Haunting Liam Payne video where he describes fear of ‘lonely’ hotel rooms and hitting ‘rock bottom’ resurfaces
Liam Payne spoke about his fear of lonely hotel rooms and hitting rock bottom in a heartbreaking clip that has resurfaced following his death at the age of 31 in Argentina.
Speaking on The Diary of a CEO podcast in 2021, the former One Direction member opened up about his struggles with fame and how touring “really messed him up.”
Payne said the worst part was being “locked” in hotel rooms after his performance, three years before he plunged to his death from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.
“My dad said it from day one: Lonely hotel rooms, man – being locked in that room is no fun when you’ve been exposed,” the late singer said.
Payne also told podcast host Steven Barltett that he had a few “low moments.”
Speaking on The Diary of a CEO podcast in 2021, the former One Direction member opened up about his struggles with fame and how touring ‘really messed him up’
“I was worried about how far my bottom would be,” he said. ‘Where is the low point for me? You would never have seen it. I’m very good at hiding it. No one would have ever seen it.
Liam added: “Rock bottom… I mean, I don’t even know if I’ve hit it yet… I can make that choice now and quickly cast my last moment as my rock bottom, or I can make a new one.”
He talked about a performance in Dubai where he was initially worried no one would show up, but he ended up breaking records for attendance and being compared to Michael Jackson.
“I went back to my hotel room and I was sitting in my room on a chair like this,” Payne said with a shocked expression.
Payne explained that he was so shocked after the Dubai show that he canceled a trip to the Maldives with his ex-girlfriend Cheryl Cole and their son Bear.
Describing what he felt at that moment, he continued, “You know, like in a movie where they throw a grenade and it goes [off] and then everyone says, “Oh, my God…”
One of Liam Payne’s last selfies in Buenos Aires was captioned: ‘Beautiful day in Argentina’
(From left) Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne in 2010
Payne had spoken out about his struggles with alcoholism, posting a video to his YouTube channel in July 2023 saying he had been sober for six months after receiving treatment.
The star, whose British boy band generated a global following of swooning fans, was found dead Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, local officials said.
Buenos Aires police said Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Argentine capital’s trendy Palermo district, causing “extremely serious injuries.” Medics confirmed his death at the scene, the statement said.
Police rushed to the hotel in response to an emergency call just after 5pm local time, warning of an “aggressive man who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol”, the statement said.
The hotel manager can be heard on a 911 call saying they “had a guest who is overpowered by drugs and alcohol… He’s destroying the whole room and, well, we need you to send someone, please.”
The manager’s voice became more anxious as the conversation continued, noting that the room had a balcony.
Fans light candles last night as they pay tribute to Liam Payne at the Obelisco in Buenos Aires
Payne had a 7-year-old son, Bear Gray Payne, with his former girlfriend, musician Cheryl who was known as Cheryl Cole when she performed with Girls Aloud.
She was a judge on ‘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. Henry released a novel earlier this year that she said was based on their relationship.
In addition to his son, he is survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola.