Liam Payne's history: A life of fame and turmoil

The news of Liam Payne's tragic passing at 31 has reverberated across the globe. The musician was discovered in the internal courtyard of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, having fallen from the third floor. The head of emergency services, Alberto Crescenti, confirmed that Payne sustained fatal injuries despite all efforts to save him. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking event.

Payne's journey to stardom was fraught with challenges. It all began in 2008 when, at just 14, he auditioned for "The X Factor". Initially eliminated during boot camp, Simon Cowell later reconsidered and brought him back into the competition before he was eliminated again, with the advice to "come back in two years." Interestingly, his future love interest, Cheryl Cole, was a judge on the show at the time, a fact to which we will return later.

In 2010, during the auditions for the 7th series of the music show, Liam once more stood before the judges, aiming for victory and a chance at fame. Although he did not progress to the final stages, he certainly seized the opportunity to launch his career. Nicole Scherzinger suggested forming a five-man boyband with him, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik. They ultimately secured third place, and the world soon came to know One Direction.

Cowell quickly recognised their potential and signed them to Syco Entertainment; the rest, as they say, is history. The single "What Makes You Beautiful" topped charts worldwide, and their debut album "Up All Night" flew off the shelves. Before they knew it, they were performing to sold-out crowds globally, with hits like "Live While We're Young," "Best Song Ever," and "Story of My Life," cultivating a fiercely loyal fanbase known as Directioners, who remain dedicated even during the group's prolonged hiatus.

In 2016, much to the dismay of their fans, One Direction announced a hiatus. Naturally, this led to solo ventures, a path Liam and his bandmates had already begun to explore. He released "Strip That Down," and his name is featured on the "Fifty Shades Freed" soundtrack. Despite numerous setbacks, he released his debut solo album "LP1" in December 2019, but to his surprise and disappointment, it was not met with the anticipated enthusiasm.

In the US, the album debuted at 111 on the Billboard charts, receiving lacklustre reviews. Despite this, Payne planned another release. Days before his death, "The Sun" reported turbulence in his personal life, and his musical pursuits were "on hold." Loyal fans responded with concern, but whispers of Liam's struggles had surfaced.

In March 2023, Payne attended the premiere of "All Of Those Voices," prompting online discussions about his changed appearance. It was suggested he may have had cosmetic alterations, sparking professional speculation. A few months later, reports emerged of his hospitalisation due to serious health concerns. Previously, in 2021, he candidly discussed his battles with addiction and depression on the "The Diary of a CEO" podcast.

"I was worried how far my rock bottom was going to be. Where’s rock bottom for me? And you would never have seen it. I’m very good at hiding it. I can't go too deep into it because I don't know how I feel myself. I still haven't made my peace with it, to be honest. There's times where that level of loneliness and people getting into you every day. Just every so often, you're like, when will this end?'", he confessed.

Reportedly, Liam turned to alcohol, often drinking alone. He described it as a way to calm his nerves but increasingly as a means to cope with harsh realities. His struggles with high-alcohol beverages reportedly began during his One Direction days. On the "Table Manners with Jessie Ware" podcast, he reflected:

"I used to just get wasted and say whatever I wanted. Our schedule time was just a mess, I used to get off stage, high off the endorphins and get horrendously drunk, get up at 5 in the afternoon and do it all again." He admitted, "We were definitely overworked, 100 percent in the band, we had no personal life, I learned nothing about myself. Not a relief, it was scary at the time, but I needed it to stop," he said.

Fans have long speculated that One Direction members under Simon Cowell's management were overworked, becoming a relentless money-making machine. This inevitably impacted both their privacy and health. Recently, the architect of One Direction's success admitted on Stephen Bartlett's podcast "The Diary of a CEO" that his biggest regret is not owning the rights to the group's name. The band members hold those rights, preventing Cowell from profiting from them, though that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t wish to.

"That’s the problem. Could have made an animation or whatever, but when you give an artist the name, it’s not yours — and that’s my only regret."

Fans also pointed to Payne's erratic interviews, such as during the 2022 Academy Awards, where he appeared detached and agitated. In mid-2023, Liam revealed via YouTube that he had completed a 100-day rehab stint, noting that "the party ended for him" six months prior. Nonetheless, following his death, media reports suggest he may have reverted to old habits amidst a major life setback.

Over the years, Liam's private life has been scrutinized. In 2010, he started a relationship with Danielle Peazer, a dancer he met through "The X Factor." Their relationship ended in 2012, followed by a romance with Sophia Smith, a childhood friend. Nevertheless, the demands of One Direction's hectic schedule thwarted his efforts to maintain a stable relationship. Notable, too, was his relationship with Cheryl Cole, with whom he had a son, Bear, in March 2017.

In a "People" interview, he expressed that he'd always wanted to be a young dad and loved spending time with his son. Despite their shared joy in parenthood, his relationship with Cheryl ultimately dissolved. She later commented that she tends to fall for unsuitable men, with Bear now being the "man of her life," and she no longer plans on dating. Liam, meanwhile, acknowledged the life changes that profoundly impacted their relationship.

"And, you know, to be honest with you, it ruined a relationship for me at that point but for all the right reasons," he stated in an interview with Manchester Evening News.

In the ensuing years, the musician was linked to models Naomi Campbell and Maya Henry. He became engaged to Henry in August 2020, only for them to part ways by June the following year. They reconciled, renewed their engagement, but by May 2022, the relationship was officially over. In October 2024, Henry made serious accusations against Liam in a widely circulated TikTok video.

"Ever since we broke up he messages me, (will) blow up my phone. It’s always from different phone numbers too. I never know where it’s going to come from," she recounted. "Everything gets swept under the rug, everything gets hidden for him. I don't know who [is] behind all of this but nothing ever comes out about him."

Maya authored a book, "Looking Forward," depicting a girl's relationship with a famous musician, wherein outward appearances belied a reality filled with violence, threats, and infidelity. Speculation surrounds whether this reflects her own experiences. Neither Liam nor his then-partner Kate Cassidy commented on the allegations, despite him having dated Cassidy since October 2022.

Cassidy was the musician’s last known partner, accompanying him in Argentina for what turned out to be their final trip. Intriguingly, she departed for the United States alone two days before his death. In a TikTok recording, she explained that their trip had significantly extended and that she felt the need to return home. She did not elaborate on why Payne opted not to join her.

"I was so ready to leave. Honestly, love South America, but I hate staying in one place for too long. And we were supposed to be there for 5 days, turned into two weeks and I was just like, 'I need to go home.'"