Among all the former team members of One Direction, it was Liam Payne who exemplified the indispensable boy-next-door attribute that was integral to their massive success. Payne, who tragically lost his life at the age of 31 after a fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, was the quintessence of the group’s endearing, somewhat disorderly charisma.
Impeccably coiffed hair and a rugged stubble gave him a celebrity aura, yet he maintained a tangible down-to-earth personality that was incredibly vital in One Direction’s journey from X-Factor newbies to a quintet pop sensation that could fill up Croke Park.
Payne’s professional journey outside of One Direction hardly ever revolved around his music. Post the band’s split in 2015, he brought out a single forgettable solo record, LP1. But, much like him, even the prosperous ex-One Direction members seldom depended solely on their music. Recall Harry Styles’ 2023 world tour, it was the fans’ fervor and Styles’s predilection for donning dresses that stole the show, instead of actual chartbusters. One Direction’s hits were more an outcome of their celebrity status than the main objective.
Those who witnessed One Direction’s live shows can vouch for the fact that on stage, they were strikingly different from the archetype boy band. They didn’t really bother dancing – they barely even made an attempt. Their performances were delightfully disordered. There were no customary shirt-removing or showcasing of athletic abs. Instead, their concerts offered plenty of unpredictable conversation. One could always feel like they were mingling with a group of school mates who merely happened to be a part of one of the most prominent entities in pop music.
Payne was skeptical about this approachability. He lacked the radiant magnetism that would catapult Styles and Niall Horan to solo fame, while it is universally acknowledged that Zayn Malik was the ensemble’s top vocalist. However, he possessed a keen awareness of what made One Direction tick, and his on-stage and off-stage affability reflected this understanding. One Direction were not untouchable pop titans – they were those amicable opportunists you recognised from X Factor, with much of that infectious charm radiating from Payne. He also understood the importance of keeping the music intriguing, thus, along with Louis Tomlinson and Horan (forever carrying his acoustic guitar), he started taking a proactive role in the band’s music, earning co-writing accolades on their last few albums.
The distinctiveness of One Direction lay in their ability to successfully evade the pitfalls that have ensnared numerous other youthful pop idols. They kept a vigilant eye on the commercial aspects of their careers and were mindful of the risk of being exploited. They had their episodes of reckless lifestyle, but overall, the members appeared to maintain composure, even when challenging.
“From the very beginning, we were fortunate with the people around us,” Horan confessed to me last year while promoting his solo album, The Show. “Even our parents were understandably clueless about the narrative unfolding. We were really fortunate. Simon [Cowell] and the X Factor had a partnership with a management company. Contestants coming off the show would engage with them and see how their career evolves. When we arrived, it was managed by Richard Griffiths and Harry Magee [of Modest! Management]. They had an adept team. They were impressive individuals. I never felt susceptible or anything of that nature. I always felt like we were properly taken care of. That’s crucial at that age.”
He expressed that following their rise to fame, he and his band members engaged more actively in the artistic process, a shared interest he had with Payne. Initially, they were like deer caught in the headlights, trying to navigate the music industry. However, from their second album onwards, they asserted control over their music and decisions. Initially, there were many songs written by renowned songwriters. As they matured, they started exploring their writing capabilities.
The naive young men who once felt like deer in the headlights turned into some of the most distinguished pop sensations of their era. But fame isn’t for everyone, as the death of Payne provoked conversations around the level of support provided to young artists grappling with stardom. Mikey Graham from Boyzone chimed in on the discourse.
In view of the tragic incident, he suggested that it might be prudent for record companies to engage professional psychologists as a step towards protecting their young talents who may be susceptible to the damaging effects of fame. He highlighted this lack of adequate support, “Loads of money. No assistance. Lots of yes people. No honesty”, on social media.
In 2021, Payne admitted to giving up alcohol after using it excessively for years as a means to manage fame induced stress and mental health issues. The circumstances surrounding his death haven’t been fully disclosed, but his departure marks an incredibly sorrowful conclusion to the journey of five affable lads who won over millions with their charm.