Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of death, substance abuse, and suicide.
British singer-songwriter and former One Direction member Liam Payne has tragically passed away at the age of 31. He reportedly died after falling from a third-floor balcony at the Casasur Hotel in Buenos Aires.
According to Alberto Crescenti, director of Buenos Aires’ public emergency medical service, the musician suffered “very serious injuries incompatible with life” and “there was no possibility of resuscitation.”
As the world mourns the passing of a former pop star who reached the heights of success at a young age, left her immortal legacy in music history and dealt with her own demons before a tragic end, let’s take a moment. Stop by to take a look at 10 highlights from Liam Payne’s life.
1) Liam Payne auditioned for The X Factor twice
Liam Payne first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008 when he was just 14 years old. He performed Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me to the Moon during the first round and advanced to the next stage of the show.
Unfortunately, he failed to move past the judges’ houses during the fifth season of the show. However, judge Simon Cowell asked the then-teenage singer to Cowell and then asked Liam to “come back in two years”.
Liam went on to audition again for The X Factor in 2010 during the show’s seventh season. She received four nods from Cowell and a standing ovation after performing a version of Michael Buble’s Cry Me a River. He was eventually reunited with Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Horan to form the five-piece boyband One Direction.
2) He gained early fame with One Direction’s What Makes You Beautiful
Liam Payne rose to fame with his One Direction bandmates when the group released What Makes You Beautiful, their first single since their X Factor era.
The record-breaking track cemented 1D and its five members’ status as a future musical phenomenon and also served as the lead single from their debut studio album, Up All Night.
The song’s line delivery gives Liam the second most vocal time on the track behind Styles.
3) Liam Payne established himself as one of One Direction’s leading songwriters
Over the years, Liam established his position as one of One Direction’s leading songwriters. He, along with Lewis, has co-writing credits on over half of the tracks featured on the band’s third and fourth studio albums.
Story of My Life, Night Changes, Steal My Girl and Perfect are some of 1D’s most listened to tracks, which were co-written by Liam Payne.
4) He stayed with them until the band’s hiatus
Liam Payne remained with One Direction until the band decided to disband in 2016. He contributed to the band’s fifth and final studio album Made in the AM along with his three bandmates Louis, Harry and Niall (Zayn Malik left the band in 2015).
During his time with the band, Liam was given the adorable nickname “Daddy Directioner” because it was said that he always took care of his bandmates.
Liam also joined the remaining three members of One Direction at the X Factor finale in 2016, when they came together for their last performance before going on hiatus.
5) Liam Payne launched his solo career with the 2017 hit Strip That Down
About a year after 1D went on hiatus, Liam began his solo career with his debut solo single Strip That Down featuring Quavo. The track, co-written with Ed Sheeran and Steve Mac, was released on May 19, 2017.
Strip That Down became an instant commercial hit, reaching number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 list and number 3 on the UK Singles Chart.
6) He also embraced fatherhood and became the father of son Bear
Apart from starting his solo career, Liam Payne also became a father in 2017. He welcomed son Bear with then-partner Cheryl Cole on March 22. He often spoke openly about the joys of becoming a father and proudly served as his co-parent. Son even after his separation from Cheryl.
During a 2022 interview with People Magazine, Liam revealed that he sees her two to three times a week. “I make sure he has 100 percent of my time when I see him,” the pop star said at the time.
He also reiterated how Bear “needs his dad in his life” and revealed that he’s happy “he looks at me like a superhero.” Liam calls his son “mini-me” as he celebrates his 31st birthdayscheduled tribe Birthday last year.
7) He showed continued support for UNICEF
Liam Payne showcases his humanitarian efforts through his continued support of UNICEF. She teamed up with Jack Whitehall, Andy Murray and Claire Balding to support UNICEF UK’s Children in Danger summer disease appeal in 2015.
The For You singer also took part in Soccer Aid, which raises money for UNICEF, twice. He captained Team England in 2022 and also returned to the event last year.
8) Liam Payne launches The LP Show livestream to connect with fans
Liam also launched The LP Show livestream on his YouTube channel to better connect with his fans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He hosted the YouTube show to connect, communicate and perform in a more intimate way with his fans around the world at a time when the world was dealing with the harsh impact of the coronavirus.
9) He participated in the Global Citizen “One World: Together at Home” concert
The One Direction alumnus also took part in Lady Gaga’s Digital Global Citizen “One World: Together at Home” concert in 2020.
He joined his fellow artists and musicians for the global broadcast and performed to raise funds and awareness, as well as support frontline healthcare workers and WHO amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
10) Liam Payne opened up about mental and physical health issues before his tragic demise
Liam Payne also opened up about his mental health struggles and battle with addiction before his untimely death.
He appeared on the Diary of a CEO podcast in 2021 and revealed that he struggled with substance abuse as well as suicidal thoughts during One Direction’s peak days.
In July 2023, the singer-songwriter shared a video on his YouTube channel and revealed that he sought professional help and went into rehab to fight his alcohol and addiction problems.
He also opened up about his hospitalization for a kidney infection, as well as his ADHD diagnosis as an adult.
Disclaimer: If you know someone who is having suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression, or suffering from any serious mental illness, seek immediate help from the nearest doctor, mental health professional or Contact an NGO. There are many helplines available for the same.
Also read: Did Liam Payne audition for X Factor twice? Revisiting his journey on the reality show as the program pays heartfelt tribute to the 1D star
