Pharrell Williams (photo credit: kallerna/Wikimedia Commons/File)
PARIS — Pharrell Williams says everyone should be able to celebrate their joy — including Iranian youths who were arrested for posting an Internet video of them dancing to his song “Happy.”
Some in Iran see the video as promoting the spread of Western culture. Iranian laws ban women from dancing in public or appearing outside with their heads uncovered.
Williams says he has “the utmost respect for people’s religious views” and doesn’t know much about Iranian law.
But he added: “The present is a gift, and if you just want to celebrate your happiness, you should be allowed to do that.”
Iranian Pharrell Williams fans dance in their rendition of the singer’s hit song, ‘Happy.’ (photo credit: screenshot via YouTube)
Speaking at an exhibit opening in Paris on Monday, he said, “They are just dancing.”
Get The Times of Israel's Daily Editionby email and never miss our top stories
Fans have posted similar “Happy” videos from around the world, showing people dancing down streets.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.
Advertisement
Is our live election coverage important to you?
Are you relying on The Times of Israel for accurate and timely coverage of the 2026 Israeli election? If so, please join The Times of Israel Community. For as little as $6/month, you will:
Support our independent journalists who are working around the clock to report political developments as they unfold;
Read ToI with a clear, ads-free experience on our site, apps and podcasts; and
Gain access to exclusive content shared only with the ToI Community, including our DocuNationstreaming film series and weekly letters from founding editor David Horovitz.
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you, David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
