Simon Cowell Addresses Accusations About Liam Payne’s Passing
Simon Cowell has addressed the claims that he played a role in the tragic death of Liam Payne, who passed away in October 2024. During a recent appearance on the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast, Cowell was asked about the accusations that he placed excessive pressure on One Direction and failed to support them in navigating fame.
“I don’t read any of this stuff because if I did, you would just torture yourself. The idea that you are essentially responsible for somebody’s life, 10 years after you’ve signed someone? You can’t do that,” Cowell said. The 66-year-old “X Factor” creator, who launched One Direction through his competition show in 2010, faced criticism after Payne fell from a hotel balcony in Argentina with multiple drugs in his system.
The Origins of One Direction
Payne was just 16 when he auditioned on The X Factor for the second time and was later grouped with Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Harry Styles to form One Direction. The group finished third in the competition, and Cowell’s label, Syco Records, signed them.
During the podcast, Cowell reflected on meeting with Payne about a year before his death and offering some advice. “I remember saying, ‘Music is not everything. Don’t let it run your life anymore. Find something else that you are passionate about,’” Cowell recalled. He also pondered whether he could have done more to help Payne. “You ask yourself that question: ‘Could I have done anything more? What would’ve happened to Liam if he hadn’t been in the band?’”
A Personal Reflection
Cowell also shared that he believed Payne was “in a really good place” at the time of their last conversation. “I wish I could turn back the clock, of course,” he said. “When I spoke to him that day, I felt really good about him.”
Public Mourning and Personal Connection
In the days following Payne’s death, Cowell was among the first to publicly mourn the singer. “You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens,” he wrote on social media. “Liam, I am devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you.”
Cowell also highlighted Payne’s deep connection with his fans. “Liam never [forgot] the fans. I watched you spending so much time with people who had wanted to meet you. You really cared,” he wrote.
At Payne’s funeral in November 2024, Cowell was seen embracing Payne’s parents, showing his personal grief over the loss of the young star.
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