Liam Payne dropped by Universal Music days before his death, report reveals

Liam Payne was dropped by Universal Music days before his death, with sources citing his struggling solo career.

Former One Direction star Liam Payne was reportedly dropped by his record label, Universal Music, just days before his tragic death. According to a source who spoke with the Daily Mail, Universal Music cut ties with Payne due to his solo career underperforming. “Liam’s advance was massive and he didn’t recoup [it],” the insider stated. “Out of all of the One Direction boys, Liam was on the wrong path musically.” Payne had signed with Capitol Records, a division of Universal, in 2016 following One Direction’s indefinite hiatus.

The Daily Mail also reported that Payne’s publicity team resigned earlier in October, further complicating his professional and personal struggles. Universal Music expressed devastation over Payne’s death, writing in a statement, “His legacy will live on through his music and the countless fans he inspired and who adored him.”

Payne’s death occurred shortly after a series of personal and legal challenges involving his ex-fiancée, Maya Henry, who had reportedly sent him a cease-and-desist letter the week before. The pop star was feeling “extremely overwhelmed” by the ongoing legal issues, according to the Daily Mail. Payne died after falling from a third-story balcony at a Buenos Aires hotel on Wednesday, an incident that police are still investigating.