Little Mix star, Jesy Nelson, thanked Liam Payne for "reaching out" to her before his tragic death.
In news which has sent shockwaves around the world, the One Direction star died last Wednesday, aged 31, after falling from the third floor of his hotel suite in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Jesy, who shot to fame on the X Factor like Liam, is yet to speak out on the tragedy. However, a video of the Boyz star has now resurfaced in which the 33-year-old says the One Direction heartthrob supported her when she split from Little Mix.
After quitting the best-selling girl group in 2020, citing mental health issues, much of the music industry was concerned about Jesy. Revealing she had been contacted by a number of famous faces, including Liam, after she left, Jesy says: "A few band members have reached out to me..Liam Payne from One Direction was one of them. He actually sent me a really nice message, just basically saying if I ever wanted to talk, he's always here, which was really lovely."
Responding to the video, which was taken from an interview with Cosmopolitan magazine, one fan wrote: "Thank you Liam for reaching out to our Jesy," followed by a heart and a dove emoji."
Like Jesy, Liam had a well-documented struggle with his mental health. The dad-of-one spoke openly about his struggles with fame and dealing with substance abuse.
Now, the star's fans have launched a petition calling for new laws to protect musicians' mental health. The campaign, which has already gathered over 17,000 signatures and aims to reach 25,000, is calling for government intervention to ensure the mental wellbeing of performers. This includes regular mental health check-ups, designated rest periods and ongoing support throughout their careers.
The Casa Sur Hotel in Argentina, where Liam was staying last week, had previously called the police about "an aggressive man, who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol". Following his death, which is currently being treated as 'inconclusive', there has been an outcry among Liam's fans for better care for artists.
It is stated in the petition: "The entertainment industry, acclaimed for its glamour and stardom, is equally infamous for the enormous pressure it exerts on the mental health of artists. Resultant issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, substance misuse and even suicide are alarmingly high," reports OK!.
It goes on to say: "According to research, performers are 2-3 times more likely to suffer from these issues compared to the general population." The petition ends by urging lawmakers to create legislation that protects the mental health of artists within the industry.
The petition concluded with a heartfelt appeal: "Such a law would necessitate regular mental health check-ups, adequate rest periods, and the presence of mental health professionals on-set, including any ongoing support during their career. It will ensure a healthier, safer, and more conducive working environment for artists to cultivate their talents reducing phycological distress."
* If you, or someone you know, have been affected by any issues raised in this article, support and information is available from the Samaritans by calling 116 123.
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