CONTENT WARNING: This article contains references to drug addiction.
A music industry insider has slammed Liam Payne‘s manager for pushing him to sign on to a Netflix series amidst alleged ongoing drug abuse issues.
The source, who claims to have been close with the singer since his days with One Direction, told Page Six that they were “shocked” to discover that the 31-year-old’s manager had signed him up for Netflix’s upcoming series Building the Band alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Kelly Rowland because he’d just come out of a rehab facility.
“His manager pushed him to do the show and there were a lot of worried texts exchanged between us,” the insider said.
“We were shocked, there was no way he was in any shape to do this.
“Liam had, in the last few months, become very isolated by a new group of people away from [those] who cared for him and who’d been trying to help him for a long time.”
Previously, Page Six reported that Payne had recently signed on with a new manager who had been allegedly pushing him to go back on tour. Another source told the publication that the manager was also influential in encouraging the star to move to Miami and “away from all his friends”. However, his move to Miami was also to live with his girlfriend of two years Kate Cassidy.
According to the second insider, Payne had been struggling with a drug addiction following One Direction going on hiatus in 2015.
“He was heartbroken and never really recovered,” the source said.
“He was lost without his brothers.”
Payne filmed the Netflix show in early 2024 and continued texting with Scherzinger after filming wrapped. The pair had initially met in 2010 when she was an X Factor judge who helped to put One Direction together.
On Instagram, Scherzinger shared a touching tribute to the late singer.
“I will forever cherish and treasure the time we shared together, from fifteen years ago when One Direction was born, right up until just a few weeks ago,” she wrote on Instagram.
“It was such a blessing to get to work with you recently. We shared the same love and passion for music and I will forever remember the meaningful and joyful conversations we had. It’s been so hard to process that you’re no longer here, but I am grateful to have known your kind heart, sweet soul and character.
“You brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the lives of those who truly knew you. I will “miss you” my friend and carry you in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. 🙏🏽♥️”
Liam Payne died suddenly on October 16 after falling from a third-storey balcony of a Buenos Aries hotel. He died from injuries related to his fall. However, a preliminary toxicology report revealed that he had multiple drugs in his system.
His family, friends and One Direction bandmates have released tributes to the beloved singer after his death.
If you need mental health support, or support involving substance misuse and addiction, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or chat online.
You can also reach the Alcohol Drug Information Service at 1800 250 015 or chat online.
You can find helplines and resources at DrinkWise.
Under 25? You can reach Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
If you require immediate assistance, please call 000.
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