What happened between Zayn & Liam Payne?

On October 16, 2024, it was announced that the British singer Liam Payne had died after falling from a balcony in Argentina. 

The news shocked millions of fans and has sent many into mourning. The singer was 31 years old.

Liam began his foray into music when he auditioned for The X Factor in 2008 at the age of 14.

He progressed to the Judges’ Houses stage of the competition but failed to make it to the live shows.

Two years later, in 2010, he auditioned for the competition again but did not progress beyond the Bootcamp stage.

However, the judges asked Liam to form a new boyband along with Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan.

The band was named One Direction. The group was mentored by Simon Cowell and did exceedingly well in the competition, finishing in third place.

They achieved worldwide fame, selling millions of albums and performing at packed concerts. 

However, in 2015, Zayn departed One Direction, citing his desire to have time away from the spotlight as the reason.

Although Liam Payne continued with the band as a four-piece, the group announced an indefinite hiatus in 2016.

Since then, the members embarked on solo careers. However, it transpired that things were not always smooth between Zayn and Liam Payne.

During an interview, Liam appeared to call out Zayn. He said: “I think it was well-known within the band that I don’t like taking s**t.

“There was one moment when an argument took place, and one member threw me against a wall.

“So I said to him, ‘If you don’t remove those hands, there’s a high likelihood you’ll never use them again.’”

Although Liam did not name the member, his ex-girlfriend alleged that the member who came to blows with Liam was none other than Zayn.

In 2024, Maya Henry said: “I see this all the time, everywhere. I’ve heard this insufferable story so many times.

“He told me it was Zayn, so…”

In Liam’s interview, one of the interviewers admitted his own altercation with Zayn.

To this, Liam responded: “Wayne Malik! There are many reasons why I dislike Zayn, and there are many reasons why I’ll always, always be on his side.

“If I had to go through what he went through during his growth and whatever else.

“You know, are your parents very supportive? My parents are overly supportive to the point where it’s annoying at times, and they don’t even mind me saying that.

“Zayn had a different upbringing in that sense. I can’t commend some of his actions. I can’t be on his side for that.

“What I can say is that you hope that at some point in their life, the person at the other end of the phone is ready to receive the help you’re willing to give them.”

In 2023, Zayn opened up on the split of One Direction. 

He admitted: “There were obviously underlying issues within our friendships, too.

“We’d got sick of each other if I’m being completely honest.

“We’d done crazy things with each other that nobody else in the world will ever understand, and I look back on it now in a much fonder light than I would have [when] I’d just left.

“There were great experiences. I had great times with them, but we’d just run our course.”

Users on Reddit discussed if Zayn would cancel his tour in the wake of Liam Payne’s death.

One user said: “Honestly, I could see it happening. Even if he and Liam aren’t friends anymore, they were a huge part of each other’s lives for so long.

“It’s a tragic, sudden death and at a young age. Grief is hard to know, and it affects people in different ways.

“The tour could help Zayn, but it could also make his anxieties worse, considering he used to tour with Liam (and the rest of the band, obviously,) and that was his last time really performing.

“I can’t help but worry for all the 1D boys and their families. As if Louis hasn’t lost enough people at a young age. 

“Whatever Zayn decides to do is the right choice. (Though I will be so, so, so sad if I don’t get to see him in SF).”

Another person opined: “I think it would be a good professional decision to postpone the tour.

“If he goes on with the tour, the media will harass him and call him insensitive.

“I hope the rest of the guys are okay. This is horrible news.”

Liam shares a son named Bear with his ex-girlfriend Cheryl. He was born in 2017.

Zayn is yet to make an official comment on Liam’s death. 

Liam Payne leaves a lasting legacy in British pop music through his evergreen songs and musical contributions.