Buenos Aires police said in a statement that Mr. Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur hotel, located in the Argentine capital’s trendy Palermo district, and suffered “extremely serious injuries “. Doctors pronounced him dead on the spot.
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The former singer of One DirectionLiam Payne, 31 ans, whose British boy band enjoyed worldwide successwas found dead on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, local authorities announced.
Pablo Policicchio, communications director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry, told the Associated Press that Mr. Payne “ had jumped from his bedroom balcony “. Police rushed to the hotel in response to an emergency call just after 5 p.m. local time, he added, reporting an “aggressive man who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.” alcohol.”
The hotel manager can be heard in a 911 call obtained by the AP saying they “have a guest who is overwhelmed by drugs and alcohol… He destroys the entire room and we need you to send someone, please.” The manager’s voice became more anxious as the call went on, clarifying that the room had a balcony.
Alberto Crescenti, head of the state’s medical emergency system, told Argentine television channel Todo Noticias that authorities were investigating the circumstances of the death and carrying out an autopsy.
In July 2023, he published a video on his YouTube channel in which He claimed to have been sober for six months after undergoing treatment. Representatives for Payne did not immediately respond to emails and calls.
Dozens of One Direction fans flocked from all over Buenos Aires to the Casa Sur hotel after the news broke, forming queues that stretched to the cordoned off street outside the hotel. hotel where the police stood sentry. Forensic investigators were seen leaving the hotel, from which Payne’s body was removed about three hours after the fall. Young women filming with their cellphones expressed shock and heartbreak as a makeshift memorial with rows of candles and bouquets quickly grew outside the hotel.
“I didn’t think he was going to die so young,” Isabella Milesi, 21, told the AP agency.
One of the most popular boy bands
Payne was one of five members of the group One Directionwhich formed when they all auditioned for the British singing competition series ” The X Factor ” in 2010, two years after Payne’s first attempt to appear on the show. At 16 the second time around, Payne sang Michael Bublé’s version of “Cry Me a River”, appearing nervous at first, but warming up to the cheers and applause from the audience.
After the failure of each solo singer, Simon Cowell and his fellow judges brought together Payne, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson to form what would become one of the most popular boy bands, even though they lost the competition.
Each member had their own personality, with Payne – originally from Wolverhampton, a city in the West Midlands region of England – being known as the one in charge. The group became known for their pop sound and romantic hits such as “ What Makes You Beautiful », « Night Changes » et « Story of My Life “. Payne played prominent solos on songs like “ Stole My Heart » et « Change Your Ticket “, and co-wrote several of the group’s hits. At the time of their disbandment in 2016, the group had six hits in the Top 10 of the Billboard and a very loyal fan base, known as “Directioners”, many of whom were teenage girls.
“I’ve always loved One Direction since I was little,” said Juana Relh, 18, another fan outside Payne’s hotel. “To see that he is dead and there will never be another reunion of the boys is unbelievable, it kills me.”
After his meteoric rise to fame, Payne said it took him some time to adjust to the public eye.
“I don’t think we can ever get used to it, it’s kind of crazy for us to see that people get into this mindset about us and what we do,” he said. he said in an interview with the AP in 2013, after recounting an experience where a fan was in shock after meeting him.
After the group disbanded, Payne – like each of his former bandmates – pursued a solo career, moving into EDM and hip-hop. His 2017 single “ Strip That Down “, with Quavo, reached the Top 10 of the Billboard, and remained on the charts for several months. He released an album “ LP1 » in 2019, and his latest release – a single titled “ Teardrops » – was published in March.
Payne had a 7-year-old son, Bear Gray Payne, with his former girlfriend, the musician Cherylknown as Cheryl Cole when she played with Girls Aloud. She was a judge on the ‘X Factor’ during One Direction’s season, although their relationship began years later. Payne was previously engaged to Maya Henry, from August 2020 to early 2022. Maya Henry published a novel earlier this year that she said was inspired by their relationship.
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As well as his son, he is survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola.
