Music mogul Simon Cowell has spoken publicly for the first time about the harrowing moment he was informed of Liam Payne's tragic death, describing the shock as comparable to learning of his own father's passing.
The Devastating News
Simon Cowell, the 66-year-old X Factor creator, recalled the 'awful' incident during an appearance on The New York Times' The Interview podcast. He described how a close colleague entered his room with a visibly upset expression before delivering the devastating news about the former One Direction star.
'It was a bit like when I heard the news that my dad had passed away,' Cowell explained. 'It's very difficult to put into words how you feel, other than just a shock.' The television judge admitted he wasn't thinking clearly in that moment, with his first instinct being to reach out to Payne's parents.
A Parent's Immediate Response
'I just remember saying "I really need to speak to his mum and dad, can you get them on the phone,"' Cowell revealed. 'As a parent, you know what that must have felt like. I knew his mum and dad and I just wanted to reach out in that moment. It was just awful.'
Liam Payne died in Buenos Aires on October 16, 2024, after falling from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Palmero Hotel. The shocking news sent ripples through the music industry and among fans worldwide.
Reflections and Regrets
Cowell reflected on meeting Payne in the same room just one year earlier, noting that the singer appeared to be 'in a really good place' at the time. 'He looked great, he had been going to the gym and we talked about his son,' Cowell remembered. 'We talked about how there was more to life than just music. We just hung out as friends.'
Despite the positive nature of their last meeting, Cowell confessed to questioning whether he could have done more to help the pop star. 'If I could go back in time to that one day that he was in my house... you always think about things like that,' he admitted. '"What if I'd said this, what if I'd said that" but there's only so much you can do.'
The music executive also shared insights about the challenges of managing fame in the modern music industry. 'I don't honestly know what is harder, trying to be famous or managing your fame,' he mused. 'I can say this about myself, I made my own choices. It comes with pressure and stress but that is what I signed up for.'
Cowell first met Liam Payne when the singer auditioned for X Factor at just 14 years old. Following Payne's death, Cowell released a touching tribute describing him as 'kind, funny and talented' and noting that he 'never forgot the fans.'
Simon Cowell was later photographed comforting Liam's parents, Geoff and Karen, following their son's funeral, demonstrating the enduring connection between the music mogul and the family of the artist he helped discover.
