did not text her until a certain VMA scandal. That was the first time that I felt like, 'I have to reach out because this person is really cool and did not deserve that,'" continued the star.
During the awards show, Swift had been in the middle of accepting her award for best female video for "You Belong with Me" when West stormed the stage and grabbed the mic.
"Yo Taylor," West began, "I'm really happy for you, I'ma let you finish, but Beyoncé has one of the best videos of all time. One of the best videos of all time!"
At the time, it was reported that Swift was seen crying backstage after the incident, though she had to quickly pull it together to perform the song that won her the Moonperson to begin with.
"Around that time is when I got to know a little bit Ms. Taylor Swift," continued Williams, noting that she and bandmates Taylor York and Zac Farro have since been able to "watch her trajectory."
She added, "I'm sure you know this because you're here tonight and you obviously 'get it,' but there are moments when I've talked to people that I'm like, 'I am not sure that you get how f---ing incredible this person — this artist is in history.'"
While Paramore's dates with Swift have concluded, the Eras Tour resumes later this week in Las Vegas.
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