Former One Direction Star Liam Payne Dies in Argentina at 31
Liam Payne, former member of the world-famous boyband One Direction, tragically passed away at the age of 31 after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The incident occurred on October 16, 2024, at a hotel on Costa Rica Street in the Palermo neighborhood, according to local police reports.
Payne’s sudden death has shocked fans and the entertainment world. Just earlier this month, he attended a concert in Argentina for his former bandmate, Niall Horan. Payne, along with Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Niall Horan, became global sensations after forming One Direction on the UK version of The X Factor in 2010. The group went on to become one of the most successful boy bands of all time, breaking streaming records in 2015 just before announcing their hiatus.
Born on August 29, 1993, in Wolverhampton, England, Payne’s journey to stardom began when he first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008 at the age of 14. After being eliminated, he returned to the show in 2010 and was placed into One Direction, which quickly skyrocketed to fame. The band’s debut single “What Makes You Beautiful” became a global hit, and they went on to release five studio albums, embarking on record-breaking tours and accumulating millions of fans worldwide.
Following One Direction’s hiatus in 2015, Payne embarked on a successful solo career. He released his debut album, LP1, in December 2019, featuring the hit single “Strip That Down,” which became a chart-topping success in both the UK and the US. Payne also worked with various producers under the monikers “Big Payno” and “Payno,” creating remixes for both One Direction and Cheryl, with whom he shares a son, born in 2017.
In March 2024, Payne released his second album, Teardrops, further solidifying his mark as a solo artist. Throughout his career, Payne sold over 18 million singles in just three years after One Direction‘s hiatus and accumulated over 3.9 billion career streams.
Beyond his musical achievements, Payne’s early life was marked by perseverance. Born prematurely and with a dysfunctional kidney, he underwent regular medical treatments as a child and dealt with bullying during his school years, leading him to take up boxing for self-defense. His passion for performance began early, and by the age of 12, he was already performing in front of large crowds, including a memorable appearance at a Wolverhampton Wanderers football match.
Payne’s legacy as both a member of One Direction and as a solo artist will be remembered fondly by millions of fans around the world. As tributes pour in for the beloved star, the music industry mourns the loss of a talent who left an indelible mark on pop culture.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.