Simon Cowell recounted the moment he learned of Liam Payne’s “awful” October 2024 death, sharing that he learned the news while working with a new boy band for his six-part docuseries, “Simon Cowell: The Next Act.”
“Somebody who works with me very closely came into my room,” Cowell, 66, said on Saturday’s episode of the New York Times’ podcast, “The Interview.”
“I was up in the north of England, and I could tell by the look of her face that she was upset. She said, ‘Sit down,’ and she told me.”
Cowell — who discovered Payne and created mega-popular boy band One Direction on his talent competition series, “X-Factor” — said he responded with shock.
“It was like — wow,” he described. “It was a bit like I felt when I heard the news when my dad passed away. It’s very difficult to put into words how you feel. It’s just shock.”
“At that point, you’re not really thinking clearly. I just remember saying: ‘I really need to speak to his mum and dad. Can you get them on the phone as soon as possible please?’”
The episode premiered shortly after Cowell addressed online criticism from those who believed he played a part in Payne’s death by placing too much pressure on Payne and his bandmates.
“I don’t read any of this stuff because if I did, you would just torture yourself. The idea that you are essentially responsible for somebody’s life, 10 years after you’ve signed someone? You can’t do that,” Cowell said on the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast earlier this week.
The former One Direction member died at 31 on Oct. 16, 2024 after sustaining “extremely serious injuries” in a fall from the balcony of his third floor hotel room at CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The music mogul was one of the first to share a public statement honoring the young musician in light of his passing.
“You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens,” Cowell wrote on social media at the time.
“Liam, I am devastated,” Cowell continued. “Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you.”
The “American Idol” alum was later seen embracing Payne’s parents at his November 2024 funeral in the UK.
Payne’s cause of death was later revealed to be multiple traumas that resulted in internal and external bleeding.
Authorities discovered alcohol and drugs in his room following his death.
Five people were eventually charged in the singer’s death including the hotel manager, receptionist, and the singer’s friend Rogelio “Roger” Nores. The trio were each charged with manslaughter.
Meanwhile, two other hotel employees were charged with supplying drugs to the singer, who had checked into rehab several times to combat his struggle with addiction.
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