Liam Payne was reportedly dropped by his record label in a brutal axing just days before his death, it’s been reported.
Payne, 31, was found dead after falling from his third-floor hotel room in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires on Wednesday, dying from multiple traumas and “internal and external haemorrhage”.
Police arrived at the scene having been alerted by hotel staff to reports of an “aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol”. Payne was pronounced dead at the scene.
His death has prompted an outpouring of emotional reactions from music fans across the globe, with One Direction admitting they were “devastated” in a joint statement.
Band members Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson have all released individual tributes to their former bandmate. Each member of the band had gone on to achieve success on the solo stage.
Payne too had continued to make music as a solo artist following One Direction’s split, releasing tracks such as Bedroom Floor and Strip That Down, but shortly before his death, record label Universal Music reportedly decided to cut ties with him.
Liam Payne found fame in One Direction in 2010
GETTY
Payne had been signed with Capitol Records since 2016 following the band’s split but recently, Universal – which owns Capitol – underwent a reshuffle.
As a result, Payne fell under the main label’s talent and the decision was made to cut ties with the singer, putting plans for a second album on hold.
The Daily Mail reports that “multiple sources” have confirmed that Payne was indeed axed by the record label.
One source told the publication: “Liam’s advance was massive and he didn’t recoup [it].
LISTEN HERE: Translated transcript from 911 emergency call made by hotel staff at Liam Payne hotel
“Out of all of the One Direction boys, Liam was on the wrong path musically.”
Nevertheless, the Universal Music Group still paid tribute to the singer, writing on social media: “We are devastated by the tragic passing of Liam Payne.
“His legacy will live on through his music and the countless fans he inspired and who adored him.
“We send our deepest condolences to Liam’s family and loved ones.”
The publication also reports that Payne’s PR had similarly cut ties with the 31-year-old at the same time following a public and legal spat with ex, Maya Henry.
Henry served Payne a cease and desist order in the days before his death, claiming he was “obsessive” in his attempts to regain contact with her.
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🤍🕊️ We are devastated by the tragic passing of Liam Payne. His legacy will live on through his music and the countless fans he inspired and who adored him. We send our deepest condolences to Liam’s family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/KLBAedkCmZ
— Universal Music Group (@UMG) October 17, 2024
Henry has touched upon Payne’s methods of getting her to interact with her with haunting claims on The Internet Is Dead podcast.
She told listeners earlier this month: “He would always message me, ever since we broke up, like ‘Oh, I’m not well’ — he would play with death be like, ‘Well, I’m going to die. I’m not doing well’.
“When I announced my book, he did the same thing. He called my mom [and said], ‘I think I’m not going to be around much longer’ and I don’t play with that.
“So if you say this, I’m going to try to help you no matter what you’ve done.”
Payne had been in a new relationship with girlfriend Kate Cassidy at the time of his death – she’d been in Argentina with him just days earlier.
However, she left the country without the One Direction singer, explaining why in a TikTok video shared on social media.
GB News has contacted Universal Music Group for comment.