Liam Payne, the British singer and former One Direction member who helped propel the boy band to world stardom, has died, authorities informed native media. He was 31 years previous.
Payne died Wednesday night after falling from a third-floor balcony on the CasaSur Palermo lodge in Buenos Aires, in accordance with Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency well being service, who informed native tv that the emergency name was arrived round 5pm. native time. Payne died from accidents sustained within the fall, with out the potential for resuscitation, Crescenti stated in Spanish.
Pablo Policicchio, spokesman for the Ministry of Security of the municipality of Buenos Aires, stated in a press release that Payne “had thrown himself from the balcony of his room”. He stated police have been dispatched to the lodge in response to an emergency name relating to an “aggressive man who could also be beneath the affect of medication or alcohol.” Police upon arrival heard a thud and located Payne’s physique within the lodge courtyard, Policicchio stated.
The singer was in Argentina weeks after he and his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, attended an Oct. 2 live performance by fellow One Direction singer Niall Horan on the Movistar Arena. He was seen inside video shared on social media greeting followers on web site. Cassidy left Argentina earlier this week.
Payne was finest referred to as a member of One Direction, the “X Factor” success story turned world phenomenon that additionally included Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Harry Styles. One Direction fashioned in 2010 after every of the 5 aspiring members didn’t advance as a solo artist on the British expertise present and have been as an alternative positioned in a bunch, the place “X Factor” judges – together with Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger – they felt she would thrive.
Police gathered exterior the Buenos Aires lodge the place Liam Payne was discovered lifeless after falling from a balcony late Wednesday afternoon.
(Natacha Pisarenko/Associated Press)
The dream quintet, which drew comparisons to the Beatles, was identified for hits together with “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Story of My Life.” During the band’s heyday, Payne was identified amongst followers as one of many group’s quieter members. He typically led songs, together with early tracks “Gotta Be You” and “Stole My Heart”. To his One Direction colleagues, Payne was like their Gary Barlow, one of many UK’s most profitable singer-songwriters.
“Liam has that Barlow aura. He says issues like, “Come on guys, let’s go.” Let’s go.’ He is aware of it and he cannot deny it,” Horan informed the Sun in 2012.
One Direction has by no means acquired the glory of the Grammy Awards, however they’ve gained quite a few awards on the American Music Awards, the Billboard Music Awards and the Brit Awards. In 2016, the group disbanded as its members determined to pursue particular person careers. Payne launched his first single “Strip That Down” that includes rapper Quavo in 2017. His solo releases additionally embrace “Bedroom Floor” and his most up-to-date single, “Teardrops,” launched in March.
Payne launched his solely solo album, “LP1,” in 2019. “I’m doing very well, I’m really the happiest I’ve ever been,” he stated, answering fan questions forward of the album’s debut.
Liam James Payne, was born on August 29, 1993 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. He created his “X Factor” debut in 2008, at age 14, handing over a mesmerizing efficiency of “Fly to Me the Moon” and successful the judges’ approval.
Liam Payne, who was in France in March 2024, traveled to Buenos Aires to attend a live performance by a former One Direction bandmate.
(Marc Piasecki/GC Images/Getty Images)
“I’m at all times enthusiastic about singing,” stated Payne, who was a schoolboy on the time. “I ought to actually concentrate on my work. But I simply take into consideration singing an excessive amount of. It’s a dream. I’d like to try this.”
Cowell, having decided that Payne was not but prepared, interrupted the aspiring singer’s journey. Two years later, Payne returned to “X Factor” for an additional shot at fame. For her 2010 audition, Payne confirmed off her vocal chops with Ella Fitzgerald’s “Cry Me a River.” By incomes a standing ovation and validation from the judges, Payne had opened the door to a musical profession that will take him far past Britain.
In a surprising twist on Payne’s second “X Factor” journey, Cowell and Scherzinger decided he would be a part of Styles, Horan, Malik and Tomlinson to kind One Direction, one of many two teams vying for the award. One Direction didn’t take house the “X Factor” crown, however the band’s momentum confirmed no indicators of stopping.
Hugely well-liked amongst youthful listeners, One Direction launched 5 albums in 5 years, launched into 4 world excursions and acquired the documentary therapy with the 2013 live performance movie “One Direction: This Is Us.” But finally, Malik left the group in March 2015, and the band went on an indefinite hiatus beginning in 2016.
After his days with One Direction, Payne continued to work with different artists together with French Montana, Ed Sheeran and Charlie Puth. “Liam has at all times been so form to me,” Puth stated on Instagram gift shared on Wednesday.
In current years, Payne has spoken overtly about his struggles mental health, pills and alcohol. He was additionally hospitalized in 2023 with a “extreme kidney an infection” that reduce quick his South American tour. Sincerely video shared on his YouTube web page in 2023, Payne detailed his relationship together with his son and revealed he had been sober for six months.
“It feels good to be on this place and I positively do not want these issues anymore,” he stated. “The occasion’s over.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
