BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Former One Direction singer liam payne 31, the chart-topping British boy band that created swooning fans around the world, was found dead after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, local authorities said.
Buenos Aires police said in a statement that Payne suffered “extremely serious injuries” after falling from the third floor of the Casa Sur hotel in the fashionable district of Palermo, Argentina’s capital. Medics pronounced him dead at the scene, the statement said.
Pablo Policicchio, communications director for Buenos Aires’ security ministry, said in a statement to The Associated Press that Payne “jumped from the balcony of his room.” He said police were called to the hotel shortly after 5pm local time and alerted to an “aggressive man who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol”.
In a 911 call obtained by The Associated Press, the hotel manager can be heard saying, “We have a guest who’s under the influence of drugs and alcohol… He’s destroying the whole room and we need someone to come over.” The manager’s voice became more concerned as the call progressed and he realized the room had a balcony.
Alberto Crescenti, head of the provincial emergency medical system, told Argentina’s Todo Noticias television channel that authorities were investigating the circumstances of his death and conducting an autopsy.
Payne has been vocal about his struggle with alcoholism, posting the following: video In July 2023, he said on his YouTube channel that he had been sober for six months after undergoing treatment. A representative for Mr. Payne did not immediately return an email or phone call.
When the news broke, dozens of One Direction fans from all over Buenos Aires flocked to the Casa Sur hotel and lined up on a cordoned-off street outside the hotel, where police stood guard. Forensic investigators were also seen leaving the hotel where Payne’s body was taken about three hours after the fall. A makeshift memorial lined with candles and flowers quickly grew outside the hotel, and the young women filming on their cellphones looked shocked and heartbroken.
“I never thought he would die so young,” 21-year-old Isabella Milesi told The Associated Press.
Payne was one of them. 5 members of One Direction, The group was formed in 2010 after Payne auditioned for the British singing competition series The X Factor, two years after she first attempted to appear on the show. The second time, at age 16, Payne sang Michael Bublé’s version of “Cry Me a River,” and although she seemed nervous at first, she warmed up to the audience’s cheers and applause.
After each singer failed to make it through the competition as a solo, Simon Cowell and his fellow judges combined Payne, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson to win the contest even if they lost. Despite this, they created what became one of the most successful boy bands. competition.
Each member had their own unique personality, and Payne, who was born in Wolverhampton, a city in England’s West Midlands, was known as a responsible person. The band became known for its pop sound and romantic hits such as “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Night Changes,” and “Story of My Life.” Payne performed standout solos on songs such as “Stole My Heart” and “Change Your Ticket” and co-wrote some of the band’s hits. They had six Top 10 hits on the Billboard charts before disbanding in 2016, and had an extremely loyal fan base known as “Directioners,” many of whom were teenage girls. .
“I’ve loved One Direction since I was little,” said Juana Rel, 18, another fan outside Payne’s hotel. “It’s incredible and a real shock that he’s gone and the boys will never be reunited.”
Payne, whose fame soared quickly, said it took him some time to adjust to the public eye.
“I don’t think we can handle something like that. It’s a little crazy for us to see people in that state of mind about us and what we’re doing,” he said. said in a 2013 interview with The Associated Press. He shared the experience of being in a state of shock when a fan met him.
After the group disbanded, Payne, like his former bandmates, pursued a solo career, moving into EDM and hip-hop. His 2017 single “Strip That Down” featuring Quavo entered the Billboard Top 10 and remained on the chart for several months. he put out Album “LP1” Released in 2019, the last release, a single called “Teardrops”, was released in March.
Payne had 7-year-old son Bear Gray Payne with his ex-girlfriend musician cheryl She was known as Cheryl Cole when she performed with Girls Aloud. She was a judge on The X Factor during One Direction’s season, but their relationship began a few years later. Payne was engaged to Maya Henry from August 2020 to early 2022. Earlier this year, Henry published a novel based on their relationship.
In addition to his son, he is survived by his parents, Jeff and Karen Payne, and two sisters, Ruth and Nicola.
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Wamani reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press journalists Natasha Pisarenko and Deborah Ray contributed reporting from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
