5 hours Ago By [email protected] (Ellie Iorizzo, Paige Ingram)
Former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne has shared her concerns about the music industry in the wake of Laim Payne's tragic death this week. The 72-year-old said the music industry had failed One Direction star Liam Payne , who was "just a kid" when he entered "one of the toughest industries in the world". The music industry has been shaken by the news after police confirmed Liam’s tragic death on Wednesday.
The former One Direction hitmaker was holidaying in Buenos Aires with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy when he fell around 13 or 14 metres from the third floor of a hotel. While City ambulance service provider spokesman Alberto Crescenti said he had fallen around 40 feet and suffered “severe injuries which were incompatible with life.” Liam rose to fame after being put together with Harry Styles , Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson on The X Factor in 2010.
Sharon, who was a judge on the ITV talent show for seven years, made a guest appearance on the 2010 show to assist Louis Walsh at the judges' houses phase of the competition. READ MORE: Police and forensics pictured at Argentina hotel where One Direction star fell to death The band very quickly became one of the biggest boybands in the world and with millions of fans tributes continue to pour in for the 31-year-old singer-songwriter - with Sharon being one of the latest celebrities to comment. Sharon took to Instagram to say: "Liam, my heart aches.
We all let you down. Where was this industry when you needed them? You were just a kid when you entered one of the toughest industries in the world. Who was in your corner? Rest in peace my friend".
One Direction finished third in The X Factor behind Rebecca Ferguson and winner Matt Cardle. The group released five studio albums and won seven Brit Awards, including for their 2012 debut hit What Makes You Beautiful and the track History from their last album in 2015. Liam previously said he struggled with alcoholism at the peak of his success, describing hitting "rock bottom" to The Diary Of A CEO podcast host Steven Bartlett.
He admitted his addiction to alcohol continued during the Covid pandemic, but in 2023 he posted a YouTube video confirming he was almost six months sober after nearly 100 days in a US rehab facility. According to reports, staff at the Argentine hotel where Liam died made two calls to emergency services with audio revealing a staff member had asked for assistance for a guest who was "intoxicated by drugs and alcohol". Police in Buenos Aires said the music star's hotel room had been "in complete disarray" with "various items broken", adding that a whiskey bottle, lighter and mobile phone had been retrieved where Payne's body was found.
Liam's One Direction bandmates have said they are "completely devastated" by the news of his death, adding: "The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever." In a statement signed "Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry", Liam Payne's One Direction bandmates said earlier: "We're completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.
But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. "The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.
We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam." In an official statement given to The Associated Press, police authorities disclosed that the 31 year old singer "had jumped from the balcony of his room," apparently dispelling any notions of an accidental fall or foul play.
The investigation into Liam's death intensifies with police on the lookout for a drug supplier following the discovery of narcotics in his hotel suite..
