Cristi Williams

Biography

Beginning a career as an educator in the early 90’s, Cristi Williams-Gilbert left public education to be involved in the entertainment industry with her daughter, Hayley, in 2005. Hayley Williams is the lead singer of the Grammy Award Winning and multi-platinum band, Paramore. “This adventure opened my eyes firsthand to what artists/entertainers experience and taught me how important it is to have a balanced life as well as a solid support system.” Cristi obtained her certification as a Neuro-Linguistics Programming Master Practitioner and Emotional Intelligence in 2008. After counseling many bands and artists on the road, Cristi founded a mental wellness coaching firm for artists and entertainers called Shading the Limelight. Shading the Limelight provides artists, actors, entertainers and industry professionals with the emotional support and tools necessary to navigate through the challenges and daily demands of the Entertainment Industry. Clients include and are affiliated with Sony, Universal, Nickelodeon, Disney Records, Atlantic Records, Walt Disney Studios, Hollywood Records, and TV Networks (ABC/NBC/Fox/CW/Lifetime). Cristi Williams-Gilbert has been teaching Social and Emotional Intelligence at Belmont University since 2013. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education and Minor Degree in Counseling.