If someone told me that One Direction’s Instagram account would be active for the first time in four years this week with Zayn Malik’s name attached, I would have jumped up and down.
Instead, I was slumped on my couch frantically reading every news article I could find to see if Liam Payne was really dead — or if it was a hoax. To my dismay, it was true.
Payne found fame on “The X-Factor” when former judge Simon Cowell grouped him together with Malik, Niall Horan, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson. The band officially debuted their first album “Up All Night” in 2010 after being eliminated from the reality music competition.
For five years, One Direction produced four albums as a full band, emerging as one of the 2010s biggest stars in the music industry. But under Cowell’s management, their grueling album-tour schedule led to burnout for several members.
By March 2015, the pressure became too much for Malik, and he left the band, shocking and upsetting the large fanbase.
After Malik’s departure, the remaining four released a final studio album, “Made in the A.M.” and announced a hiatus. What was initially an 18-month break, turned into 10 years and five solo careers.
Despite going their separate ways, the band’s influence on pop culture has endured. Now, the heartbreaking news of Payne’s death has left social media flooded with messages of grief and disbelief.
On Oct. 16, reports from TMZ emerged that Payne had died in Buenos Aires after falling from a third-story balcony. While the autopsy has not confirmed if it was intentional, it deemed 25 injuries “unprotected.”
Just before his death, Buenos Aires police received a call from the hotel desk manager where Payne was staying. The phone call claimed Payne, presumably under the influence of alcohol and drugs, was destroying his hotel room.
Officially, forensic experts have established his preliminary cause of death was internal and external hemorrhage. Yet there is still an ongoing investigation surrounding his death, prosecutors believe Payne was alone when the fall occurred.
In the weeks before his death, Payne found himself at the center of controversy. His ex- fiancée, Maya Henry, posted a TikTok on Oct. 6, revealing that the fictional book she had written earlier this year, “Looking Forward,” was based on Payne’s alleged abuse toward her.
Henry later appeared on “The Internet is Dead” podcast on Oct. 14, where she discussed moments from their relationship, including this alleged manipulation and abuse. She claimed Payne had tried contacting her from numerous iCloud accounts since their split in 2022. Later that same day, The Sun reported Henry filed a lawsuit against Payne after new, troubling information.
This however, is not the first time Payne has been under fire. In May 2022 an episode of Logan Paul’s podcast “Impaulsive” featured Payne speaking about moments during the band’s prime where he almost “came to blows” with another bandmate. The entire episode became polarized over social media as fans expressed their disappointment in Payne. He later apologized, clarifying how his substance abuse issues played a role in his behavior.
Payne had been candid about his struggles with alcohol before. In a July 2023 YouTube video, he spoke about his three-month stint in a rehabilitation center and his efforts to maintain sobriety.
Despite these supposed altercations and past drama between band members, the group — Malik included — released a joint statement on Oct. 17 addressing Payne’s passing via Instagram.
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,” they wrote. “In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”
Each member also shared personal tributes on social media recounting memories.
“I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be,” Tomlinson wrote.
Horan, who was the last of the bandmates to see Payne — who recently attended Horan’s concert in Argentina with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy — said, “I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking.”
Grief over Payne’s death didn’t stop at the band members. His passing has shaken the music and entertainment industries, with past collaborators like Zedd and Quavo, and friends like Ed Sheeran and James Corden, all expressing their sorrow.
When any celebrity dies, social media becomes a place for people to share their emotions. But Payne’s death feels especially poignant for young generations who grew up with him.
His passing reminds me of the loss of Mac Miller — another artist whose sudden death stunned the world. It leaves many in my generation at a loss for words as we grieve not just Payne, but memories of our childhood that he helped create.
Disney star Cameron Boyce had a similar impact when he passed away from a seizure. It often feels like time stops, and the internet becomes a holding place for people to reflect on a late icon’s best moments.
Payne had his struggles, but his memory will forever be in the hearts of the teenage girls who were obsessed with him during the One Direction heyday.
I’m not grieving as my 19-year-old self right now. I’m grieving as my five-year-old self who just discovered fetus One Direction video diaries on YouTube. I’ll throw away my plastic spoons, Liam.
