Cover From his X Factor auditions to his talks about mental health: Tatler remembers Liam Payne’s career through five defining moments (Photo: Instagram / @liampayne)
From his X Factor auditions to his talks about mental health: Tatler remembers Liam Payne’s career through five defining moments (Photo: Instagram / @liampayne)
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Former One Direction member Liam Payne died on October 16 aged 31. To celebrate his career and impact on the music scene, Tatler looks at five key moments from Payne’s life
Producer and singer-songwriter Liam Payne, best known for being one of five members of the British boyband One Direction, died on October 16 aged 31, in Argentina.
Following the tragic news, fans worldwide are mourning the death of the artist, who was beloved by young Millennials and older Gen Z alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik from 2010 to 2016, or with his solo career.
To honour his memory, Tatler looks at five important moments from Payne’s career which impacted Directioners, as One Direction’s fans are known, in a special way.
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When Liam Payne (re)audition for The X Factor in 2010
Above When Liam Payne (re)auditioned for The X Factor in 2010
In 2008, a 14-year-old Payne auditioned for the fifth series of The X Factor, where he impressed judges with Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me To The Moon. Despite being initially cut, judge Simon Cowell called him back, only for Payne to be rejected again. Cowell advised him to return to the show in two years.
Payne re-auditioned in 2010 for the seventh series, singing Michael Bublé’s Cry Me A River—a moment that went viral online before being viral was even a thing. He narrowly missed out on being entered into the solo category but was grouped with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik to form a boy band, qualifying for the “Groups” category. This marked the birth of what would become the massively successful One Direction.
When the world discovered Liam Payne with ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ by One Direction
Above When the world discovered Liam Payne with ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ by One Direction
The X Factor’s viewers knew what was coming—but the world didn’t. When One Direction released their debut song What Makes You Beautiful in 2011, it took the UK and the world by storm. It immediately topped the charts in the UK, reaching #1 on the UK Singles Chart, and peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
To date, the song has been listened to more than 1.3 billion times on Spotify, and the music video viewed more than 1.5 billion times.
When Liam Payne was recognised as One Direction’s main songwriter
Above From left: Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne from One Direction at the 28th Annual ARIA Awards 2014 (Photo: Getty Images)
From left: Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne from One Direction at the 28th Annual ARIA Awards 2014 (Photo: Getty Images)
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Payne was known for his impressive vocals, but also for his writing skills.
He was one of the principal songwriters in One Direction and was credited for co-writing more than half of the songs on the band’s third and fourth albums. Among others, he co-wrote the chart-breaking Story of My Life (2013), Steal My Girl (2014), Night Changes (2014), and Perfect (2015), which were all part of the band’s ten most listened-to songs overall.
In 2014, Payne, alongside Tomlinson, was named the highest-earning member of the boyband, receiving a larger cut of royalties than the other three bandmates.
When Liam Payne debuted as a solo artist
Above When Liam Payne debuted as a solo artist
Following One Direction’s disbandment in 2016, Payne started to work as a producer, director and songwriter for fellow artists such as Hometown, Cheryl Cole, Juicy J and more.
In 2017, he released his debut solo single, Strip That Down, featuring Quavo and co-written with Ed Sheeran and Steve Mac. The track was a commercial success, peaking at #10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the UK Singles Chart.
When Liam Payne opened up about mental health and alcoholism
Above When Liam Payne opened up about mental health and alcoholism
In recent years, Liam Payne has openly shared his battles with alcoholism, mentioning struggles dating back to One Direction’s peak.
In July 2023, he posted a video on his YouTube channel where he discussed his journey to sobriety, revealing that he sought help in a rehab facility. He also disclosed his ADHD diagnosis as an adult and his hospitalisation for a kidney infection. He continued to be candid about his mental health struggles, offering hope and support for others in similar situations.
Salomé Grouard was Digital Editor and Front & Female Content Lead at Tatler Hong Kong. Primarily focused on managing Tatler Hong Kong’s digital platform and content, she also covers gender equality, the music scene and sports through interviews with industry leaders, experts and trendsetters.
Interview highlights include renowned conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, Korean actor Park Seo Jun, singer Jorja Smith, Chinese TV host Yue-Sai Kan, YouTuber Kimono Mom, Japanese rapper Awich, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter Mikey Musumeci.
She has also produced stories on revolutionising sexual wellness in Asia, activism within the surfing community, Asian trans musicians reclaiming their narratives through music and looked at the toxicity of gym culture through the lens of the plus-size community. She also covers music festivals, such as Hong Kong’s Clockenflap and Bali’s Suara.
