Simon Cowell faces criticism after Liam Payne’s death as his role is questioned in singer’s death

Following the tragic death of One Direction star Liam Payne at the age of 31, criticism has emerged against music mogul Simon Cowell, with fans and former contestants questioning his role in Payne’s struggles during and after his time in the band. 

Payne died on October 16, 2024, after falling from the balcony of a Buenos Aires hotel. Emergency services director Alberto Crescenti confirmed Payne had suffered serious injuries from the fall, leaving "no possibility of resuscitation."

While many have taken to social media to mourn the late singer, former X Factor contestant Katie Waissel directed her anger at Cowell, stating on X (formerly Twitter), "If Simon Cowell dare put a statement out on the heart-wrenching, tragic loss of my dear and darling friend Liam, he would be a fool." Waissel added, "We all know the truth… and I’ll be sure it all comes out. #justiceforliam."

This backlash echoes sentiments from fans who believe Payne's struggles stemmed from the pressures of his early fame under Cowell’s management. One fan tweeted, "The management and Simon Cowell should bear the greatest responsibility."

Payne had previously opened up about the challenges of fame, telling Men’s Health Australia in 2019 that his rise to stardom left him feeling isolated and dependent on alcohol to cope. "It was fun," Payne said, "but there were certain parts where it just got a little bit toxic."