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

Active Warning: This article contains mentions of a person’s death and drug abuse.

A recent report from Page Six reveals that Liam Payne was allegedly battling a “significant” drug addiction and was surrounded by young employees eager to get him back on the road to capitalize on his fame before his untimely death.

The One Direction star, who died tragically on October 16 after falling several meters from his hotel room balcony, had recently been dropped by his record label and let go by his London publicist. These setbacks 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. The situation worsened since the 31-year-old was in the company of young employees who were eager to get him back on stage as soon as possible, after a 100-day rehabilitation program that he completed 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 Liam Payne’s case suggests he may have been under the influence when he fell to his death at the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina on October 16. Law enforcement reportedly discovered several over-the-counter drugs on the star. the hotel room, which he allegedly trashed, possibly during a breakdown shortly before his death.

A 911 call from the hotel manager supports these early findings. The call, translated from Spanish to English by the BBC and other media outlets, indicated that hotel management was seriously concerned for Payne’s well-being and the safety of other guests. They reported a man, identified as 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 creator of the beloved pop group, expressed feeling “empty” in the wake of Liam Payne’s death. “You never know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens,” Cowell wrote on Instagram. “Liam, I’m devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty. 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 fans around the world. Despite his grief, fans 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