by Olukorede Owoeye, Alexander Aiyidu, and Tomiwo Ojo
Liam Payne, a celebrity member of One Direction, died late last night. Although he initially auditioned for The X Factor, in 2008. It was after a second audition in 2010 that he was placed in a group with four other contestants to form what will be remembered as one of the greatest boy bands of all time.
One Direction achieved global success before going on hiatus in 2015 after which Liam started his solo career. He signed to Republic Records in North America, released his first studio album, and went on to amass 3.9 billion streams in the first three years of his solo career.
Unfortunately, that solo career was cut short when Liam Payne died instantly after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the age of 31 last night.
Before his fall and subsequent death, the Buenos Aires police were summoned to the hotel by an emergency call from the hotel manager, who reported “an aggressive man who could be under the effects of drugs and alcohol”.
The manager said in the call that “when he is conscious he is destroying the entire room and we need you to send someone”, noting that the man’s life was at risk due to the room having a balcony.
Payne’s death has seen the global music industry pay homage to his lifetime. Several record labels, streaming platforms and artists have shared their condolences via various media, sympathizing with family, friends and fans and calling for support.
Liam Payne is not the first celebrity to die in 2024
Liam Payne joins the list of notable deaths in the entertainment space in 2024, some of which are O. J Simpson who died on April 10 2024 from cancer. Toby Keith, a popular country singer, also passed away in February. Shannen Doherty, popularly known for her roles in 90210, Beverly Hills and Charmed died on July 13 from cancer as well.
While we are sorry to see Liam Payne die, his death has stirred some conversations, mainly because he died under the effects of drugs and alcohol. This is not new to the entertainment industry, as several notable celebrities in the space have passed away from similar circumstances.
When Marilyn Monroe died from suicide and a barbiturate overdose in 1962 at the age of 36, there were several conversations about why a superstar at the peak of her powers would seek to escape reality by taking drugs or even attempt to take her own life.
Bruce Lee died from a prescription drug overdose in 1973 aged 32. Elvis Presley died in 1977 at the age of 42 from a mixed prescription overdose. Kurt Cobain had diazepam found in his body when he was pronounced dead in 1994 at age 27. Benadryl and marijuana were found in Whitney Houston’s body when she was pronounced dead in 2012.
In more recent cases Mac Miller died from a fentanyl and Percocets overdose in 2018 before Juice WRLD similarly bade us farewell a year later in a similar fashion. So while the conversation about artists using substances and dying young would last for a few days after Payne’s death, what are we going to do about it as a society?
There is a school of thought that substance abuse among young celebrities cannot be curbed and regulated because of their excess money and the flashy lives that they lead. However, just because they have access to funds and drugs does not mean that they should.
In his album, The Chairman, M.I Abaga sings “Sometimes you might see me in a range. Looking fly but deep inside l am feeling pain. Cos everywhere there’s pressure. I can feel the strain” emphasizing that he and every other celebrity that you know are Human Beings too.
So how is society caring especially for their mental health to ensure that the pressure MI talks about in the song does not make them seek an unhealthy escape? Korede Bello, who had a nationwide (maybe even global) hit as a teenager and signed with the biggest record label at the time told Netng that he decided to take a break from many things to protect his mental health, a luxury many have not had.
The fan demands and criticism of celebrities on social media can be too harsh sometimes. It is almost as if people expect that they cannot be affected or hurt by the same things that would hurt everyone else.
All of us need to remember that these celebrities are first, humans, and they should be respected, treated, and cared for as such.
People around the world would remember Liam Payne for the man he was. Our thoughts, sympathies and prayers are with the family of Liam, his friends, loved ones and fans in this tough period.
Rest in peace, Liam Payne.
