One Direction Star Liam Payne Dead at 31 After Fall in Argentina

Liam Payne died on Wednesday, October 16. He was 31.

The former One Direction singer fell to his death in Buenos Aires, Us Weekly can confirm. CNN and TMZ reported that Payne was on the third floor of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel when he went over the side.

Payne made his musical and reality TV debut in 2008 on the British series The X Factor. Although he was eliminated, he auditioned again in 2010, which is when he was recruited to be a member of the new boy band One Direction.

The group, which also included Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik, became a massive success.

One Direction released four studio albums from 2011 to 2014 before Malik, 31, announced that he was leaving the band. “My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined,” Malik said in a statement in March 2015. “But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I’d like to apologize to the fans if I’ve let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight.”

Later that year, the remaining members dropped their fifth and final album as 1D called Made in the A.M.

Payne, Horan, 31, Styles, 30, and Tomlinson, 32, revealed in August 2015 that they would be taking a hiatus beginning in 2016. They later dissolved the band completely to pursue solo careers.

Payne dropped his first solo single in 2017, “Strip That Down” featuring Quavo, followed by “Get Low” featuring Zedd and “Bedroom Floor” that same year. His first EP, First Time, was released the following year.

The musician released his first solo album, LP1, in 2019. Payne revealed in May 2023 that he was working on his second record. “I’ve been making an album for a change, which is quite fun,” he teased during a iFL TV interview. “It’s been good, I’m excited to bring it out, and I definitely want to tour this time, which is unusual. Because, I wasn’t sure I was going to tour for a long time. I was kind of over it a little bit, but I’m really excited to get back out on the road and go and see all the fans. It’s gonna be fun.”

Payne’s most recent single, “Teardrops,” came out in March, which he cowrote with JC Chasez.

Following his time with One Direction, Payne became a father. He welcomed his only son, Bear, with Cheryl Cole in March 2017. The couple called it quits in July 2018.

Payne was then engaged to Maya Henry from August 2020 to spring of 2022. He began dating Kate Cassidy in 2022 after his brief romance with Aliana Mawla. Us confirmed in May 2023 that Payne and Cassidy parted ways, but they later rekindled their romance in February.

In the wake of his death, fans and celebrity friends have been sharing messages of love for Payne.

“So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing😢 Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. 🙏 RIP my friend🥺,” Paris Hilton wrote via X on Wednesday.

Social media star Taylor Caniff noted via X that Payne’s death is “very very sad,” revealing, “He played a roll [sic] in all our childhoods. Just doesn’t seem real … I’m speechless.”