Liam Payne was reportedly in contact with Nicole Scherzinger on the day of his untimely death. During a recent Billboard interview, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, who is collaborating with Scherzinger on the Broadway production of “Sunset Blvd.,” shared insights into her connection with the former One Direction star. Webber revealed, “She mentored Liam from One Direction. On the Wednesday he passed, she was still texting him.”
According to Webber, Scherzinger, who is 46, received the heartbreaking news of Payne’s death shortly before she was set to perform her role in the musical. He praised her resilience, stating, “The fact that she even did the show at all is extraordinary. I mean, she is an amazing, amazing woman.”
Webber emphasized Scherzinger’s dedication and talent, saying she is one of the finest performers he has ever worked with. Their relationship dates back to 2010 when Scherzinger was a judge on “The X Factor UK” and played a pivotal role in connecting Payne with his future bandmates: Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan.
Scherzinger’s influence helped shape One Direction, which went on to achieve massive success from 2010 until their hiatus in 2015. Behind-the-scenes footage from 2022 revealed Scherzinger advocating for the formation of a boy band from the talented teens instead of eliminating them from the competition.
Tragically, Payne passed away on October 16 at the age of 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A preliminary autopsy report indicated that cocaine, crack, and the antidepressant benzodiazepine were present in his system at the time of death.
The late singer had recently filmed a Netflix series titled “Building the Band,” where he served as a judge and mentor, completing production just weeks before his passing. This heartbreaking incident has left his friends and fans mourning the loss of a promising talent gone too soon. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, it’s crucial to seek help by contacting the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
