Liam Payne’s viral gaffes overshadow his One Direction legacy following his tragic death at 31

As fans mourn Payne, his viral missteps resurface, including his baffling 2022 interview on Will Smith’s Oscars slap.

Liam Payne, the former One Direction star, tragically passed away on Wednesday at the age of 31 after reportedly falling from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires.

Payne’s death has shocked fans worldwide, but it has also led to the resurfacing of viral moments and bizarre public appearances that turned the singer into an internet sensation in recent years.

Known for his rise to fame with One Direction, Payne’s later years were marked by unusual appearances that became fodder for memes and online jokes.

In 2022, a strange interview with Payne, where he discussed Will Smith’s infamous Oscars slap, went viral due to his confusing accent and rambling speech. "He didn’t know being Chris Rock, he didn’t wanna do what he had to being Will Smith, and she did nothing, being Jada," Payne said during the interview, leaving viewers baffled.

He later explained that he had "a lot to drink" that night and claimed to be a "social chameleon" whose accent changes depending on his surroundings.

Payne’s viral moments didn’t stop there. Clips of him dancing at Niall Horan’s concert in Buenos Aires have recently gone viral, with fans comparing him to 'The Office' character David Brent.

"Watching Liam Payne dance at that concert is giving me serious David Brent vibes," one user commented.

One of Payne’s most infamous public faux pas occurred in 2015 when fans accused him of erasing Zayn Malik’s presence from One Direction.

After posing with a fan while holding a band poster, Payne appeared to cover Malik’s face, which had fans fuming.

"How dare you cover Zayn’s face? Don’t f**king do it again," a fan angrily tweeted. Payne attempted to make light of the situation, responding with, "#makinglightofasituation sorry for the laughs guys."

In addition to these viral moments, Payne has also faced personal challenges. His ex-fiancée, Maya Henry, has accused him of "weaponizing" the One Direction fan base and obsessively contacting her years after their breakup.

Henry recently took to TikTok, revealing that Payne had been messaging her from different phone numbers, saying, "He told me it was Zayn, so..." when discussing an alleged incident between Payne and Malik.

@mayahenry

#duet with @bee! Sorry i couldnt hold this info in anymore 😭

♬ Succession Main Theme - L'Orchestra Nazionale di Mendoni

Despite the controversies, Payne’s passing has left fans and former bandmates mourning the loss of the pop star, who had openly spoken about his struggles with fame and mental health. Payne once said in an interview, "I was worried how far my rock bottom was going to be... And you would never have seen it."

As fans reflect on his life and career, Liam Payne’s legacy is being shaped by his contributions to music and the eccentric moments that made him a trending figure on the internet.