Liam Payne, the former singer of One Direction, died at the age of 31 after a fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, with reports indicating he fell from the third floor of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel.
Liam Payne rose to international fame as a member of One Direction, which formed in 2010 on the reality competition show “The X Factor.” Alongside fellow members Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan, the group quickly became a global phenomenon, known for hits such as “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Story of My Life.”
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The band gained immense popularity and went on to launch several successful albums before announcing their hiatus in 2015. They officially broke up for good in 2016.
Following the group’s break, Liam Payne launched his solo career, releasing his debut album “LP1” in 2019, which included popular singles like “Strip That Down.” More recently, he released “Teardrops,” further showcasing his evolution as a singer and songwriter. Despite his success, Payne’s struggles and personal battles have often overshadowed his musical achievements.
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Here is more information on Payne’s tragic passing, as reported by TMZ. TMZ also obtained photos of Payne’s body after the fall, but Disney Dining will not be sharing those photos.
The former One Direction singer died Wednesday evening. Several witnesses at the hotel where he was staying in Buenos Aires tell us Liam fell from his room on the 3rd floor of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel. We do not know if it was intentional or accidental.
TMZ obtained a photo showing Liam’s body on a wooden deck at the hotel with tables and chairs nearby. We’re not showing the whole body, but you can clearly see his tattoos — a clock on his left forearm, and a scorpion on his abdomen.
Witnesses say this happened shortly after 5 PM in Buenos Aires … and that Liam had been acting erratic in the hotel lobby earlier — he smashed his laptop, and had to be carried back to his room.
Local police have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Liam Payne’s death. Emergency responders were present at the hotel shortly after the incident. As the investigation unfolds, more information is expected to emerge, including potential connections to his mental health and personal struggles.
In recent years, Liam Payne has been open about his struggles with addiction and mental health. He disclosed that he faced significant challenges with alcohol and prescription drugs during his time with One Direction. These battles reportedly culminated in severe suicidal thoughts, raising alarms about the pressures faced by young artists in the spotlight.
Liam Payne leaves behind a seven-year-old son, Bear Grey Payne, whom he fathered with X-Factor judge Cheryl Cole.
We extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Liam Payne.