Life after 1D – 

One Direction’s indefinite hiatus in 2016 started after the release of their final album Made In the A.M., for which Payne participated in producing. He started his solo career in 2017 with his first and only Billboard top 10 hit “Strip That Down” featuring Quavo.  That same year, he welcomed his son Bear into the world with Cheryl Cole, one of the X Factor judges Payne met during his time on the show.  After Payne and Cole called it quits in 2018, he released his first solo album LP1 the following year. The album was subject to scrutiny from both the general public and former One Direction fans, but Payne continued to pursue music and released his single “Teardrops” in 2023, stating that he was working on his second album to be released the following year.

Since One Direction’s split, Payne dealt with substance abuse and was believed to be in recovery since checking into treatment and catching up with his fans in a Youtube video posted in July 2023, titled “I’m Back…”. While battling his addiction, Payne has tried to be present for his seven-year-old son, Bear.

“I don’t think up until this point I really had much to say to him other than just caring for him and loving him very deeply, which are obviously the most important things. But I just kind of feel like I’ve got more of a grip on life now and everything that was kind of getting away from me, I’ve got more of a handle on it,” Payne said to fans.

What happened – 

Payne was in Buenos Aires, Argentina to attend former bandmate Niall Horan’s concert. Earlier in the day of Wednesday, October 16th, Payne posted a positive video on Snapchat showcasing his “lovely day” in Argentina with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy. 

Later that night, Payne was reported to be in his hotel room under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The hotel manager made a 911 call noticing that he might be a threat to himself, according to CNN. His CasaSur luxury hotel room was found trashed with a broken television, remains of burned wax and aluminum foil, lighters, and drugs, according to the New York Post.

In a statement to the Associated Press, Pablo Policicchio, the communications director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry, stated Payne “had jumped from the balcony of his room.”

Payne was found on the ground outside of his hotel balcony, his phone, a lighter, and a bottle of alcohol on him. He was declared dead on site by paramedics, suffering many wounds from the third-story drop. 

It is unclear whether his death was a direct result of his intoxication or if it stemmed from other internal issues.

1D’s impact  –

 “Story of My Life,” “Night Changes,” “What Makes You Beautiful”. These songs garner over 500,000 streams daily to this day. One Direction still has 23,000,000 followers on Instagram. 

Fans Gather Outside Hotel – 

Hundreds of fans of One Direction and the solo singer alike gathered outside the CasaSur Palermo Hotel and decorated the site with candles and flowers. Holding their own moment of silence. According to CNN, the fans sang numerous One Direction songs including “More Than This” and “Up All Night.”