Sharon Osbourne has claimed the music industry let Liam Payne down as she paid tribute after he fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Argentina on Wednesday aged 31.
Sharon’s words came after X Factor boss Simon Cowell found himself in the firing line from former stars of the show, Katie Waissel and Rebecca Ferguson who criticised the ‘exploitation and profiteering of young stars’.
Sharon has also publicly criticised the show, despite appearing on it on and off from 2004 to 2017, comparing it to the ‘Wild West’. She did not appear on the programme the same year as One Direction.
Sharing a photo of Liam, she wrote: ‘Liam, my heart aches. We all let you down. Where was this industry when you needed them?
‘You were just a kid when you entered one of the toughest industries in the world. Who was in your corner? Rest in peace my friend.’
Sharon Osbourne took to Instagram on Thursday to claim the music industry failed to support Liam Payne after his former X Factor mentor Simon Cowell found himself in firing line for ‘exploiting young stars’ (pictured May 2006)
Sharon’s tribute comes after Simon found himself in the firing line from former X Factor stars Katie Waissel and Rebecca Ferguson (Liam pictured auditioning on X Factor in 2010)
Best friends Sharon and former X Factor judge Louis Walsh were very vocal about their negative views on the show earlier this year, admitting there is no space in the modern day for the show.
Louis also broke his silence following the star’s death as he told the Irish Mirror: ‘No, (I’m) saying nothing. It’s awful’.
Sharon appeared on the X Factor judging panel from 2004 to 2007, before returning in 2013, 2016 and 2017 and also appeared on America’s Got Talent between 2007 and 2012.
Yet she confirmed she would never return to the show due to the damage it can cause stars.
During an interview on Greatest Hits Radio she explained: ‘As far as talent shows go, and I’ve been away from it for a while, it was kind of like the Wild West.
‘You didn’t really know the importance and what it does to people’s lives and as far as I’m concerned, the whole thing needs to be changed.
‘As well as giving people, a lot of people, opportunities with their careers it can also damage a lot of people too. You have to be very, very careful.
‘You’re handling people’s lives, you’ve got their future in your hands and it’s not anything to laugh at.’
After the news of Liam’s death on Wednesday, Simon was faced with backlash as Katie Waissel, who auditioned alongside Liam on the 2010 series of X Factor, name-checked the music mogul in two statements in which she accused music bosses of focusing on ‘profits rather than people’.
Taking to Twitter to reveal her heartbreak she wrote: ‘My heart is completely torn to shreds right now, I am at an absolute loss for words.
‘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.’
In her post she said her ‘heart aches’ for the star following his tragic death
She added that Liam was ‘just a kid’ when he rose to fame in the ‘tough’ industry
Simon, 65, signed One Direction to his music label, Syco after their stint on the show in 2010 (Pictured left to right: Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan)
Best friends Sharon and Louis Walsh have been very vocal about her negative views on X Factor after the former compared it to the ‘Wild West’ (pictured on show in 2004)
She later released a long statement as she turned her focus to her views on the state of the music industry.
Writing that Liam’s death ‘serves as a painful reminder of the systemic neglect that persists in the industry’ she insisted: ‘the focus remained on profits rather than the people.’
She explained: ‘This industry has treated talent like commodities, and the negligence of duty of care has once again led to a heart-wrenching loss. We need only look at Simon Cowell’s recent interview with Steven Bartlett, where he admits his greatest regret was not owning the band’s name.
‘The real regret should be the failure to prioritize the emotional and physical welfare of the artists who put their trust in these institutions. Contracts, whether they are for television shows or record deals, come with a legal and moral duty of care that must be upheld.’
Meanwhile Rebecca Ferguson, who also appeared on X Factor in 2010 alongside Liam, has previously shared her views that the music industry is hiding ‘awful human rights abuses’ and claimed that she has endured ‘systematic misogyny and bullying’ throughout her career.
Reflecting how she first met Liam at Euston station as they shared a taxi to the X Factor the singer-songwriter penned: ‘If he hadn’t jumped on that train and jumped in that taxi I believe he would be alive today.
‘I’ve spoken for years about the exploitation and profiteering of young stars and the effects – many of us are still living with the aftermath and the PTSD [post traumatic stress disorder].’
Best friends Sharon and Louis Walsh failed to hold back with their opinion of Simon during their time together on Celebrity Big Brother back in March.
Louis also broke his silence following the star’s death as he told the Irish Mirror : ‘No, (I’m) saying nothing. It’s awful’ (pictured on show in 2006)
Katie Waissel, who auditioned alongside Liam on the 2010 series of X Factor, name-checked the Simon in two statements, accusing music bosses of focusing on ‘profits rather than people’ (pictured 2010)
Taking to Twitter to reveal her heartbreak she wrote: ‘My heart is completely torn to shreds right now, I am at an absolute loss for words’
She later released a long statement as she turned her focus to her views on the state of the music industry
Rebecca Ferguson, who also appeared on X Factor in 2010 alongside Liam, has previously shared her views that the music industry is hiding ‘awful human rights abuses’
Reflecting how she first met Liam at Euston station as they shared a taxi to the X Factor the singer-songwriter believes if he hadn’t got in that taxi he would be alive today
Sharon told her fellow former X Factor colleague: ‘That’s Simon, he cuts you off, cuts you off, cuts you off. He doesn’t know how to keep friends.’
Louis also admitted he hasn’t spoken to Simon since the X Factor days as he added: ‘I haven’t talked to him at all, nothing. Zero’.
Simon paused Britain’s Got Talent auditions after the news of Liam’s death and is said to be ‘utterly shocked and devastated’ by the tragedy.
Recording is set to pick back up on Saturday with Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, KSI and Bruno on the panel while the mourning mogul grieves the popstar’s death.
‘This news has hit Simon incredibly hard – he is utterly shocked and devastated,’ a source told The Sun.
A spokesperson for Freemantle UK, the programme’s producer announced they were halting auditions for the Britain’s Got Talent yesterday.
Their statement read: ‘Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, we have decided to postpone the Britain’s Got Talent auditions. Our thoughts are with Liam’s friends, family and all who loved him.’
It comes as The Mail revealed that Liam had been dropped by his record label Universal Music just days before his death.
Originally signed to Sony as part of One Direction, Liam penned a deal with Capitol Records, a label owned by Universal, in July 2016 when he launched his solo career at just 22 years old.
Liam was said to have been ‘thrilled’ when he signed to Capitol in what was understood to have been a very lucrative deal.
The label is a subsidiary of Universal, but in the company’s recent reshuffle he came under the main label.
On Thursday, Universal Music Group posted an image of Liam Payne on Instagram saying they were ‘devastated’ about his death.
Simon paused Britain’s Got Talent auditions after the news of Liam’s death and is said to be ‘utterly shocked and devastated’ by the tragedy (pictured on Wednesday prior to Liam’s death)
Best friends Sharon and Louis Walsh failed to hold back with their opinion of Simon during their time together on Celebrity Big Brother back in March (pictured)
‘This news has hit Simon incredibly hard – he is utterly shocked and devastated,’ a source told The Sun (pictured 2013)
The Universal Music Group tribute read: ‘We are devastated by the tragic passing of Liam Payne.
‘His legacy will live on through his music and the countless fans he inspired and who adored him. We send our deepest condolences to Liam’s family and loved ones.’
Capitol Records reposted the statement as well.
Multiple sources have confirmed to MailOnline that the singer was axed by the record label.
A source said: ‘Liam’s advance was massive and he didn’t recoup [it].
‘Out of all of the One Direction boys, Liam was on the wrong path musically.’
It is understood that the release of his second album was put on hold prior to Universal dropping him.
Meanwhile, it can also be revealed that Liam’s PR resigned earlier this month, which left him without any publicity representation.
The resignation came as Liam’s ex-fiancé Maya Henry began legal proceedings against the singer after accusing him of repeatedly contacting her.
One source said: ‘It is like all of Liam’s music career that he had built up since he went solo eight years ago was crumbling, there was very little left for him.
‘It must have absolutely devastated him.’
It comes as The Mail revealed that Liam had been dropped by his record label Universal Music just days before his death. The company went onto pay tribute to the star
The latest development comes as:
Liam’s One Direction bandmates broke their silence following his tragic death on Thursday by releasing an emotional statement.
In a joint statement signed from ‘Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry’, they said they were ‘completely devastated’.
‘In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,’ they said.
‘But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.
‘The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.
‘We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.’
Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik all later released separate tributes.
Styles wrote on Instagram that he was ‘truly devastated’ and will ‘miss him always’.
‘His greatest joy was making other people happy and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.
‘Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious.
‘He was warm, supportive and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.
‘My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew him and loved him, as I did.’
Tomlinson said in a separate emotional tribute that he was ‘really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye’.
He posted a picture on his Instagram page of the two of them on stage with Payne lovingly putting his arm over Tomlinson’s shoulder.
Tomlinson said he would be an uncle to Payne’s son Bear if he ‘ever needs me’ and ‘tell him stories of how amazing his dad was’.
‘I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life,’ he wrote.
‘I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.
‘I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.
‘Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X.’
Malik said he had been talking out loud to Payne ‘hoping you can hear me’.
In his own heart wrenching tribute, he said he had ‘lost a brother when you left us’.
‘And I can’t explain you you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly,’ he wrote.
‘I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever. There is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherevere you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you bro.’
Liam’s solo career came off the back of global stardom that began with ITV talent show, The X Factor.
He first auditioned for the show in 2008 at the age of 14 singing Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me To The Moon, with judge Simon Cowell telling him to return to the ITV talent show two years later.
Liam impressed the judges in 2010 singing Michael Buble‘s rendition of Cry Me A River before he was put with four other solo hopefuls at the boot camp stage of the competition – the group which later became One Direction.
In 2012, the boy band won their first Brit Award for best British single for their debut track What Makes You Beautiful, before picking up the Brit global success award a year later.
They also won Brit Awards in 2014 and 2015 for best British video for Best Song Ever and You & I respectively.
Payne had been staying in Argentina over the last weeks and was pictured engaging with fans
After Malik left the band, the quartet won best artist video for Drag Me Down in 2016. They picked up the same award a year later for History.
Launching his solo career after One Direction split up in January 2016, Payne released his first single Strip That Down featuring Quavo just over a year later in June 2017.
The single charted at number three while his second single was Get Low, which peaked at 26.
His third single, Bedroom Floor, went to number 21.
He then teamed up with singer Rita Ora for a hit, For You, which was the soundtrack to Fifty Shades Freed in 2018 and that was more successful – making it to number eight in the charts.
Then came Familiar with Colombian superstar J Balvin, which went to number 14.
He also released an album, LP1, which went to number 17 in December 2019.
Liam was managed by music industry veteran Steve Finan, the husband of Olympic heptathlete Denise Lewis.
In August last year, Payne postponed his scheduled tour of South America after suffering from a ‘serious kidney infection’.
Liam plunged 45ft from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in Argentina’s capital on Wednesday, before medics confirmed his death.
The star fell from a third floor of a hotel in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires on Wednesday evening, before medics confirmed his death
Payne had arrived in South America with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy on September 30, staying in Argentina for two weeks after only planning to spend ‘five days’ there.
Police were called to the hotel following reports of an ‘aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol’.
Shortly afterwards, workers heard a loud sound in the hotel’s courtyard before the Wolverhampton-born singer’s body was discovered just after 5pm local time.
Shocked fans gathered outside after police cordoned off the area with forensic investigators seen entering and exiting in white protective suits and blue gloves.
The star was said to have been ‘acting erratically in the hotel lobby and smashed his laptop’ before he ‘had to be carried back to his room’, according to local media.
Universal Music Group no longer lists Liam as one of their artists.
Capitol Records still looks after Niall, 31, as well as Katy Perry and Lewis Capaldi.
Universal has been contacted for comment.
