A notorious interview featuring Liam Payne in 2022 provoked a significant response from his former One Direction bandmates.
In that year, Payne appeared on the Impaulsive podcast hosted by Logan Paul, where he gave an alarmingly transparent interview discussing his personal challenges and made strong comments about his former bandmates.
Tragically, just two years later in 2024, Payne passed away after a fall from his balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
A UK coroner later provided a preliminary cause of death as multiple traumatic injuries in January 2025, with the inquest postponed for a subsequent hearing at Beaconsfield Coroner’s Court on 6 November 2025.
Following his passing, five individuals were arrested, although Argentinian authorities eventually dismissed manslaughter charges against one of Payne’s friends and two hotel staff members.
The interview with Paul stirred significant reactions from Payne’s former bandmates.
Louis Tomlinson, another One Direction alum, criticized Paul following the podcast, expressing that he would ‘f**king forever despise’ him for the way the interview unfolded.
During the conversation, Payne was seen drinking whisky as he delved into startling details about his personal struggles.
After the episode aired, he took to social media to address the backlash for his ‘insensitive’ remarks.
“Guys – I wouldn’t normally comment on this stuff but when it’s your family it’s hard to let it slide,” he stated.
“They mentioned a specific incident involving Zayn which I responded to – but listening back maybe I didn’t articulate myself as well as I could have.”
He continued: “I was saying that there will always be things we disagree on but that I will always, always be on his side. That’s family. Zayn is my brother and I will stand by him forever.”
Payne’s abrupt and unexpected death led to a widespread outpouring of grief.
The exact circumstances surrounding Payne’s death, beyond the provisional cause, remain undetermined.
Senior Coroner Crispin Butler noted that the fact Payne died overseas complicates the inquest process, as he lacks the authority to gather evidence as he would within the UK.
He informed the court: “Whilst there are ongoing investigations in Argentina into the circumstances of Liam’s death, over which I have no legal jurisdiction, it is anticipated that procuring the relevant information to address particularly how Liam came by his death may take some time through the formal channel of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.”
A pre-inquest review, which is a hearing in complex cases like this to prepare legally for the inquest, is scheduled for 6 November.