One Direction is one of the most iconic music groups of the 21st century. Since forming in 2010, the five-piece English pop group has sold over 70 million records worldwide. Despite going on hiatus in 2016, One Direction’s popularity and influence continue to resonate in modern pop music. The group’s five members, including Liam Payne, have all found successful solo careers.
Liam Payne entered the music industry at 14 when he auditioned for the British reality television series The X Factor. Although the series dropped him early, Payne returned two years later, and the production placed him in a group with four other contestants. Guest judge Nicole Scherzinger suggested grouping Payne with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik. The five boys gained popularity in the United Kingdom and placed third on the show. After their appearance on The X Factor, the group, now known as One Direction, signed a record deal with Syco Entertainment. Their first single, “What Makes You Beautiful,” was released nine months after The X Factor ended, becoming an instant success, reaching number one in many countries, including England and Mexico.
Within less than a year of One Direction’s debut, they signed a significant contract with Columbia Records in the United States and went on their first headlining tour. Despite their young age, One Direction quickly sold out massive venues across the globe. From 2010 until 2016, One Direction released five studio albums and became one of the highest-selling musical acts of all time. In 2016, the group went on hiatus, and all five members began releasing their solo music.
Liam Payne began his solo career in May 2017 with the single “Strip That Down,” which featured American rapper Quavo. After contributing to film soundtracks and producing for other artists, his debut album LP1. Payne released the album to mixed reviews but soon announced that he was developing a second album. Tragically, on October 16, 2024, authorities discovered Liam Payne’s lifeless body at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Authorities determined that his death was from injuries he suffered after falling off a third-floor balcony in the hotel. An autopsy found several drugs in Payne’s system, including “pink cocaine,” a mixture of different substances. Before Payne’s deadly fall, hotel officials called authorities and asked them to “send someone with urgency” in response to a guest acting erratically and using multiple drugs. When officers arrived seven minutes later, they found Payne’s body in the inner courtyard of the hotel.
After his time in One Direction had ended, Payne was outspoken about his struggles with alcoholism. He described being “locked in hotel rooms with a mini-bar in between gigs” while he toured with the band. Payne had also opened up about mental health issues he suffered from during the peak of One Direction’s fame, telling USA Today that he often felt “trapped” and that One Direction’s success “diluted his growth as a person.” Following his death, Payne’s former bandmates released a joint statement expressing their devastation at the news of Liam’s passing. One Direction fans held tributes across the world, and many childhood cancer charities that Payne helped with also sent their regards to his family. In the months before his death, Payne donated thousands of dollars to various GoFundMe pages for people in need of medical care.
If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, please call, text or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org for 24/7 access to free and confidential services.
