Liam Payne, the former One Direction member, has passed away at the age of 31 in Buenos Aires, as reported by various news outlets.
According to a statement from local police, Payne fell from a third-floor window of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo area of the city. Authorities responded to an emergency call regarding an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” where they discovered Payne’s body in the hotel courtyard. The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation.
One Direction, known for their success in the 2010s, released five albums that made them a global sensation, propelled by hit singles such as “Live While We’re Young” and “Best Song Ever.” Born in Wolverhampton, England, in 1993, Payne first auditioned for The X Factor UK in 2008 but did not advance. He returned in 2010 and successfully joined forces with Horan, Styles, Malik, and Tomlinson after nearly being eliminated.
Emerging from the reality show, One Direction quickly gained popularity. Their first single, “What Makes You Beautiful,” revived the boy band genre. They achieved a significant milestone with their 2014 album Four, making history as the first group to have their first four albums debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The same year, they embarked on a tour that became one of the highest-grossing of all time.
In 2015, following Malik’s departure, One Direction released their final album, Made in the A.M., before going on hiatus in 2016. Payne was the only member present at the 2017 Brit Awards when the band won the Video of the Year award for “History.”
As the group members pursued solo careers, Payne released his debut album LP1 in 2019, featuring popular tracks like “Strip That Down” and “For You,” with a new single, “Teardrops,” released in 2023.
In a 2023 video on his YouTube channel, Payne discussed his battle with alcoholism and his attendance at a treatment program in Louisiana, expressing a desire to reconnect with himself. He is survived by his seven-year-old son, parents, and two sisters.