World mourns the loss of former One Direction member, Liam Payne

By: Xianna Bengo - 1 month ago

The world is grieving the sudden loss of Liam Payne, whose rise to fame alongside his bandmates left an indelible mark on pop music.

The singer suffered “extremely serious injuries” after falling from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the upscale Palermo section of Argentina’s capital, according to a statement from Buenos Aires police. Immediately after the fall, medics confirmed his death, as said in the statement.

In a statement to The Associated Press, Buenos Aires Security Ministry communications director Pablo Policicchio said Payne “had jumped from the balcony of his room.” Just after 5 p.m. local time, police hurried to the hotel to respond to an emergency call. He warned of an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”

The singer has previously been outspoken about his battle with alcoholism. In July 2023, he uploaded a video on his YouTube channel claiming to have been sober for six months following treatment.

Two years after Payne’s initial attempt to be on the show, the five members of One Direction formed when they all tried out for the British singing competition series “The X Factor” in 2010. Payne sang Michael Buble’s rendition of “Cry Me a River” at 16 the second time around. He was apprehensive at first, but then eventually warmed up to the cheers and enthusiasm from the audience.

Despite losing the competition, Simon Cowell and his fellow judges brought together Payne, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson to form one of the most successful bands after each artist failed to advance as single acts.

Like all of his former bandmates, Payne sought a solo career after the group’s breakup, gravitating towards hip-hop and EDM. His 2017 single, “Strip That Down,” which featured Quavo, spent several months on the charts after reaching the Billboard Top 10. In 2019, he released an album titled “LP1.” His most recent release is a single titled “Teardrops,” which came out in March.

Upon hearing the devastating news, fans and fellow artists have expressed their condolences on social media.

Singer-songwriter Charlie Puth has expressed his condolences in an Instagram story which reads, “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…”

Puth also shared a video of him and Liam laughing with each other including a text that reads, “I’m so upset right now, may he rest in peace.”

Music producer Zedd mourned the singer on X and wrote, “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real… absolutely heartbreaking.”

Payne, who was born on August 29, 1993, is survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola, and his son Bear Grey Payne.

 

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