Liam Payne: A Life Lived In Controversy Ends With Tragedy - Know Singer’s Career, Family, Net Worth

Liam Payne’s untimely demise at 31 sent shockwaves across the world. The former One Direction member tragically fell from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur hotel in Argentina on Wednesday, October 16. As the world mourns his loss, it's a moment to reflect on the key events that kept him in the public eye, far beyond his music career.

Liam Payne's net worth

Liam Payne, a member of one of the most popular boy bands of the 2010s, gained significant fame and attention. His net worth is reportedly over $70 million.

After his time with the band, Payne signed with Universal Music's Capitol Records and launched his solo career, releasing his debut album, LP1, in 2019. He has sold over 23 million singles and more than three million albums.

Liam Payne's career

Liam Payne first auditioned for a British reality music competition X Factor in 2008 when he was just 14 years old. Although the judges were impressed by his singing, Simon Cowell advised him that he “wasn’t quite ready” for fame and suggested he return in two years. Payne heeded this advice and returned to the show in 2010, where he received a standing ovation from two judges after his solo performance.

Later that season, the judges paired him with four other solo singers: Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, forming the band One Direction which became a global sensation in no time.

Although the group did not win the competition and missed out on the promised recording contract, their success quickly followed. As reported by British media, One Direction sold 70 million records worldwide. Over their six years together, they released five studio albums and became one of the best-selling boy bands in history, with hit songs like What Makes You Beautiful, Story of My Life, and Night Changes.

In 2012, One Direction made history by becoming the first British group to debut at number one on the U.S. music charts with their album Up All Night. Later the group broke and Liam Payne began his solo career in 2017, but he struggled to achieve the same level of fame he experienced with the group.

Liam Payne left his family behind

Liam Payne was born in Wolverhampton in 1993 to Karen and Geoff Payne. His mother worked as a nursery nurse, while his father was a fitter. 

He has two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola.

Looking at Liam Payne's relationships

Since rising to fame at the age of 16 as a member of One Direction, Liam Payne has rarely been single and has had several high-profile relationships. He met Danielle Peazer at an audition for The X Factor in 2010, and they dated for two years. In 2013, he began a relationship with his childhood friend Sophie Smith, but she ended things in 2015.

Liam shares a seven-year-old son, Bear Grey Payne, with Cheryl Cole, 41. The couple first met in 2008 when Cole served on The X Factor audition panel and was impressed by Liam's charisma. They started dating in 2015 and made their first public appearance together at Eva Longoria’s Global Gift Gala. They welcomed Bear in March 2017 but separated in 2018, maintaining a co-parenting relationship.

In August 2018, Liam was spotted with Maya Henry, but they only publicly confirmed their relationship in September 2019. He became engaged to the American model in August 2020, but they broke up during the lockdown, announcing the end of their engagement in June 2021. Most recently, Liam was dating influencer Kate Cassidy, 25, with whom he was on holiday at the time of his passing.

Liam Payne's life was surrounded by controversies

Struggles in solo career

After One Direction disbanded, Liam Payne faced challenges in his solo career. His debut single, Strip That Down, featuring Quavo, enjoyed considerable success.

However, his subsequent releases struggled to replicate that initial popularity, sparking discussions about his musical direction.

Battles with addiction and mental Health

Payne has been candid about his mental health and addiction issues, revealing in 2019 that the pressures of fame nearly drove him to despair. His journey toward sobriety received much attention, and in 2023, he proudly celebrated achieving six months of sobriety.

Relationship with Cheryl Cole

Payne’s relationship with Cheryl Cole attracted considerable media interest, particularly because of their ten-year age difference. 

Although they welcomed a son named Bear, the couple separated in 2018, which intensified the media scrutiny surrounding them.

Controversy over relationship with Maya Henry

When Payne began dating Maya Henry, a 19-year-old fan of One Direction, he faced backlash due to their age difference. 

Their relationship, which ended in 2022, was marred by allegations of infidelity and abuse, further complicating Payne’s public image.

Backstage incident

During a podcast appearance in 2022, Payne recounted an incident where a bandmate threw him against a wall during a backstage altercation. 

Although he didn’t reveal the identity of the bandmate at the time, his ex-girlfriend later disclosed in a TikTok video that it was Zayn.

TikTok controversy with Kate Cassidy

A TikTok video featuring Payne and his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, ignited controversy when he commented on her outfit, saying, “You look good. Nice and covered up for once.” 

This remark drew widespread criticism for its perceived misogynistic tone.

Abuse allegations from ex-fiancée Maya Henry

Maya Henry accused Payne of abusive behaviour during their relationship, claiming he pressured her into having an abortion. These allegations have significantly tarnished Payne's reputation.