Did Liam Payne battle ‘significant’ addiction issues before being dropped by the label? Here’s what the report says

Trigger Warning: This article mentions death and drugs

Liam Payne was allegedly battling a “significant” drug addiction and was surrounded by young staffers eager to get him back on the road to capitalize on his fame before his tragic and untimely demise, a recent Page Six report reveals.

The One Direction star, who died on October 16 after falling several meters from his hotel room balcony, was also recently dropped by his record label and subsequently let go by his London publicist . These factors are believed to have contributed to the Teardrops singer’s declining mental health in the time leading up to his death.

“Liam was battling a very serious drug addiction and his treatment, as those who knew him will testify, was not working,” a well-placed industry source revealed to the publication. According to reports, the situation worsened since the 31-year-old was in the company of young employees eager to get him back on stage as soon as possible after he completed a 100-day rehabilitation program in Louisiana on 2023.

“The point 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 working with an artist,” another music source told the network.

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A preliminary investigation into Payne’s case suggests he may have been under the influence when he plunged to his death at the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday. Law enforcement reportedly found several over-the-counter drugs in the star’s room, which he allegedly vandalized, possibly during a breakdown shortly before his death.

A 911 call from the hotel manager corroborates the initial findings of the investigation. The call, translated from Spanish to English by the BBC and other media outlets, revealed that hotel management were seriously concerned for Payne’s well-being, as well as the safety of other guests. They had reported a man, Payne, allegedly under the influence of alcohol or drugs, behaving erratically in the hotel lobby and breaking objects when he was conscious.

Payne’s 1D bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan have issued statements of grief over his death. In their personal tributes shared on their respective social media accounts, the four surviving members of the five-piece band remembered their late friend as a brother with the kindest soul, in addition to his musical prowess.

READ ALSO: ‘Cherish Every Moment’: Liam Payne’s letter to 10-year-old son resurfaces after singer’s death aged 31

On Friday, Simon Cowell, the mastermind behind the beloved pop group, said he felt “empty” in Payne’s absence. “You never know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens,” Cowell wrote via Instagram. “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 I shed is a memory of you.”

Payne is survived by his parents, seven-year-old son Bear, and millions of heartbroken fans around the world who, despite their grief, have found the strength to celebrate his life and legacy.

If you know someone who is suffering from alcohol or substance abuse, contact the authorities and report it. There are various helplines available for the same.

READ ALSO: Did Simon Cowell postpone Britain’s Got Talent auditions after Liam Payne’s tragic disappearance? This is what we know