Liam Payne, one of the most charismatic members of the world-famous boy band One Direction, won the hearts of millions of fans worldwide with his unique voice and striking stage presence.

Since leaving the group, the singer pursued a solo career, exploring new musical horizons and maturing as an artist. With his unmistakable style and introspective lyrics, Liam became a prominent figure not only in pop music but also on social media, where he shared his personal and professional journey. Unfortunately, his death shocked the world, leaving family and fans inconsolable.

In this text, we will dive into Liam Payne’s journey, from his early steps in music to his untimely death:

1 – FIRST PUBLIC PERFORMANCE

For over ten years, Payne performed for large audiences. However, before his career with One Direction, the singer performed for an audience of 26,000 people during a Wolverhampton Wanderers football game. This was his first major show before auditioning for “The X Factor.”

2 – FIRST APPEARANCE ON “THE X FACTOR”

In 2010, Payne joined Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, and Zayn Malik to create One Direction after being eliminated in the individual stages of “The X Factor”.

However, this was not his debut on the show. In 2008, he performed singing “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra but also didn’t advance to the next rounds.

3 – LIAM PAYNE AND ZAYN MALIK ONCE KISSED

Payne and Malik always maintained a very close friendship during One Direction’s active years. In 2015, the singer revealed that he and Zayn once kissed: “Zayn was saying ‘come here, come here,’ and brought his head close to mine,” Payne told We Love Pop magazine. “Then he leaned in and kissed me.”

4 – WORKING ON A SOLO CAREER

While One Direction was on hiatus, Liam began working on his solo album but, unlike other band members, kept a low profile about the recording process. He spent months in recording studios worldwide, and although he released “Strip That Down” as his first single, he was saving other projects for the future.

After One Direction’s pause in 2016, Liam Payne launched his solo career. In 2017, he released the single “Strip That Down,” which was a major hit, reaching 10th place on the Billboard Hot 100.

5 – BOXING

Payne’s childhood was not easy. In school, he faced bullying and, to protect himself, began learning boxing. At first, he got injured in training for being too young, but over time, he became more agile and gained confidence in the sport.

6 – UNICEF

Over the years, the musician became involved in various social causes and was a strong advocate for UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund). In 2015, he participated in a campaign alongside big names in tennis, such as Andy Murray, Jack Whitehall, and Clare Balding.

7 – HE ADMIRED MICHAEL JACKSON

One of Liam Payne’s biggest musical icons was Michael Jackson. He openly talked about his admiration for the King of Pop and how Jackson’s music and performance style influenced him.

8 – HEALTH ISSUES

During his time in One Direction, Liam suffered from health issues, including severe back pain and sleep difficulties. He was diagnosed with a condition called “hypotonia,” which affects muscles, causing muscle weakness.

9 – A DEVOTED FATHER

Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole had a relationship that garnered significant media attention, both for their age difference and the union of two major music figures. They began dating in 2016 after meeting backstage on “The X Factor,” where Cheryl was a judge and Liam, one of One Direction’s participants.

The chemistry between them became evident, and they soon began to be seen together publicly, sparking many rumors and speculations.

In March 2017, Cheryl and Liam announced they were expecting their first child, a moment that delighted their fans and the press. On March 22, 2017, Bear Payne, the couple’s son, was born, a name chosen by both with affection. The choice of the name “Bear” caught attention, especially for being simple and unique, outside the traditional name standards.

Despite the birth of their son being a great joy for the couple, Liam and Cheryl’s relationship began to face challenges over time. Their relationship was marked by periods of intense media attention, both positive and negative, with the age difference (he being 10 years younger) being one of the focal points of speculation.

In July 2018, the couple publicly announced they had separated, maintaining an amicable friendship and prioritizing Bear’s well-being.

Both made it clear that the separation was friendly and that they would continue to share responsibility for caring for their son, with Liam often speaking about how focused he was on being a good father to Bear.

10 – THE ARTIST’S UNTIMELY DEATH

Liam Payne tragically passed away on October 16, 2024. The singer fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur hotel, located in the Palermo neighborhood of Argentina, from a height of 14 meters. The preliminary autopsy revealed that the cause of death was “multiple injuries” resulting from the fall, as well as “internal and external bleeding” in the skull, chest, abdomen, and limbs.

The official report indicates that the head injuries were fatal and sufficient to cause the singer’s death.

Initially, his death was deemed a suicide, but security camera footage and the artist’s autopsy show that he may have had an unintentional fall from the hotel after using drugs.

Braian Nahuel Paiz, one of the three suspects in Liam Payne’s death, made his first statement about the case during an interview on Argentine television. The Argentine waiter is accused of supplying drugs to Liam on the day of his death. Braian admitted to being in the hotel room with the singer and using drugs together but denied selling any substances or receiving payment.

The investigation revealed that Liam Payne was in a state of semi or total unconsciousness at the time of his fall, without any reflex to protect himself. This condition, associated with the substances found in his body, led to the conclusion that he did not act in a “conscious or voluntary” manner.

In his altered state, he would not have fully understood his actions. The presence of alcohol, cocaine, and antidepressants was detected in his body, indicating that he had consumed these substances within the 72 hours before the incident.

Between October 13 and 16, the period culminating in Liam’s death, he allegedly received drugs at least four times. This conclusion was based on testimonies, videos, messages, documents, invoices, social media, and other communications from the musician.

Additionally, Rogelio Nores, an Argentine friend of Liam, was indicted and arrested. He presented himself as Liam’s manager and is accused of neglecting the singer’s situation. Nores allegedly did not inform the family about the relapse and crisis Liam was experiencing, and when the police attempted to contact him after the death, using a number provided by the hotel, he did not answer the calls.

Liam Payne, with his impressive evolution from One Direction member to solo artist, left his mark on the music industry. Throughout his career, he not only demonstrated unique vocal talent but also a capacity to reinvent himself and explore new styles.

Besides his success as a singer, his authenticity and vulnerability on social media and in his music strengthened his connection with his fans. His premature death in 2024 leaves an indelible sorrow for family and fans, who will continue listening to his songs forever.