Simon Cowell has opened up about Liam Payne’s death, defending himself against criticisms over his part in the One Direction star’s formative years after launching him to fame on The X Factor.
Payne, who died in October 2024 after falling from the balcony of a Buenos Aires hotel while under the influence of drugs, first found fame at the age of 16 on the singing show.
He originally auditioned in 2008 but was told by Cowell, 66, it was not his time, and he should return in a few years, which he did in 2010.
Over a year since his death, Cowell has defended himself against criticisms from former X Factor stars and fans of Payne who believe the music mogul wronged the bandmates.
‘I don’t read any of this stuff because if I did, you would just torture yourself,’ Cowell told the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast when asked whether it was ‘hurtful’ when people landed on him as someone to blame for Payne’s death.
‘The idea that you are essentially responsible for somebody’s life, 10 years after you’ve signed someone? You can’t do that,’ Cowell explained.
Reflecting on how he felt on hearing about Payne’s death, Cowell said: ‘When I heard the news, it really hit me. I saw him a year before this happened. He came over to my house. We talked about his son and being a dad.
‘I remember saying, “Music is not everything. Don’t let it run your life anymore. Find something else that you are passionate about.” You ask yourself that question: “Could I have done anything more? What would’ve happened to Liam if he hadn’t been in the band?”
‘Having spoken to his mom and dad recently, all they kept telling me was he was so proud of what he had achieved. I wish I could turn back the clock, of course. When I spoke to him that day, I felt really good about him. I thought, “Wow, you seem in a really good place.”’
After auditioning for The X Factor solo, teenagers Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik were put together as a group by judges including Cowell, and formed the world famous band responsible for hits including That’s What Makes You Beautiful and Story of My Life.
The series was produced by Simon Cowell’s production company Syco and Freemantle TV and broadcast on ITV.
After One Direction finished in third place, Cowell signed the group to his Syco Entertainment record label, releasing their debut album in 2011 and becoming globally loved.
While the band split in 2016 after six years together, after Payne’s death some looked towards Cowell and the X Factor as a formative part of his life to find answers about what happened to the late star.
This came after former X Factor contestants spoke out about their negative experiences on the show, before and in the wake of Payne’s death.
Rebecca Ferguson, who was in the same series as One Direction, accused the show of ‘exploitation and profiteering’ off young stars, writing that Payne would be alive today had he not auditioned.
Meanwhile former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne, who left the series in 2007, wrote after Payne’s death: ‘Where was this industry when you needed them? You were just a kid when you entered one of the toughest industries in the world. Who was in your corner? Rest in peace my friend.’
Payne’s friend and fellow X Factor contestant Katie Waissel wrote: ‘If Simon Cowell dare put a statement out on the heart wrenching, tragic loss of my dear and darling friend Liam, he would be a fool. We all know the truth… and I’ll be sure it all comes out.’
Waissel, who was on the same series as Payne and One Direction, accused the show of ‘failure to prioritise the emotional and physical welfare’ of artists and concerned with ‘profits rather than the people’.
After Payne’s death, Cowell took to social media with a heartbroken statement.
‘You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens,’ Cowell wrote.
‘Liam, I am truly devastated. 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.
‘This is so difficult to put into words right now. I went outside today, and I thought about so many times we had together. I wanted to let you know what I would always say to the thousands of people who would always ask me. What is Liam like?
‘And I would tell them you were kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, focused. And how much you loved music. And how much love you genuinely had for the fans.
‘I had to tell you when you were 14 that this wasn’t your time. And we both made a promise that we would meet again. A lot of people would have given up. You didn’t. You came back and within months the whole world knew Liam. And you never forgot the fans. I watched you spending so much time with people who had wanted to meet you. You really cared.
‘You came to see me last year. Not for a meeting. Just to sit and talk. And we reminisced about all of the fun times we had together. And how proud you were to be a Dad. After you left, I was reminded that you were still the sweet, kind boy I had met all of those years ago. I have met your son, Bear. He has your smile and that twinkle in his eye that you have.
‘And he will be so proud of everything you achieved. And how you achieved it.
‘I always thought of the 5 of you in the band as brothers. And regarding their messages today I believe you were.
‘And now Liam, I can see the effect you had on so many people. Because you left us too soon.
‘Rest in peace, my friend. And I am sending my love, thoughts and prayers to your family.’
He concluded: ‘Liam, I am devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty.’
Shortly after it was shared on social media, the post was removed. It was then shared once again, this time the comments feature was turned off.
In an interview with Diary of a CEO in June 2024, Simon said he regretted not having ‘owned the name’ One Direction, explaining that as the former bandmates all own it, they can stop others from touring under its banner.
‘If one of the band members, for whatever reason, say they don’t want to tour, it can stop the others [from] touring,’ he explained. ‘So, if it was me who owned the name, it wouldn’t be a problem.’
Payne once spoke about how Cowell helped his relationship with Cheryl begin. The former couple went on to have son Bear together.
‘I went to Simon’s house, and made a joke about how hot Cheryl was. Simon was like, “I know who’s going to be the next Mrs Payne!’ he said on the Straight Talking with Ant Middleton podcast.
‘Then I was in a bar and Niall came in and told me that Cheryl liked me. I was like “Cheryl? Cheryl?” Niall was in Simon’s dressing room, Simon said my name, she went red and left.’
Elsewhere in the interview, Cowell revealed he’s staying young by going to a wellness clinic which takes his blood, rinses it, filters it and ‘puts it back into your body’.
Reflecting on his legacy, Cowell said: ‘I’d like to be remembered as somebody who’s always worked hard. I do believe that I’ve been nice to everyone I’ve met.
‘I’ve met a lot of people who are nice on camera [but] are absolute monsters off camera. I am the same person on and off camera.’
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