Liam Payne on Awkward Encounter with Diddy and Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts and Substance Abuse

Liam Payne may have become a global superstar, but even fame couldn't shield him from awkward celebrity encounters. In 2017, Payne shared a particularly cringeworthy experience during an interview with KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O. The former One Direction member recalled an uncomfortable moment when he introduced himself to hip-hop icon P Diddy at a star-studded party, only to be met with an unexpected response.

"I went over to speak to him and Jay Z, and as I shook his hand, he just chuckled... the most evil laugh I've ever heard," Payne revealed, clearly still affected by the moment. "So I'm a little bit fearful of that man." The encounter happened while Diddy was standing next to Jay-Z and Leonardo DiCaprio, but Payne thought Diddy would be the most approachable of the three. He later admitted that he "missed the mark" and described the situation as "the most daunting celebrity experience" he'd ever had.

Battling Addiction and Mental Health Issues

Despite his celebrity status, Liam Payne has not shied away from discussing the personal struggles he faced during and after his time in One Direction. In a candid interview on The Diary of a CEO podcast in 2021, Payne opened up about the darker side of fame, revealing how the pressures of constant touring and global success led him down a path of substance abuse and mental health issues.

Payne confessed that his struggles were particularly severe during the height of One Direction's fame. "There were a few pictures of me on a boat, and I was all bloated out," he explained, referring to his infamous "pills-and-booze phase." Isolated in hotel rooms during tours, he described how he relied on alcohol to cope with the stress. "The best way to secure us was to lock us in our rooms, and what is in the room? A mini-bar. So I had a party-for-one that seemed to carry on for years," he said.

His mental health also took a significant hit, with Payne admitting to having experienced "severe" suicidal thoughts. "There is definitely some stuff I have never spoken about to do with it. It was really, really severe," he shared, reflecting on the toll that fame had taken on him.

A Journey to Sobriety

Despite the turmoil, Payne's determination to turn his life around led him to sobriety. In May 2023, he proudly revealed that he had been sober for over 100 days following his split from girlfriend Kate Cassidy. "I feel amazing," Payne said during an interview with iFL TV. "The support from the fans has been really, really good, so I'm super happy."

Sobriety wasn't always easy for the singer, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown. Payne admitted that he had slipped back into bad habits during the isolation, becoming increasingly reliant on alcohol. However, with the help of comedian Russell Brand, who supported him through his recovery, Payne was able to regain control of his life. "I had a thing with drink, and it was a guy called Chip Somers who got me sober. I was sober for about a year and visited Russell Brand. We went down to meetings together," Payne shared.

The Shocking News of His Passing

Just as it seemed Liam Payne was making strides in his personal and professional life, tragedy struck. On 16 October 2024, Payne was found dead outside a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after falling from a third-floor balcony. Local police confirmed the heartbreaking news, stating that they were called to the hotel in the city's Palermo neighbourhood after reports of an "aggressive man who could be under the effects of drugs and alcohol," according to Reuters.

Emergency workers discovered Payne's body in the hotel's interior patio, and despite attempts to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The singer had been in Argentina following a concert by his former One Direction bandmate, Niall Horan, earlier in the month. On the day of his death, Payne had posted a Snapchat video reflecting on his time in Argentina, mentioning his excitement about riding horses and playing polo. "It's a lovely day here in Argentina," he said in what would tragically be his final post.

Payne's struggles with addiction had been well-documented, and he had spent time in rehabilitation facilities in the past. However, his recent sobriety had given fans hope that the star had found a way to overcome his demons. MTV's Latin American branch expressed condolences in a post on social media, stating, "Our hearts are absolutely broken, and we wish much light and strength for his family and loved ones."