Williams ' appearance in the song was explained by herself and B.o.B in different interviews to MTV . Williams said Paramore was on tour when she was given the song and she " liked the part too much " and accepted to appear on it . B.o.B said he has " always been a Hayley fan " and he did not expect a collaboration between them too soon . The duo did not get in the studio together to record the song , they were not together to shoot the music video , and had never even met each other in person , according to Williams . The only time that B.o.B and Williams were able to meet was when they performed " Airplanes " live for the first time together during the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards . The second time the song was performed together live was during Vanderbilt University 's Fall 2010 " Commodore Quake " concert in Nashville , TN . During B.o.B. 's performance , Williams came out as a special guest to perform the song
2010 MTV Video Music Awards
2010 MTV Video Music Awards
Airplanes (song)