Topline
Liam Payne, an English singer who rose to fame as a member of boy-band One Direction, was found dead after falling at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, multiple outlets reported.
Liam Payne arrives at the “All Of Those Voices” UK Premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square on March … [+] 16, 2023 in London, England.
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Key Facts
Payne fell from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, CNN reported, citing a statement from local police.
Police responded to the hotel in response to a call about an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” the Associated Press reported, and spokesperson for the Security Ministry of Buenos Aires municipality Pablo Policicchio said Payne had “thrown himself from the balcony of his room.”
State officials said they are investigating the circumstances of his death and conducting an autopsy, according to the AP.
Payne—who put out five albums as a member of One Direction—pursued a solo career after the band announced a break in 2015 and released his first solo album, LP1, in 2019, before continuing to make pop, hip-hop, Latin, and electronic music.
Payne struggled with alcohol addiction and spent 100 days in a rehabilitation facility, but said in a 2023 YouTube video he had “more of a grip on life and everything that was getting away from me” after being sober.
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Key Background
Payne was a member of One Direction—a band put together by judges on the British show “The X Factor” in 2010—along with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson. They did not win the season, but the group blew up after the show and went on to have stadium tours and a number of pop hits including “Story of My Life” and “Best Song Ever.” The band announced it would take a temporary hiatus in 2015, though Malik had left earlier that year. Payne talked about his struggle with addiction in recent years, and said he suffered from suicidal thoughts while he a member of One Direction. Payne had four charting songs and one Billboard Top 10 hit in his solo career, 2017’s “Strip That Down” featuring Quavo. He released his most recent song, “Teardrops,” earlier this year. Payne also had a child in 2017 with Cheryl Cole.
Further Reading
CNNLiam Payne, former One Direction member, dead at 31 | CNNABC NewsFormer One Direction star Liam Payne dies after fall from hotel in Argentina: Police
