Cowell created and judged “The X Factor,” the show on which he and fellow judges put together Payne’s band, One Direction, in 2010.
Topline
Simon Cowell, the former “The X Factor” judge who assembled boyband One Direction in 2010, issued a statement mourning Liam Payne two days after the star died at age 31, as former contestants of Cowell’s talent shows claim the programs exploit young stars.Key Facts
Cowell, a record label executive who created and judges on both “The X Factor UK” (which was canceled in 2018) and “Britain’s Got Talent,” said on Instagram Friday afternoon he feels “empty” and “devastated” after Payne’s death, whom he praised as “kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, focused.”
Cowell praised Payne’s determination to audition again after his first “X Factor” audition was unsuccessful, and recalled how Payne visited him last year where the two “reminisced about all of the fun times we had together.”
On Thursday, Cowell postponed auditions for the talent show that were supposed to be taped Thursday, with ticketing company ApplauseStore citing the “tragic passing of Liam Payne.”
Cowell signed Payne to his record label Syco Entertainment as part of One Direction after the band became popular following their third-place finish in on “The X Factor” in 2010.
“The X Factor” said in a statement on social media it is “heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne,” stating he will “leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans.”
Forbes has reached out to Cowell’s representatives for comment. What “x Factor” Stars Spoke Out After Payne’s Death?
Soon after Payne’s death, his friend and fellow “X Factor” contestant Katie Waissel slammed Cowell in a post on X, stating: “If Simon Cowell dare put a statement out on the heart wrenching, tragic loss of my dear and darling friend Liam, he would be a fool. We all know the truth… and I’ll be sure it all comes out.” The post garnered attention on social media, with nearly 4 million views and more than 61,000 likes.
