Liam Payne's cousin, Ross Harris, has revealed his enduring regret over missing a final phone call from the singer on the day of his death. Payne, the former One Direction member, died on October 16, 2024, at age 31, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. An autopsy later revealed alcohol and cocaine in his system.
Nearly two years after Payne's death, Harris spoke about the singer's final moments and his tumultuous relationship with fame, stating, "He had everything and nothing at the same time." Appearing on Good Morning Britain to promote his new song "Bones," proceeds of which will benefit charity, Harris recounted that Payne called him on the afternoon of his death. Harris was in a recording session and missed the call, intending to return it later. By the time he did, it was too late.
"It's going to be a regret that lives with me forever," Harris said. He described how difficult it was to process the circumstances initially, but now finds solace in the thought that Payne had simply wanted to talk. Harris elaborated on the challenges of navigating fame, noting that while it appears glamorous from the outside with many opportunities, it also brings significant isolation and loneliness. He suggested that Payne struggled to discern genuine support from those seeking advantage, saying, "It was more I thought, bless this guy, he has everything and nothing at the same time. Sort of lonely and isolated and doesn't know what people think of him deep down."
Payne's early rise to fame at 16 on The X Factor, as part of One Direction, meant he did not experience a typical adolescence. "Even though he was in his 30s, he was still basically a kid," Harris explained. "He didn't get to grow up like a normal person." He added that Payne felt a lack of personal love despite his global fame, distinguishing between the adoration of fans and the need for individual connection. "He needs someone to love Liam, if that makes sense. Not that the fans don't give him love, because he absolutely adored them and was so grateful for them. But on a personal level, when you don't have anyone around you, you worry who cares for you?"
Harris also confirmed that Payne retreated from public life for three months following backlash from an interview about the Will Smith and Chris Rock incident at the Oscars in March 2022. During the interview, Payne had commented on the slap, stating there were "three losers in one fight" and that Smith "had the right to do what he did." The remark, coupled with his accent, drew widespread criticism and confusion.
"Yeah, he didn't [leave the house]. I think it was the Oscars, and it wasn't his best interview, but the amount of stick he got online and social media," Harris said. He recalled Payne warning contestants on a Netflix reality series about the pitfalls of fame, advising them to "stay rooted, good people around you." Harris's current project, the charity single "Bones," is intended to honor his bond with Liam and will direct all profits to causes important to the late singer through The Bones Fund.