Liam Payne, a former member of the band One Direction, was open about his struggles with drugs and alcohol throughout his career. He first gained fame when he was recruited as a member of One Direction after appearing on The X Factor in 2008. The band went on to become one of the most successful boy bands of all time with hit songs such as “What Makes You Beautiful.” However, Payne’s time in the band took a toll on him mentally and emotionally, leading to alcohol abuse while touring the world.
In various interviews over the years, Payne opened up about his struggles with alcohol and drug abuse. He revealed that he was taking an epilepsy drug as a mood stabilizer, which affected his cognitive functioning. Payne also admitted to struggling with alcohol after releasing his solo track “Strip That Down” in 2017. He shared that he was sober for an entire year to address his alcohol issues but felt that his social life suffered as a result.
In a podcast interview in 2021, Payne disclosed that he didn’t like himself very much at the beginning of his time with One Direction. He mentioned experiencing moments of suicidal ideation and engaging in pills and alcohol. Payne expressed relief when the band broke up in 2016, stating that he needed to stop or it would have killed him. He also described the struggles of touring with One Direction and the easy access to alcohol in their rooms, which contributed to his alcohol abuse.
Following Payne’s death at the age of 31 after a fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, TV host Richard Madeley remembered the artist as being open about his demons with drugs and alcohol. Madeley mentioned that Payne had recently celebrated being 100 days clean and was proud of that achievement. This tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing substance abuse issues and seeking help when needed.
Throughout his career, Payne’s struggles with substance abuse were a recurring theme. Despite his success in the music industry with One Direction, he experienced significant challenges related to addiction. His candid interviews shed light on the pressures and struggles faced by celebrities in the spotlight and the importance of mental health and self-care. Payne’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of reaching out for help and support when facing such challenges.
