Liam Payne rose to fame as a member of the boy band, One Direction, formed on the British TV show The X Factor in 2010. When Payne first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008, he was only 14, and didn’t make it past the judges’ houses stage, but then judge Simon Cowell told him to practice and to come back in a couple of years. When Liam auditioned again in 2010, he caught the judges’ attention with his powerful vocals and charisma as he had noticeably improved.
He didn’t progress as a solo act, but he was grouped with four other contestants: Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik which formed One Direction.
“When I was a little girl, One Direction was my favorite band and Liam was my favorite. Their music was so catchy and they seemed like such genuine people. It’s sad to see what happened to Liam, but it’s good to look back at all the wonderful memories they had as a band,” said junior Alessandra Alvarez.
One Direction didn’t technically “break up” but went on a “hiatus” in 2016. Basically, they decided to take a break after five years of non-stop albums, tours, and everything.
What is hiatus?
A temporary gap, pause, break, or absence can be called a hiatus
After One Direction went on a break , Payne launched his solo music career. His first big solo single, “Strip That Down,” came out in 2017 and featured the rapper Quavo. The song was a hit, going platinum in multiple countries and marked the start of his shift towards a more hip-hop and R&B style. He went on to release songs like “Bedroom Floor” and “For You,” a duet with Rita Ora for the Fifty Shades Freed movie soundtrack.
Having fame at a young age can affect people in a lot of ways because it often comes with intense pressure, lack of privacy, and unrealistic expectations. When young people suddenly become famous, they’re thrown into a world where everyone is watching them and judging their every move. This can make it hard to just be themselves, and it often leaves them feeling like they have to be “perfect” all the time.
That’s exactly what most people think happened to Payne.
“When you have all that pressure and the reliance of other people on your shoulders, it can make some overwhelmed and drive people to bad places,” said junior Emma Angeli.
Many artists and fans, including the former One Direction members and close friends, have shared heartfelt tributes to honor his memory, describing him as a “kind, funny, and brave soul” who played a significant role in the lives of many fans worldwide.
One Direction members Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik shared their shock and grief, expressing that the loss of Payne feels surreal.