Simon Cowell Recalls Finding Out About Liam Payne’s Tragic Death

Simon Cowell has opened up about the moment he learned of Liam Payne’s untimely death, describing it as a total shock. The former X Factor judge shared his reflections during the November 29 episode of The New York Times is the Interview podcast.

“It’s very difficult to put into words how you feel other than it’s just a shock. Total shock and a surprise. Even though my dad was in his 80s, I was still really surprised. And obviously with Liam, even more surprised because he was so young,” Cowell said.

He recalled that a close colleague came to his room in northern England with a look of distress, and soon delivered the tragic news. “I just remember saying I really need to speak to his mom and dad. Can you get them on the phone as soon as possible, please? As a parent, you know what that must have felt like,” Cowell added.

The 66-year-old also reflected on the time he spent with Payne a year before his death. “I’d seen him about a year before in this room, and I looked at him and said, ‘God, you look amazing, Liam.’ We talked about his son and what it means to be a dad. I was talking to him about how there’s more to life than just music, that you’ve got choices now. We were just hanging out as friends, so that’s why I was so shocked and surprised when I heard the news.”

Cowell, who famously formed One Direction in 2010 during the group’s X Factor journey, also touched on the pressures the band members faced during their early fame. Payne had previously spoken about struggles with addiction. Cowell said, “When we were in the band, the best way to manage us because of how big it got was just lock us in our rooms. And of course, what’s in the room? Mini bar. Did I know about that at the time? A little bit.”

Reflecting on his role as a label head rather than a full-time manager, Cowell added, “You can only do so much. I hope they are first of all successful and happy, but you can’t follow them everywhere. You always think about things afterward—what if I’d said this or that—but there’s only so much you can do.”

Cowell first met Payne in 2008 when the singer auditioned for The X Factor. After being eliminated that year, Payne returned in 2010 as part of the band that included Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik.

Tragically, Payne died on October 16 last year at age 31 after falling from a hotel’s third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A translated autopsy report indicated that alcohol, cocaine, and prescription antidepressants were in his system at the time of his death.