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Liam Payne's funeral is taking place on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. The private service is being attended by family, close friends, and his former One Direction bandmates: Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson.
Fans were shocked by news of the singers death on Oct. 16, 2024, after he fell from a third-story balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Payne, who was 31, sustained traumatic head and body injuries that proved fatal at the scene.
Three individuals have been charged in connection with Payne's death: a close associate, a hotel employee, and a suspected drug dealer. The charges include abandonment of a person followed by death and supplying narcotics, as Payne had traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system at the time of his fatal fall.
Liam Payne's Early Career with One Direction
Payne's career launched in 2010 when he joined The X Factor U.K and was placed in One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik.
Although the group finished third, they became a global phenomenon, releasing five albums and selling out stadiums worldwide. After Malik's 2015 departure, One Direction released their final album, Made in the A.M., before announcing a hiatus in 2016.
Although Payne pursued a solo career, the singer grappled with addiction and mental health challenges. Payne spoke openly about his challenges with alcohol, acknowledging the pressures of fame and the toll it took on him emotionally. The singer attempted sobriety multiple times, but fans noted occasional unpredictable behavior from him in recent years, fueling concerns for his well-being.
In the wake of Payne's death, Newsweek reached out to devoted One Direction fans, each sharing their reflections on Payne's influence and legacy.
Jazmin Williams, Cardiff, Wales
Liam was the first member of One Direction that I knew because of his previous audition on The X Factor. One Direction quite literally had an immense impact on me, from comforting me as an undiagnosed autistic person when I was struggling with life, to my dad's passing, and even inspiring my dreams to be a pop culture journalist.
I feel sick and devastated after finding out about Liam's death. I feel angry that there wasn't enough help for him, and I know that he's not the only artist who deals with addiction. The fact that there's not enough being done to protect artists when they are exposed to the world infuriates me.
I think Liam was really struggling. I always hoped that maybe he had better support behind the scenes. I always had a silent wish that he would get help and show us all how far he'd come from it. When he spoke about his sobriety, I thought that would be the beginning of a new chapter for him, so when everything that's happened recently came forward, my heart was crushed by it all. I realized that he was struggling more than his fans knew.
Celine Hormann, Phoenix
I have been a One Direction fan for 11 years, since just after they appeared on The X Factor. Liam always brought a sense of happiness; he had an infectious smile that made him so enjoyable to watch in interviews.
He seemed like a friend to me—even though I didn't know him personally—someone who genuinely uplifted everyone around him.
I was shocked when I first heard about his death. I couldn't believe it was real. I had to take the rest of the day off work because I couldn't process it. It felt strange grieving someone I'd never met, but who had been such an important part of my life growing up.
Just before his death, it seemed to me like Liam was trying to relive his One Direction days, especially at Niall's shows. Addiction is a devastating disease. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for him and for those who loved him.
Toyah Hayward, London
I remember being a fan of Liam Payne before he joined One Direction. I believe that in the band, he carried the songs. He knew how to harmonize with everyone, and could always recognize when things went "wrong" or sideways.
He took care of the band when they needed it. It was nice to see that he had his heart in the right place when it came to those closest to him.
I am depressed to find out about his death. I was heartbroken—it was shocking. I haven't been the same since; I'm still mourning someone from my childhood. I feel like the media tried to get stories out of him. He was picked on a lot and got kicked while he was down. I believe if he was taken care of a little more, he'd still be here.
Sara Padilla, Albuquerque
Liam Payne taught me to not be afraid to be open about your demons. His death really affected me in a way I didn't expect it to. It brought back memories and reopened old wounds about the times I spent with a friend—someone I used to go see Liam in concert with—who passed away a few years ago. My mom loved listening to One Direction with me, and I always used to play their songs while growing up. Liam was far too young to go the way he did and I wish he was able to find some sort of peace.
Michael Beveraggi, Houston
Liam particularly influenced me in a lot of ways. One Direction was all I listened to from about 2015-2020.
Liam's voice to me was the glue that kept together so many songs that became soundtracks of my life. There was no one's voice you heard more at the opening of songs, the start of 4 minutes that I really needed to keep my anxiety grounded.
I could always count on him. I saw him live at the only solo show he ever ended up doing, at the Beacon Theater in NY in 2018. He didn't even have a solo album out yet. You just knew you could count on his ability to put on a great show, he was the most natural on stage from the very beginning of the band.
The ability to take a talent and unabashedly share it with the world is something I really try and draw from in my personal life.
I was devastated by his death. I was also incredibly confused. I'm experiencing a grief that I'm not quite sure I've still come to terms with. This is someone I wholeheartedly supported throughout his solo journey, but the setbacks along the way left me not only disappointed but genuinely frustrated.
I want nothing more than to let go of all that anger I ever felt and embrace him. Help him, because it was clear he was struggling. I feel like he was consumed by a machine, and when it finally released him, he struggled to regain his footing as a person. What I do know for certain is that he will always hold a special place in my heart.
Ibby Morris, Atlanta
I've been a fan of Liam Payne since the fall of 2011. My middle school band had us learn to perform One Direction's 'What Makes You Beautiful'. I'd heard the group before, but there was something about performing it just like One Direction did that resonated with me and made me feel more connected to them.
Liam inspired me to try to be the same way he was, in the sense of perseverance in his X-Factor auditions and always working hard to improve himself. He showed so much determination and he did it with such a positive outlook.
Even at 14-16 years old, he was so kind to everyone and there was so much joy in his eyes when he smiled. Then, later as an adult, moderating for him on Discord, I saw the same beautiful energy and kindness in all of his interactions with fans, including myself. He handled them all with grace and humor. I will always try to emulate that. It's a comfort to me knowing that Discord was a safe space for him.
I am not even trying to be dramatic, but when I found out that Liam had died, it felt like my world ended. I cried four times on the clock at work and had to finish my shift in a mental state that barely registered my presence. It still doesn't feel real.
Since the news has settled a bit, I just feel numb. It's such an empty feeling and it's very hard to put that into words. Since his passing, I haven't listened to anything else but One Direction and his solo music. I genuinely can't put anything else on. It's like I've traveled back to 2017.
You don't go through all of the things that Liam went through without struggling, he's been very open and honest about that for years. Anyone who has paid attention to him throughout his career would know that, and I feel like he's another case of mental health not being taken seriously. His struggles, I hope, will become a part of his legacy in a positive way. I hope that people will finally listen when someone speaks up and says that they're not okay.
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