Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Sharon Osbourne paid tribute to One Direction’s late Liam Payne, who shot to fame on British reality competition The X Factor, where he was a judge.
“You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens,” Cowell wrote in a statement posted to Instagram on Friday. “Liam, I am truly shocked. I am heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. All the tears I shed are memories of you.”
The former “American Idol” judge and music producer expressed how difficult it is for him to put his feelings into words since Payne, 31, died after falling from the third floor of his home on Wednesday. He added that he remembers the time he spent with Payne. Balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires. Argentine authorities said Thursday that Payne died from multiple injuries and internal and external bleeding following the fall, and noted that suspected drugs and evidence of alcohol and drug consumption were found in Payne’s hotel room. The singer’s unexpected death shocked fans around the world.
Cowell said in a statement that he always answers people who ask him what the singer is like.
“I tell them you’re kind, funny, gentle, thoughtful, talented, humble, and focused. And I tell them how much you love music. And how much you love your fans.” “I had so much love in my heart,” Cowell said. He also recalled how during his first appearance on The X Factor in 2008, he told a 14-year-old Payne: “This isn’t your time” and promised they would meet again. Cowell praised Payne for not giving up, saying that within a few months “the whole world knew about Liam”.
One Direction was formed in 2010 after five potential members of the group failed to advance as solo artists on a British talent show produced by Cowell. Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik were instead included in the quintet, which the judges thought would be successful. And they did.
One Direction came in third place on Season 7 of The X Factor, and Cowell signed the group to his label, Psycho Entertainment. They released their debut album in 2011 and became a global phenomenon, earning comparisons to the Beatles. The “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Story of My Life” hitmaker released four more albums and embarked on four headlining tours before Malik revealed why he was leaving the group. After leaving the group due to stress, they disbanded in 2015. All five pursued solo careers with varying degrees of success.
Mr. Payne visited Cowell last year to “sit and talk,” and Mr. Cowell said he remembered Payne as “still the sweet, kind boy I met all those years ago.” He noted that Mr Payne’s son, Bear, still has Mr Payne’s smile and “sparkle in his eyes”, adding: “He’s a great example of everything you’ve accomplished and how you’ve achieved it. I would be very proud.”
Turning his focus back to One Direction, Cowell said he had always considered Payne, Styles, Horan, Tomlinson and Malik like brothers, and reading their tributes to Payne confirmed his belief. .
“And now, Liam, we realize the impact you had on so many people, because you left us far too soon. Rest in peace my friend,” he wrote.
On Thursday, Cowell’s audition for the long-running Britain’s Got Talent series in Blackpool was postponed due to Payne’s “tragic death”.
‘The X Factor’ commemorated Pain Wednesday with its X account.
A statement from the series said: “We are saddened by the sad passing of Liam Payne.” “He is extremely talented and as a member of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy in the music industry and his fans around the world. Our thoughts are with his friends, family and To all who loved him.”
Cheryl Cole, who had a son with Liam Payne, has released a statement about her ex-boyfriend’s death.
(Karwai Tan/Wire Image)
Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole also served as a judge during One Direction’s season and later began dating Payne. Ms Cole broke her silence on Friday about the death of her ex-girlfriend, calling for respect in the wake of her family’s tragedy.
“As I move through this earth-shattering event and try to work through my own grief during this indescribably painful time, I would like to gently remind everyone that we have lost a human being. “I think so,” she said in a statement on Instagram. “Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, but also a son, brother, uncle, dear friend, and father to our seven-year-old son. We have to face the reality that we will never see each other again.”
Cole shared a black and white portrait of Payne in bed with baby Bear. She said she is troubled by the thought that her son will one day be exposed to “abhorrent reporting and media exploitation” about his father’s death, and is even more worried about not being able to protect him from it in the future. He added that he was torn.
“I would ask everyone to consider what use some of these reports might serve other than to pick up the pieces and cause further harm to those left behind. Leave a comment “Before you read or make a video, ask yourself if you want your children and family to read it,” she writes. “Please allow Liam to finally rest in peace with what little dignity he has left in his death.”
In a separate statement, Osbourne blamed the music industry for Payne’s failure.
“Liam, my heart is broken. We have all let you down,” she wrote on Instagram on Wednesday. “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? Friends , may you rest in peace.”
Osbourne’s comments were supported in the comments section, with followers praising her honesty.
“This is probably the most honest thing anyone can say. So respectful. So sad,” one user wrote.
“Thank you Sharon! This music industry always lets people down. It’s full of people who are only interested in making a pound worth of money by exploiting people, especially vulnerable young people,” said the former footballer. added influencer Josh Cuthbert. “In my opinion, it’s about time things changed.”
Osbourne, who is the wife of Black Sabbath rocker Ozzy Osbourne, was a judge on The X Factor from 2004 to 2007. She was not a judge on the series when Payne first auditioned in 2007 or when Payne competed with One Direction in 2010. she returned. He joined the series in 2013 and had another stint from 2016 to 2017.
Other critics accused Cowell and the industry of exploiting young talent.
On Wednesday, Payne’s friend and fellow “X Factor” contestant Katie Weisell preemptively criticized Cowell on X, writing: fool. We all know the truth…and I’m sure it will all come out. ”
In a separate statement, she described Payne as her best friend and confidant, adding that Cowell had “failed to prioritize the mental and physical well-being” of the artist and “placed him above other people.” He once again accused Cowell of focusing on “profits.”
Weisel, whose first post received more than 5 million views and numerous comments, competed on “The X Factor” in 2010 and came in seventh place against the boy band’s third place. She then became a lawyer and planned to sue Cowell and Syco for allegedly using unfair contracts to exploit young artists.
Rebecca Ferguson, who competed on the series in 2010 and has criticized Cowell and The X Factor in the past, also tweeted about Payne’s death. She denounced a series of “exploitation and profiteering” of young stars and wrote that Payne would still be alive today if she hadn’t auditioned.
Times staff writers Alexandra del Rosario and Maria Mendez contributed to this report.
