Happy People Don’t Make Art

The recent death of former One Direction member Liam Payne prompted an outburst of shock and emotion around the world. The hugely popular singer died at the age of 31 after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Hotel officials had called 911 to report a guest, “drunk with drugs and alcohol.” 

Upon entering Payne’s hotel room, they discovered broken objects and a variety of illicit drugs and drug paraphernalia. ABC News reported that an initial toxicology report found Payne had multiple drugs in his body, including crack, benzodiazepine, and “pink cocaine”. This recreational drug generally combines MDMA, ketamine, and methamphetamine. 

Throughout his brief life, Liam Payne faced significant struggles with mental health and addiction  – particularly during his One Direction days. Absolutely understandable if you’re catapulted to worldwide fame at 14-years old. He openly discussed these issues, bravely revealing that he faced severe mental health challenges – including suicidal thoughts – while grappling with substance abuse. In interviews, he said that he often hid these struggles, which compounded his feelings of isolation​. 

In 2021, Payne shared on the Diary of a CEO podcast that he had been dealing with the pressures of fame by drinking and drugging, often wiping out hotel minibars while on tour. At that point he promised that he’d seek help.

“I’m annoyed with myself cause I keep on hurting people.” – Liam Payne

Despite seeking help, his relationships were negatively affected by his struggles. In the wake of Payne’s death, Liam’s family and friends are paying tribute including bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn. 

But some mourners and Directioners have taken things further and are petitioning for better mental health safeguarding measures in the music industry. They’ve launched a petition asking for legal solutions to personal problems of the kind that haunted Payne.

According to NBC News, “the Change.org petition proposes new legislation – which they call ‘Liam’s Law’ – that would require artists to have access to mental health professionals, be given regular mental health checks, and have adequate rest periods.” 

Known for its glitz and glamour, the entertainment industry puts a ton of pressure on artists, which can mess with their mental health. Stress, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse are alarmingly common. Some performers are 2 – 3 times more likely to face these problems compared to the average citizen. 

“Enact Legislation to Safeguard Artists’ Mental Health in the Entertainment Industry”

The fans’ petition had garnered 102K signatures – a testament to the affection listeners feel for Payne and his music and the grief they feel at his too-sudden demise.

“In recent news of Liam Payne’s tragic death, as many others, the entertainment industry needs to be held accountable and be responsible for the welfare of their artists. We seek to implore lawmakers to create legislation safeguarding the mental health of artists within the industry.

Such a law would necessitate regular mental health check-ups, adequate rest periods, and the presence of mental health professionals on-set, including any ongoing support during their career. It will ensure a healthier, safer, and more conducive working environment for artists to cultivate their talents reducing psychological distress. This would also include early interventions to protect and minimise before it’s too late. Furthermore, the increasing rate of musicians who die before the age of 35, is concerning. We need to act now!”

This legislation Payne’s fans are advocating strikes others as problematic…if well-meaning. What exactly would those laws be? How would they be enforced? Superstars can certainly afford the kind of mental and physical healthcare fans are demanding. But if an artist doesn’t or can’t avail themselves of it, who’s to blame?

Make no mistake:  Sympathy for Payne and dismay at his fate are natural, especially for those who were touched by his work as a performer. The chaos of celebrity and the rigors of touring and the loneliness of the road can heighten emotional problems while providing access to legal and illegal means of coping with those problems. 

No one wants to see more deaths by misadventure. The phrase “You can’t legislate morality” springs to mind. Perhaps demands for a better mental health care system for all would be a more effective way of combating the damage done by drugs and booze to the famous and the unknown, the prominent and the obscure, the rich and the poor, the singers and the listeners in the dark.

“I struggle to be alone sometimes.” – Liam Payne