Liam Payne battled drug addiction before being dropped by his label: ‘…only concerned about making money’

Singer Liam Payne was surrounded by young staff who were ready to get him back on the road to tour and start making money as he suffered from a severe drug addiction, sources have revealed to Page Six. The singer’s tragic death after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina shocked many on Wednesday, October 16. He also found out just a month ago that his label, Universal and his London publicist had dropped him.

Also read: ‘Very unhappy’ Liam Payne ‘begged’ girlfriend Kate Cassidy to stay in Argentina days before his death

Liam Payne’s ‘major’ drug addiction

A well-placed industry source told the network: “Liam was battling a very serious drug addiction and his treatment, as those who knew him will testify, was not working.” They added: “They were really pushing him to go on the road and go back on tour and he had just gotten out of rehab. How many times have we seen this story, where people only care about making money? But that, the company was told that executives at the music label were not very “comfortable” working with the Get Low singer.

Another industry source told the outlet: “The problem is that it’s not just one person who is responsible for everything, as tempting as it is to blame someone. There are a lot of people who work with an artist.” In 2023, Payne spent 100 days in a rehabilitation center in Louisiana. He is believed to have parted company with the management just weeks before his death.

Also Read: Tom Holland Shares Why He Quit Alcohol: ‘Fighting Without Drinking…’

Simon Cowell pays tribute to Liam Payne

Following tributes from Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson, X Factor judge Simon Cowell also posted a heartfelt message for Payne. She wrote on Instagram: “You never know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens. Liam, I’m devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear that I spilled is a memory of you.” Cowell, who formed One Direction in 2010, said he feels “empty” after Payne’s death.