Exactly a week ago, I received one of the most shocking notifications on my phone ever – “Former One Direction star, Liam Payne dies at 31“. I was shocked! I thought it was a prank but who would joke with something like that – like death?
I have been deeply saddened by this news – this would be the 3rd or 4th death of a famous person that has had much impact on me. The first one would have to be that of the late Ghanaian actress, Suzzy Williams who passed on at a young age of 23. I was 12 when she died and I still have memories of how much the news traumatized me – maybe because a newspaper thought it wise to put the picture of her corpse lying in state on their front page (proper journalism in the gutter!)
Now, Liam’s death has been shrouded in a lot of controversy – from having issues with his ex-girlfriend/fiancée to battling with depression and suffering from addiction and so on. The media obviously doesn’t care! Apart from his celebrity status, this is someone’s child, sibling and father as well. All the speculations, rumours and what not is needless at this point – let the family and those who loved him grieve in peace. One of his sisters even mentioned how she heard the news online. How pathetic!
I was not really a fan of One Direction and never paid attention to them even though I live in the UK (they were hot and popular in 2012 when I first moved here). But I started following them around late 2015 when they performed on the X Factor final (which was their last performance together) where they announced they were going on a hiatus. So I only started paying attention to them then. Interesting right?
I did not have a favourite – I liked all of them and found myself watching all their music videos, interviews, performances and LOVED them! My favourite album of theirs is FOUR – which was the last album they did with ex band mate, Zayn Malik who left the band in early 2015.
Now, Liam’s death is as a result of him jumping from the 3rd floor of the hotel he was lodging at in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Allegedly, at the time of his death, he was acting erratically in the hotel lobby and the jump was allegedly done in an unconscious state and this was as a result of some drugs he had taken (according to the toxicology report, some drugs were found in his system).
In some of his previous interviews that have surfaced online, he talks about his addiction with alcohol (in the beginning of his One Direction days) as the hotel room he lodged at had a mini bar (SMH). He also allegedly has been in and out of rehab both in the UK and California, US in the past couple of years due to his drug addiction – quite unfortunate.
I can imagine the depression and lonely moments he may have felt from his days in One Direction to being a solo artiste and the struggle to make it (having your song or album at No.1 on the charts etc) – the pressure I believe was insane! And obviously the so-called fans don’t make it easier with the unnecessary comparisons on which of the bandmates is doing better or more successful and all that. Like who are you to define what success is to someone? And why do you feel the need to compare solo artistes doing their own thing? What do you hope to gain from that and all the mean comments that your post will generate? Do you know that apart from being a celebrity, they are also human beings with emotions like yourself and your comment can send them into depression?
I absolutely hate what fame subjects people to, especially someone like Liam who found fame at the tender age of 16 on X Factor. I even read how he was recently bullied on socials because of claims made by his ex fiancee among others and his record label dropping him not too long ago. This must have weighed a lot on him, sunk him into depression and look at the consequences.
I have not been famous before and don’t have any intentions of being (I love my private life) because I hate how it robs one of their freedom and sometimes their real personality and the terrible choices they make eventually. Liam’s death, whichever way you look at it, could have been avoided. The world was unkind to him and he fought his demons (being in and out of rehab means he was seeking help and wanted to become a better person not only for himself but his son, Bear) but unfortunately he lost the battle. Sigh!
I will say it again and again that this world is a CRUEL place and famous or not, you need to guard your mental health with all your might. Anything that threatens it, you should let that go immediately. And I wish celebrities can also take breaks especially on social media, be more aware of their mental health and seek help when needed, and be surrounded by family and friends who ACTUALLY love them. The ‘love’ these fans claim they have for you are fleeting – tomorrow, someone else will be hot and they will transfer that ‘love’ to them and won’t give a hoot about you. They will join forces to drag you, taint your name with the news the media feeds them – which is mostly false or exaggerated.
Fame is a drug and when it gets to one’s head it could be extremely dangerous. For those who have friends or siblings who are famous, I hope you constantly check up on them and reassure them that you are always there for them regardless. And I hope you are not or do not become a keypad warrior or a troll on social media – it is a demonic spirit – get rid of it!
And to THE MEDIA – one of the biggest enemies we have in the world! How could you not let his family know of his death before breaking the news online? How could you post pictures of his dead body online? Just for clicks and money? Yall have lost your sense of humanity and may God forgive you all!
I can only imagine the pain Liam’s family, especially his parents are going through and I pray God comforts them.
Dear Liam, I hope you are resting in peace now. Thank you for fighting to still be here. Thank you for sharing your talent with us and thank you for the memories you gave millions of fans all over the world in their teenage years. Rest in perfect peace. Till we meet again 🙂
Thank you for reading today’s post. See you soon with another!
Gertrude says...... 