Liam Payne’s Comments on Diddy: Revisiting 2017 Interview After One Direction Star’s Untimely Passing

Liam Payne, the former One Direction member who tragically passed away on October 16, once recounted the “most daunting celebrity experience”he had with the renowned hip-hop icon Sean “Diddy”Combs.

In May 2016, during an interview with Australia’s KIIS FM, the British pop sensation revealed that he approached Diddy at a glamorous event, only to feel a wave of embarrassment due to Diddy’s unexpected reaction.

“I walked up to talk to him and Jay-Z, and as I shook his hand, he just chuckled… that was the most sinister laugh I’ve ever heard… So, I have to admit, I’m a bit intimidated by that guy,” Liam shared.

Payne also noted that alongside Jay-Z stood Leonardo DiCaprio, and for reasons unbeknownst to him, he thought that Diddy would be the friendliest of the trio.

“I considered P. Diddy to be a safe choice,” he remarked.

However, this turned out to be a miscalculation, and he candidly told radio hosts Kyle and Jackie O that he “missed the mark completely.” The specifics of when and where this awkward encounter transpired remain unknown. Later, he recounted this amusing tale on The Graham Norton Show alongside fellow guests David Walliams and Salma Hayek.

Liam Payne passed away in Argentina at just 31

On Wednesday, October 16, Liam Payne tragically fell from the balcony of his hotel room on the third floor of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At the time, he was only 31 years old. Emergency responders discovered his unresponsive body in the hotel’s courtyard.

According to police reports, authorities received a 911 call from hotel personnel requesting assistance for a guest displaying “aggressive” behavior, allegedly under the influence of substances. The hotel manager reported hearing a loud crash from the back, and upon arrival, first responders found Payne deceased.

In June 2021, during a conversation on The Diary of a CEO podcast, Payne opened up about his struggles with alcohol and prescription drug addiction, alongside mental health challenges influenced by his sudden rise to fame, international success, and continuous touring. Reflecting on his “drugs-and-drinks phase,” he described a time when he felt “bloated” while on a boat, with photos of that moment still circulating online.

“The most effective way to keep us secure was to confine us to our rooms, and what is available in those rooms? A mini-bar. So, I basically hosted a solo party that spanned years,”he explained, recalling his solitary hotel experiences during tours.

He even admitted to experiencing “severe” suicidal thoughts at that challenging time. However, by May 2023, he shared with iFL TV that he had achieved 100 days of sobriety and felt “amazing” and “incredibly happy.” At that time, he expressed gratitude to his supporters, which included his AA sponsor and comedian Russell Brand, who stood by him during his recovery journey.

For those unfamiliar, Liam Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan, who was on a Latin American tour at the time.

In other news, Sean “Diddy”Combs is currently at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center awaiting trial, facing several federal felony charges, including racketeering, sex trafficking by force, fraud, and transportation for prostitution. He has maintained a not guilty plea and has been denied bail on three occasions. If found guilty, Diddy could face a prison sentence ranging from 15 years to life.

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