Former One Direction star Liam Payne was reportedly dropped by his record label, Universal Music, just days before his untimely death at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The shocking incident has left fans and the music world mourning the loss of the 31-year-old artist, who fell from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel on Wednesday evening.
According to reports, Payne's solo career had been struggling, leading Universal Music to cut ties. "Liam's advance was massive and he didn't recoup it," a source told the Daily Mail. "Out of all of the One Direction boys, Liam was on the wrong path musically." Payne had signed with Capitol Records, a subsidiary of Universal, in 2016 after One Direction announced an indefinite hiatus in 2015. However, the release of his sophomore album had been put on hold, and his publicity team had resigned earlier in October, leaving him without representation.
Universal Music expressed their condolences following Payne's death, posting a tribute that read, "We are devastated by the tragic passing of Liam Payne. His legacy will live on through his music and the countless fans he inspired and who adored him. We send our deepest condolences to Liam's family and loved ones." Capitol Records also shared the statement, mourning the loss of the artist they had supported since his solo debut.
Witnesses at the hotel described disturbing scenes leading up to Payne's death. Fellow guest Doug Jones, speaking to the BBC, recalled, "I thought they were working on the room. There was a lot of noise, like heavy lifting, like banging, a lot of loud, violent noises. Then around 4:45 p.m., I heard a really loud, violent scream." Hotel staff reportedly called emergency services shortly before Payne's fall, fearing for his safety. "We have a guest who is high and drunk, and when he is conscious, he is destroying his room," an employee told the operator.
Payne's mental health struggles had been widely reported, and he was said to be feeling "extremely overwhelmed" by legal issues involving his ex-fiancée, Maya Henry. Henry had recently accused Payne of contacting her repeatedly and had filed a cease-and-desist order against him. During a podcast appearance, Henry also accused Payne of using his mental health struggles as a "manipulation tactic" to get her to speak to him, a claim that added to Payne's mounting personal challenges.
Payne's tragic death has left the music industry in shock. His former One Direction bandmates issued a joint statement expressing their heartbreak. "We are completely devastated," read the statement signed by Louis, Zayn, Niall, and Harry. "The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly."
Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik also shared personal tributes. Styles wrote, "His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honor to be alongside him as he did it. Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, and I will miss him always." Tomlinson added, "I'm so grateful that we got even closer since the band. I wish I got the chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you." Malik, in his own emotional tribute, said, "I lost a brother when you left us. There are no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated."
Payne's death came as a culmination of a series of setbacks in his career and personal life. His debut solo single, "Strip That Down," featuring Quavo, had initially charted well, but subsequent releases struggled to replicate that success. In recent months, Payne had also postponed a scheduled tour due to a serious kidney infection and faced a reshuffling at Universal Music, which ultimately led to the label dropping him.
Rita Ora, who collaborated with Payne on the hit song "For You," fought back tears during a concert in Japan just hours after news of his death broke. Performing their duet, Ora visibly struggled, at one point turning away from the audience and saying, "I can't even sing this right now." She later posted on social media, writing, "I'm devastated. He had the kindest soul. This tragic news breaks my heart."
The circumstances surrounding Payne's death are still being investigated, but local reports indicated that the singer had been acting "erratically" in the hours leading up to his fall. Images of his trashed hotel room surfaced in the Argentinian media, showing signs of drug use, including tin foil, white powder, and a blackened aluminum can lid. Police later confirmed that medicines like clonazepam, used for epilepsy and panic disorders, were found in his room.
Payne's tragic fall is a stark reminder of the pressures faced by young stars in the music industry. From his rise to fame on "The X Factor" as a member of One Direction to his struggles as a solo artist, Payne's life was marked by both extraordinary highs and profound challenges. His legacy, however, will endure through his music and the impact he had on fans around the world.
