RIP Liam Payne

It’s so very sad about Liam, so many artists choose the wrong path of fame, which is drugs, alcohol, that is if it is after toxicology reports show. I feel so sorry for his parents, you don’t expect your child to die before parents. Feel sad for little bear, his son, will be growing up without his dad. And for Cheryl, bears mum knowing how to bring her son up without his real dad not being around anymore, so sad.

I agree that huge fame in the pop music world is likely to cause difficulties as the mid teenager negotiates the developmental stages their peers are going through but safely living an ‘ordinary’ life, usually still living in a family.

The prevalence of drugs and alcohol in pop circles shouldn’t be under-estimated. It’s normalised and I’d say expected. It’s difficult enough for parents to support their children through this. OneD boys were so young and no doubt desperate to fit in their new exciting world.

From my brief read of the news, Liam had several previous attempts at rehab. This meant he was to stay longer so tests to prove sobriety could take place. There seems no doubt he was intoxicated and acting out, rowing with women he’d called to his room, smashing things up. Maybe events could have been different if the emergency services had been called as might have happened if he wasn’t famous.

It’s so very sad. I share the views of others who place drugs/alcohol at the centre of his tragic death

I agree, it's so hard for youngsters. And how we deal with this in a responsible manner is even harder.
Some cope, some don't, and maybe, in the music industry particularly, there should be a way of finding out who might be vulnerable before putting them forward for this lifestyle. I don't know how much support and mentoring successful teenagers actually get during and after these reality TV shows? When do the cracks start to appear? How do some keep their heads above water, whereas others crumble?

One of the band's members moved into a house mansion next to my friend in London. He was so down to earth, just 20, asking her to put his bins out and take in parcels when he wasn't there. She used to bake him cakes too because he loved them! The irony was, that she hadn't a clue who he was for a while until her son told her when she mentioned his name one day!
I think he is still very happy today having ridden out several storms and personal tragedies. I guess its how you're made and the luck of the draw.

MissInterpreted

Exactly, Kate1949. I think it's almost impossible for most of us on here to realise just what kind of pressure young people are under these days to look 'perfect' all the time - and it's all down to social media. You've now got primary school aged children copying make-up tutorials from social media, never mind teens. They're bombarded with all these images of 'perfection' - much of it photoshopped or AI generated - and they feel they have to live up to that or they won't be popular or successful.

I still think if parents and adults around them regularly adminstered large doses of common sense.young people. especially girls, would be more balanced.

The real problem is that so many parents, even in these sexually equal (theoretically) times play up to little girls to be pretty, to play up to men, starting with fathers and family and generally see their way in life as being pretty and attracting male attention. Look at the kinds of clothes designed for girl babies and toddlers.

We do have it in our hands to say 'yes but' and more people should do it.

Exactly, Kate1949. I think it's almost impossible for most of us on here to realise just what kind of pressure young people are under these days to look 'perfect' all the time - and it's all down to social media. You've now got primary school aged children copying make-up tutorials from social media, never mind teens. They're bombarded with all these images of 'perfection' - much of it photoshopped or AI generated - and they feel they have to live up to that or they won't be popular or successful.

If only it were that simple Monica.

No one can walk down a street without noticing that with few exceptions everyone they see, from one week to 100 years oldlooks pretty ordinary.

How many stunning people do you see in a supermarket, or pouring into a achool, or factory or office?

We are all surrounded 24 hours a day by ordinary people with all their imperfections. For anyone, regardless of age, to think they have to reach some mythical level of beauty or looks is ridiculous and it is up to us as adults to bring our children and grandchildren to know that from infancy.

I do think it is so sad that a young life was lost, but I have been absolutely disgusted by things I’m seeing in papers and on social media.
My granddaughters are distraught, and have been sending me TikTok posts containing some very intrusive stuff from newspapers, but also from people hoping for ‘views’. There are also many posts containing outlandish conspiracy theories, all apparently to boost ‘engagement’. The girls have explained to me that TikTok pays people for a certain number of views, and if you can flog stuff from their online shop it can be quite lucrative. So many people jumping on the bandwagon with no regard for the young man’s family.

Yes it's tragic to all concerned. What a bloody shame for his wee boy.

No one cares who is exploited for other peoples entertainment

I agree there has always been pressure on young people to be perfect but it’s high speed immediately accessed pressure and everyone can have an opinion on whatever they feel about someone they don’t know . Honestly it’s awful
I think young people aren’t evolving I think they are being bullied in their own homes via their technology

So very sad he was so young and talented but lost his way as many others who have found fame at a very young age . RIP Liam

People in our day (I'm 75) looked more natural in the main. My idol back in the '60s was George Harrison. I loved his crooked teeth and his quirky smile. Of course I wanted to look like some. I wanted to be Cathy McGowan with her lovely hair and her mixing with pop stars. However, I didn't feel pressure like many do now. I know from our own granddaughter how it can make youngsters feel and she is very beautiful.

JaneJudge

I notice people have quoted my post. I didn't just mean x factor. I was thinking of programs like love island etc too where there have been suicides and I was thought of Will young who also had MH struggles. There is so much pressure on this generation to be everything, good looking, famous, ripped, talented, perfect, clever. I mean when does it ever stop for them?

There is so much pressure on this generation to be everything, good looking, famous, ripped, talented, perfect, clever. I mean when does it ever stop for them?

I'm trying to remember what it feels like to be young, it's difficult to go back into that mindset. But I do remember looking at the only media available at that time - print, TV, and films.

I desperately wanted to look like Brigitte Bardot whilst still at school. Common sense, if I'd had any then, would've told me it was impossible because for a start, I didn't have her features. There was no peer pressure, I just wanted to be looked at and admired.

Young people have always been exploited for their looks by the music and entertainment industry - but, look at the pressure on them now to conform to a set standard of beauty and fitness. Young girls and women taking endless selfies of themselves (why so often in the bathroom?) with pouty mouths, posting on SM sites... young men showing their ripped abs, trying to look indifferent and hard both at the same time.

I wonder if I, had the same technology been available at that time, would have been doing the same?

It really is another world now isn't it? Thing is, we know both worlds, the young only know this one.

Yes I think the fame surrounding this young man would play its part in his issues that’s the pubic part of this tragedy that we are aware of other issues would be in his mind too and I hope these remain private. To have this played out in public must be so very damaging for his family.

Others not in the public eye of course have their own issues and torments. To lose a much loved family member is always sore but to lose a child in this way changes the whole of your family relationships and the rest of the parents and a family way of life.

Many people have drug and alcohol problems, but it does seem to be particularly prevalent in the pop music industry. It is sad to see these young people with high hopes getting sucked in.

Does it ? Only those in the public eye have battles with alcohol and drugs ?

Liam Payne’s own words according to a witness at the hotel were “I used to be in a boy band. That’s why I’m so f….ed up”.

Says it all really.
,

I notice people have quoted my post. I didn't just mean x factor. I was thinking of programs like love island etc too where there have been suicides and I was thought of Will young who also had MH struggles. There is so much pressure on this generation to be everything, good looking, famous, ripped, talented, perfect, clever. I mean when does it ever stop for them?

No he tried out 2 years before the one direction attempt, when he was 14.

BlueBelle

Talent shows have been going on as long back as I remember and many have produced tragic lives you can look at Shirley TempleJudy Garland Lena Zavereli Bonny Langford To name a few I don’t think Simon Cowel although I don’t much like the chap can be blamed

He was 16 when he got through X factor galaxy I believe they were all that age Olly Murs and Gareth Gates were both 17 I think I ve got that right some seem to settle and handle it better than others but parents still want to push young children forward I know two very young girls, modelling one is about 7 and the parents think it’s fantastic and they earn good money

Olly Murs was 25 when he was on the X Factor.

Yes Gareth Gates was 17 on Pop Idol, Will Young was 20 as was Darius Danesh.

Susan Boyle is alive and well as far as I know.

Watching the Simon Cowell talent show, there are so many very youngsters appearing with family back stage or in the audience

Bonny Langford


As far as I know Bonnie is still fine.

Talent shows have been going on as long back as I remember and many have produced tragic lives you can look at Shirley TempleJudy Garland Lena Zavereli Bonny Langford To name a few I don’t think Simon Cowel although I don’t much like the chap can be blamed

He was 16 when he got through X factor galaxy I believe they were all that age Olly Murs and Gareth Gates were both 17 I think I ve got that right some seem to settle and handle it better than others but parents still want to push young children forward I know two very young girls, modelling one is about 7 and the parents think it’s fantastic and they earn good money