Former One Direction singer Liam Payne died outside a hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. Following One Direction’s hiatus, Payne signed a recording contract with Republic Records in North America. He made his solo debut in May 2017 with the release of “Strip That Down,” the lead single from his upcoming album. The track achieved significant success, reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart and number ten on the US Billboard Hot 100, and earning platinum certification in both countries. His debut album, LP1, followed in December 2019. Since the band’s break, Payne has sold over 18 million singles and amassed more than 3.9 billion career streams in just under three years.
- Athletic Beginnings: Before music took over his life, Liam Payne was deeply involved in athletics, particularly long-distance running. From a young age, he trained with the Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletics Club, where he excelled in cross-country events. For three consecutive years, Payne was ranked among the top three 1500m runners in the UK for his age group. His dedication to sports was a major part of his life until he shifted his focus to music.
- Struggled with a Kidney Condition: As a child, Payne faced significant health challenges due to a scarred and dysfunctional kidney. This condition caused frequent illnesses, and to manage the pain, he endured 16 injections in his arm every morning and another 16 every evening for several years. Despite this, Payne remained resilient, and by his early teens, the kidney began functioning again, but this experience shaped his outlook on perseverance.
- Boxing to Combat Bullying: During his school years, Payne faced bullying from older students, which deeply affected him. To cope with this, he turned to boxing at the age of 12. The sport not only provided him with a physical outlet but also helped him build mental toughness and confidence. Boxing remained an important part of his life as he navigated the pressures of adolescence and early fame.
- First Solo Audition: Long before One Direction, Payne first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008 at just 14 years old. His performance of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” impressed the judges, but he was ultimately cut during the Boot Camp stage. However, Simon Cowell saw potential in him and encouraged Payne to return in two years, leading to his 2010 audition and eventual formation of One Direction—a pivotal moment in his career.
- Behind-the-Scenes as a Music Producer: In addition to his vocal career, Payne had a passion for music production. He worked under the aliases “Big Payno” and “Payno,” creating remixes for various songs, including those by his former group One Direction and his ex-partner, Cheryl Cole. He delved into genres like EDM, earning praise for his creative remixes, and even collaborated with top producers like DJ Mustard and Juicy J, expanding his musical talents beyond performing.
