BUENOS AIRES (DAILYBHARAT): Liam Payne, the celebrated member of the legendary boy band One Direction, was discovered lifeless after a fall from the balcony of his third-floor hotel room in Buenos Aires. The tragic incident has sent shockwaves across the globe, igniting an outpouring of heartfelt tributes from fans and fellow musicians alike.
Upon hearing of the 31-year-old British singer’s demise, fans of the world-renowned group quickly gathered outside the CasaSur hotel in the lush Palermo district of Buenos Aires. They sang his greatest hits, offering a bittersweet homage to a star whose music touched millions.
Local law enforcement issued a statement recounting the sequence of events. Officers were dispatched to the hotel following reports of a highly intoxicated man behaving aggressively, possibly under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The hotel manager recounted hearing a loud crash from the courtyard, which led to the discovery that a man had plummeted from his room’s balcony.
In a recording released by the city’s security ministry, a staff member urgently requested police intervention. “When he's conscious, he's destroying the room. We need someone immediately,” the worker pleaded, stressing that the guest’s life was in jeopardy due to the balcony's presence.
Liam Payne ascended to stardom after being handpicked for One Direction on Simon Cowell's The X Factor in 2010. Alongside bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, Payne rode the wave of global success, dominating the charts and creating a cultural phenomenon. The group went on hiatus in 2016, with each member pursuing solo careers. Payne’s most recent single, “Teardrop,” was released in March.
Though the exact circumstances of his death remain murky, Payne had been candid about his personal struggles, including his battles with mental health and his reliance on alcohol to cope with the weight of fame.
Outside the hotel, One Direction fan Micaela Ibertis shared her disbelief with Reuters: “I feel like this is a dream… Tomorrow it’ll all be a lie. It’s hard to accept.” Another fan, Violeta Antier, who had recently seen Payne at a Niall Horan concert, expressed shock, saying, “He was there. I saw him. He seemed fine.”
Among those mourning was American artist Charlie Puth, who took to Instagram to express his sorrow: “I’m in disbelief. Liam was always so kind. He was one of the first major artists I worked with. I can’t believe he’s gone.”
The British Foreign Office confirmed it was liaising with Argentine authorities regarding the death of a British national.
A Rising Star’s Journey
Payne first auditioned for The X Factor in 2010 at the age of 16, and Simon Cowell later recalled in a 2012 Rolling Stone interview that he’d recognized Payne’s potential from the start. “With the right confidence, I knew he’d be a key player in the band. Bringing him back was a no-brainer,” Cowell said.
Although One Direction finished third on The X Factor, the group went on to conquer the charts, with over 29 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100, including the iconic “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Story of My Life,” and “Live While We’re Young.” Payne contributed as a songwriter on many of the band’s hits, including “Night Changes.” In 2018, he collaborated with Rita Ora for the track “For You,” and his first studio album, LP1, arrived in 2019.
With a net worth reportedly hovering around $70 million, Payne’s music career propelled him into the upper echelons of pop stardom. He shares a son, Bear, with former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl, who served as a judge on The X Factor during One Direction's rise to fame.
Just last year, Payne took to YouTube to share his journey with fans, candidly discussing his family, his renewed passion for creating music, and his sobriety. He thanked his supporters for sticking by him during turbulent times.
Earlier on Wednesday, Payne posted to Snapchat about his time in Argentina. He spoke enthusiastically about riding horses, playing polo, and looking forward to returning home to his beloved dog. “It’s a beautiful day here in Argentina,” he said in what would become his final message to the world.
PUBLISHED BY DAILYBHARAT
