Liam Payne’s post-One Direction timeline: from podcast fall outs to fatherhood
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The separation of One Direction seemed like it was bound to happen, but the news of one of the most successful boybands ever disbanding still captured attention globally and broke the hearts of countless fans.
The five-member group was created on the reality TV series The X Factor in 2010 and included the late Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson. Although they finished in third place in the competition, the band quickly gained worldwide recognition with the launch of their first single, the catchy pop-rock hit "What Makes You Beautiful."
Over the next six years, One Direction reached a level of stardom that hadn't been witnessed since the height of Beatlemania, complete with fans who screamed and cried, relentless paparazzi, and sensational stories in tabloids. When the group disbanded in 2016 after their last tour, each of the five members embarked on their own solo careers, achieving different levels of success.
In a twist that might surprise some, Payne, who had always dreamed of being a solo artist like his inspirations Justin Timberlake, Usher, and Chris Brown, confessed in 2017 that he had reservations about pursuing a solo career. He shared with Billboard, "I was initially thinking about just focusing on songwriting and continuing in that direction. But then I realized, ‘You've wanted to do this since you were 14. It would be foolish to pass up the chance to sign a deal.’ After leaving the band, there were some great opportunities available to us, and I felt the need to take action."
His debut single, the R&B-infused "Strip That Down," was co-written by Ed Sheeran and his long-time partner Steve Mac, and came out a year after One Direction disbanded. Although critics had varied opinions about the song, it climbed into the Top 3 of the UK singles chart and broke into the Top 10 in the US, ultimately amassing over a billion streams on Spotify. Payne continued his momentum with the singles "Get Low" and "Bedroom Floor," both of which made it into the Top 40, and then teamed up with Rita Ora for "For You," which reached No. 8 in the UK.
He embraced the reggaeton wave that surged in the late 2010s with the track “Familiar,” featuring Colombia’s J Balvin, known as the “Prince of Reggaeton.” In 2019, Payne once again collaborated with Ed Sheeran, returning to his R&B roots on the song “Stack It Up.” While discussing the song on the KISS Breakfast show, Payne mentioned, “We tweaked a few elements of the song because it felt somewhat one-dimensional. It focuses mainly on the theme of making money. It’s more meaningful to earn money with someone or to share it.”
During his lifetime, Payne put out only one solo album, titled LP1. The reception was mostly unfavorable, with critics indicating that he was having difficulty establishing his own unique style after leaving the band. In the last three years, he has only released one single called "Teardrops." He described the song as addressing "the fragility of heartbreak and the struggle to move past those difficult times."
Payne shared his experiences of how the pressures of fame caused him to feel exhausted and depressed at times.
“In all honesty, there was a time when I felt a bit lost,” he shared in a 2017 interview with The Telegraph. “I vividly recall when there were 10,000 fans gathered outside our hotel. We were completely stuck—only moving between the venue and the hotel. It was impossible to get any rest since they would still be out there.”
He expressed that his frustration with being famous peaked in New York back in 2012 while he was heading to a restaurant with his parents. During that time, a photographer unintentionally knocked his mother over. He recalled feeling overwhelmed, saying, “I just couldn’t handle it anymore. I was surrounded by cameras, and all I wanted was to enjoy a burger with my family. I broke down in tears, thinking, ‘I can't keep living like this,’ and I genuinely despised my life.”
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His romantic life has drawn a lot of attention from the media, especially during his relationship with Cheryl Tweedy, the X Factor judge he first met at the age of 14 while auditioning for the show. They started their relationship in 2016, when he was 22 and she was 32. Cheryl welcomed their son, Bear, in 2017. The couple parted ways the next year but remained committed to co-parenting, with Cheryl reportedly taking on the majority of the parenting duties.
In March, Payne posted a picture of himself with his seven-year-old son, Bear, as they gazed at a billboard featuring Payne's promotion for "Teardrops."
"I dream of being on a billboard someday, Dad," he expressed in his caption.
Following the conclusion of his relationship with Tweedy, Payne entered into a tumultuous romance with model Maya Henry. The couple became engaged twice, first in August 2020 and again in 2021, but ultimately parted ways for good in May 2022. Just before his passing, it was reported that Henry had issued a cease-and-desist order to the singer, alleging that he had been persistently reaching out to her, as well as to her friends and family.
It wasn't clear how often Payne interacted with his old bandmates after they parted ways. In 2022, he faced backlash from One Direction fans for making some controversial comments on Logan Paul’s podcast. During the episode, Payne went on to criticize his former bandmates, describing their group dynamic as "somewhat toxic," and singled out Malik for particular criticism. He also mentioned that he nearly got into a fight with a bandmate backstage before a performance.
Payne eventually clarified his earlier statements and disclosed that he had entered a rehabilitation program. He confessed, “Much of what I expressed came from an unhealthy mindset. I was overwhelmed with anger about my surroundings, and rather than reflecting on my own feelings, I chose to focus on others. Ultimately, I realized that I unfairly directed my frustrations at them, which is not right.”
He revealed that he was participating in a sobriety treatment program in Louisiana, adding, “I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on those experiences. I really needed to step away to focus on my recovery. Before that, everything felt like a chaotic effort to maintain my presence in the spotlight.”
In the weeks leading up to his passing, Payne appeared to be trying to connect with his former bandmate Horan. He traveled to Argentina with his girlfriend, influencer Kate Cassidy, to attend Horan's performance on October 2nd.
“It’s been some time since Niall and I last talked,” Payne shared with his Snapchat followers.
"We have quite a bit to discuss, and I want to clarify a few things with the kid. There's no tension or anything negative, we just need to have a conversation." It's uncertain whether they met before or after the concert.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or having a tough time managing your emotions, you can reach out to the Samaritans for support. You can call them at 116 123 (available in the UK and ROI), send an email to [email protected], or visit their website to locate the nearest branch to you. Your conversation will remain confidential.
If you're in the United States and are in need of immediate mental health support, or know someone who is, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This crisis hotline is free and confidential, offering assistance around the clock, every day of the week.
If you're currently abroad, visit www.befrienders.org to locate a support hotline in your area.
