Liam Payne Was a ‘Victim of the Hollywood Machine’: ‘Everyone Should Have Done More to Help Him’

Liam Payne’s death has sent Hollywood into mass mourning as celebrities unite to preserve the One Direction star’s legacy while campaigning for others not to succumb to the dark side of fame that ultimately claimed his life, a source exclusively tells In Touch.

Liam died at age 31 after he fell from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, October 16. Argentine police told TMZ their current theory is that the 1D singer was high on a drug called “cristal” which can cause severe mood spikes and sometimes erratic behavior and even aggression.

In Touch’s insider says, “His death has rocked the industry as a whole,” as tributes from fans and other celebrities alike pour in. “He was so well liked and far too young to die.” 

Liam’s former One Direction bandmates, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik all gave their condolences and tributes to their late friend, and Kelly Osborne, who has faced her share of addiction issues, said his death “hit hard” in an interview.

The source notes that Liam’s battle with his drug habit has been ongoing for some time. The father of one had even checked into The Priory in late July to try to conquer his demons, though he only stayed 48 hours of the planned 28-day treatment schedule. He had previously stayed a total of 100 days in rehab throughout 2023.

“The sad truth is that for years he’s been struggling with addiction and mental health issues,” the insider continues, adding “Pretty well everyone knew it and essentially looked the other way.”

As the Argentine police carry their investigation forward, calls are mounting for whoever sold Liam the drugs to be brought to justice and face punishment. The tragic star’s dad, Geoff Payne, who arrived in the country two days after on October 18, identified his son’s body and volunteered his help to the authorities.

While the drug dealer may be looking at direct consequences, the insider argues that many are voicing their displeasure with the way Liam and his bandmates were treated at such a young age and those responsible for using the boys for their own financial gain also share the blame. 

“A lot of people are saying he was another victim of the Hollywood machine. There’s a lot of fingers being pointed and a collective sense that everyone should have done more to help him,” the source says.

A second source previously confirmed to In Touch that the One Direction band members “weren’t emotionally mature enough to handle the fame. They were treated as if they were merchandise.”

The singer’s sister, Ruth, echoed the sentiment in her Instagram tribute, writing “I don’t feel this world was kind enough to you, and quite often over the last few years you’ve had to really try hard to overcome all that was being aimed at you. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”

The first source states, “People are vowing to learn from this and uphold his legacy by helping other people in the industry who are struggling and not getting the sort of care and attention they need.”