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Liam Payne

Historical Figure

Liam Payne

1993–2024

English singer and songwriter (1993–2024)

Modern

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Biography

Liam James Payne was an English singer and songwriter. He was a member of the pop band One Direction, one of the best-selling boy bands of all time, alongside Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson. Payne twice auditioned as a solo artist on the British television series The X Factor in 2008 and 2010; in the latter, he was invited to join One Direction alongside fellow contestants, placing third and later achieving global success.

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In Their Own Words (5)

Timeline

The story of Liam Payne, told in moments.

2010 Event

Auditioned for The X Factor a second time. He'd first tried at 14 in 2008. This time the judges grouped him with four other solo contestants. They called themselves One Direction. They placed third but outsold the winner.

2013 Life

One Direction became one of the best-selling boy bands of all time. Their first four albums all debuted at No. 1 in the US. Payne co-wrote several tracks and produced remixes under the name Big Payno.

2017 Event

Released "Strip That Down" as his debut solo single. It reached No. 3 in the UK and No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Multi-platinum in both countries. In three years of solo work he sold over 18 million singles.

2024 Death

Died at 31 after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires while intoxicated. He'd struggled publicly with substance abuse and mental illness throughout his career. Five people were later charged in connection with his death.

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