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Liam Payne, former member of One Direction, tragically passed away at 31 on October 16, 2024. The late singer was found after a fatal fall from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires. His passing left fans in shock, especially since he had been open about his struggles with mental health for years.
When Liam Payne opened up about his mental health struggles
While the official cause of his death remains unclear, Payne had been vocal about the emotional and mental weight he carried, especially in the face of fame. From the early days of One Direction mania to his personal battles, he never shied away from discussing his anxiety, agoraphobia, and addiction issues.
In a 2017 interview with The Sun, Payne admitted that being in the spotlight often felt like wearing a mask, sharing how the pressures of fame took a toll on his well-being. He reflected on moments when he wasn’t in the best mental state, even pointing out how a cancelled 2015 show in Belfast was a result of his fragile mental health.
"People don't really see what's going on underneath," he said. He also spoke about a cancelled 2015 Belfast gig, stating that he was not in a good place then. "I was going through a rough time, and I let it get to me a little bit too much," he said.
When One Direction went on a hiatus
Payne echoed these feelings when One Direction went on hiatus in 2016, admitting that the band was exhausted from non-stop work. He once confessed that the group barely celebrated their success, “I’m a totally different person now to how I used to be about it,” he stated, adding to the mounting stress they faced.
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A post shared by Liam Payne (@liampayne)
ALSO READ: One Direction’s Liam Payne Dies At 31: Was He ‘Bullied’ By The Internet In His Last Days?
When Liam Payne opened up about his agoraphobia
In later interviews, Payne spoke more about his agoraphobia, revealing how he struggled with even the simplest tasks like stepping out for coffee. In a candid conversation with Men’s Health Australia back in 2019, he described the toll of performing as constantly putting on a costume, hiding the internal chaos.
He also opened up about his drinking habits, explaining that at times he turned to alcohol as a way to cope with the overwhelming pressure. Payne acknowledged how many in the industry face mental health challenges but often don’t receive the help they need.
In a November 2019 interview on Straight Talk with Ant Middleton, Payne described fame as feeling like a bizarre midlife crisis and shared how the overwhelming pressure and isolation had pushed him to the brink multiple times.
When Liam Payne spoke about his darkest moments
By 2021, Payne admitted to hitting some of his darkest moments, even struggling with suicidal thoughts. He credited those around him, including bandmate Harry Styles, for checking in during his lowest points.
Later in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Payne shared with Glamour that his mental health was a continuous battle, and the pandemic had only intensified his struggles. He admitted that he found it hard to unwind, constantly feeling the pressure to stay productive.
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When Liam spoke about his 100 day recovery program
Liam’s journey wasn’t without moments of hope. In mid-2023 YouTube clip, he celebrated completing a 100-day recovery program, marking six months of sobriety. He thanked his ex, Cheryl Cole, and their son, Bear, for supporting him through it, realising he needed to get better for his family.
Liam Payne's tragic death highlights the deep mental health battles he faced, despite the fame and success that surrounded him.