6 Times Liam Payne Openly Addressed His Mental Health Struggles
- Liam Payne tragically died after falling from a hotel balcony.
- Payne shared his mental health struggles throughout his career.
- He faced challenges like anxiety, loneliness, and substance abuse.
Liam Payne, the former One Direction heartthrob, who made girls swoon and cry, wasn’t always the happy-go-lucky star we saw on stage. Behind that charming smile was a guy who faced some serious mental health struggles.
Over the years, Payne’s been real about his struggles with anxiety, loneliness, and the crazy pressures of fame. From feeling like he was just playing a role on stage to dealing with substance abuse, his story shows the darker side of celebrity life we don’t often see. So, let’s take a look at five times the 1D star kept it real about his mental health.
1. November 2017
In an interview with The Sun, Liam Payne spoke about the reality of performing with One Direction. He described it as putting on a costume—smiling on stage while dealing with personal struggles. Payne recalled a time when the group had to cancel a concert in Belfast because he wasn’t feeling well emotionally. As he said,
And unfortunately I was going through a rough time and I let it get to me a little bit too much. That was it.
The star mentioned that they didn’t celebrate their wins enough. After the band split, he admitted he was in a “totally different place.” Sometimes, taking a step back is the best way to move forward, right?
2. May 2019
In an interview with Esquire Middle East, Payne opened up about his mental health. He stated dealing with fame not just on the surface, but deep down. And the pressure? Real. He admitted to having agoraphobia, a term for fearing situations where escape feels impossible.
Imagine sweating while ordering coffee! Yeah, that was him. “Some days I just don’t want to leave the house,” he confessed. Anxiety can be such a sneaky beast, creeping in when you least expect it. He recognized that this struggle is pretty common in the industry.
3. June 2019
Payne’s candid chat with Men’s Health Australia revealed how touring took a toll on him. Performing the same setlist every night became draining. He compared it to wearing a Disney costume, where beneath the fun, he was often “pis*ed.”
That’s the reality of a glittery life. He pointed out that many artists struggle with mental health and don’t get the help they need. The singer also noted his difficulty in saying no. It looks like he was the ultimate people-pleaser, which can be a total mental health minefield.
4. November 2019
Chatting with Ant Middleton on Straight Talk (according to the Daily Mail), Payne likened fame to a “weird midlife crisis.” Daddy Directioner shared some dark thoughts, saying loneliness sometimes felt like it almost killed him. “When things pile up, it can get you,” he explained.
It’s a reminder that even the brightest stars can feel lost in the crowd. We often think fame equals happiness, but that’s not the case. It’s about surrounding yourself with good vibes and people who check in on you. Life is hard, and having those ride-or-dies can make all the difference.
5. April 2021
During the pandemic, Payne talked to Glamour about how lockdown affected him. It was dark for him, and he wasn’t alone in that. The monotony hit hard—same place, same routine. “I really do not know what to do with myself,” he said.
But, the For You star found a silver lining! Quarantine taught him to relax and not stress about moving forward every second. Instead of being stuck in a cycle of anxiety, Payne learned to chill a bit. He credited his friends and one of the managers for keeping him grounded, stressing the importance of having someone to talk to.
6. One More Time – June 2021
On Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO podcast, Payne got real about his battles with substance abuse and even suicidal thoughts during his One Direction days. “You would never have seen it,” Payne said, pointing out how good he was at hiding his pain.
It’s a heavy admission, and it shows just how tough things can get behind the scenes. But he took control, changing his lifestyle and focusing on his health. The English artist talked about how his friends, including Harry Styles, reached out to check on him.
