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Big Ambitions
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Liam Payne was born in Wolverhampton in the U.K. In 2008, when he was14, he competed on the X Factor for the first time. He impressed the judges but ultimately didn’t make it onto the show. Simon Cowell encouraged him to come back.
The Beginning
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In 2010, Payne returned to the X Factor and wowed the judges with Michael Bublé’s version of “Cry Me a River.” He was eventually put into a group with fellow contestants Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik to form One Direction.
The ‘X Factor’ Run
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In the group, Payne stood out with his vocals and his serious approach to the music. One Directioln’s first performance as a five-piece band ended up being a rendition of Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn” for Simon Cowell and British-American singer Sinitta.
Instant Popularity
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The guys in One Direction quickly won over the audience and gained a following as a boy band. Each week, their performances got them further and further in the show’s competition rounds. They came in third place.
Number Ones
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One Direction was signed to Syco Records. They began working on their first album and leveraging the momentum and popularity they’d found on the reality show. In September 2011, they launched their first single “What Makes You Beautiful,” which hit the top of the U.K. charts.
Band of Brothers
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The bandmates became close-knit friends. Over the years, despite members of the group going their different ways, they’d always talk about their connection and history together. “We always try and support each other where we can,” Niall told Esquire in April 2023. “We’re all texting each other individually, if anyone’s got a song coming out or a thing, even outside of work, we know we have each other.”
Taking the World By Storm
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Out of the gate, One Direction showed their time in the spotlight wasn’t limited to X Factor. They released their debut album Up All Night in 2011. In 2012, they followed it up with Take Me Home.
Vocal Power
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Payne sings on NBC’s Today in 2012. Payne established himself as both a strong vocalist and an inspired songwriter in the group, also winning the nickname “Daddy Direction” for his no-nonsense approach and desire to always get things done.
New Chapters
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The guys attend a signing of their book ‘Where We Are Held, which came out. In 2013. The book chronicled their rise to fame and their success as a singing group.
In Honor of 1D Day
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Payne jokes around with pro-wrester Kurt Angle during 1D Day, a seven-hour livestream event that helped celebrate the release of their third album Midnight Memories.
Hitting the Stage
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In 2013, One Direction released “Best Song Ever,” the lead single from Midnight Memories. They also kicked off their first all-stadium tour Where We Are Tour, which was their last full tour as the original group.
Hoop Dreams
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Payne plays basketball before a One Direction concert at MetLife Stadium in 2014. In September of that year, One Direction announced their fourth studio album Four.
Solo Moves
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Payne on the set of his music video for his solo single “Get Low” with Zedd. After Malik announced his departure from the group, the group members began working on individual projects. Payne released his debut album LP1 in 2019.
The Queen and I
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Payne meets Queen Elizabeth II after the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 2018.
For You
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Payne performs with Rita Ora in October 2018 at a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the London shopping center Westfield. Their duet that year on “For You,” from the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack, was one of his biggest solo hits.
I Am Bolt
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Payne attends the London premiere of I Am Bolt, the documentary feature about record-setting Olympic champion Usain Bolt, in November 2016.
Soccer Aid
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An avid fan of the West Bromwich Albion football club, Payne participated twice in Soccer Aid, an all-star charity match raising funds for UNICEF. Here, he trains at a resort in Hertfordshire ahead of the June 2023 match.
All of Those Voices
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Payne poses with fans at the U.K premiere of All of Those Voices, a documentary film about his One Direction bandmate Louis Tomlinson, in March 2023. “All the boys have been there for me,” he said. “I’ve suffered a bit of a dark time in my life at the moment. Honestly, I wouldn’t be here without the boys.”
Paris Fashion Week
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In March 2024, just a few months before his life ended, Payne was in Paris for Fashion Week. While he was there, he enjoyed a Robert Mapplethorpe photo show organized by his friend Edward Enninful, former editor of British Vogue.
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