Simon Cowell, 66 years old, spoke out this Tuesday (26) about accusations that he was responsible for the death of
Payne, aged 31, died after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, on Argentina. The autopsy indicated polytrauma and internal and external bleeding as the cause of death.
Cowell stated that he does not follow criticism on social media to avoid suffering. Ele questioned the logic of holding a producer responsible for an artist’s fate ten years after the band’s formation.
Formation of One Direction and relationship with Payne
Cowell met Liam Payne in 2010, when the singer was 14 years old and was rejected from “The X Factor”. Dois years later, the producer brought together Payne with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik, creating One Direction.
The group finished the show’s seventh season in third place and released five studio albums. The band went on four world tours and received dozens of awards before the hiatus began in 2016.
Last meeting and advice on parenting
The last face-to-face contact between Cowell and Payne took place about a year before the death. On Na occasion, the two talked about paternity – Cowell is the father of Eric, 11 years old, and Payne was the father of Bear, 8 years old.
Cowell revealed that he advised the singer to reduce his focus on his music career. Ele said he suggested that Payne find other passions besides music. The producer stated that he left the meeting with a good impression of his friend’s emotional state.
Immediate reaction to the news of death
The news of Payne’s death shook Cowell deeply. The producer kept in touch with Geoff and Karen, the singer’s parents, who reported their son’s pride in his achievements in music.
Two days after the incident, Cowell published a tribute on social media. Ele wrote that he was devastated and highlighted the respect and affection he felt for Payne.
Statements by Louis Tomlinson on the topic
Louis Tomlinson also spoke out about One Direction’s intense routine. In an interview with the newspaper The Independent in October, he stated that he did not blame anyone for the band’s heavy schedule.
Tomlinson acknowledged that the group only had a few days off. Ele highlighted that Liam Payne always made himself available to his colleagues. The singer described Payne as a person who prioritized his friends even in difficult times.
Details of the investigation at Argentina
Argentine authorities concluded that Payne suffered a fractured skull and died instantly. The report indicated that the singer was probably unconscious at the time of the fall.
The medical report listed polytrauma as the main cause. Foram hemorrhages were recorded in the skull, chest, abdomen and limbs. The cranial injuries alone would have been sufficient to cause death.
