Liam Payne opens up about his mental health struggles

He's spoken candidly about the One Direction years

Liam Payne

by Alex Ross |
Published on

Being in one of the biggest boy bands in the world and touring the world with your best mates may sound like an amazing life to have, but with insane amounts of travelling and none-stop schedules, things can get a little intense when you're a pop star.

And it seems that is exactly what happened to former One Direction singer Liam Payne, when the group were at the height of their success.

Opening up about his past struggles in a candid interview, Liam revealed he often had to put on a front whilst performing on stage. Speaking to a national newspaper, the 24-year-old said, "I shouldn’t have been able to do as many shows as we did, if I’m honest about it, if I’m brutally honest about it.

"Going out and putting that happy smile on my face and singing the songs, honestly, sometimes it was like putting on one of those costumes, going out there and, underneath the costume, people don't really see what's going on."

One Direction
©© Getty Images

Going back to October 2015, Liam also described the moment One Direction were forced to cancel one of their shows last minute due to Liam being unwell. At the time of the cancellation, reports suggested Liam suffered a panic attack backstage after he'd split up with his ex-girlfriend Sophia Smith.

Speaking about that night, Liam added, "I let it get to me that day. I wasn’t in a good place. And unfortunately I was going through a rough time and I let it get to me a little bit too much."

Liam Payne
©Liam Payne © Getty Images

During the interview, Liam also admitted how he regrets not being able to enjoy One Direction's worldwide success due to the boys being too busy at the time.

One Direction, made up of Liam, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson, decided to take a hiatus back in 2016 to focus on their solo careers.

Since then, things have improved even further for Liam. Not only is he dating former X Factor judge and the girl of his dreams, Cheryl Tweedy, Liam became a dad for the first time back in March when the couple welcomed baby Bear Grey Payne into the world.

Describing it as his 'favourite memory so far', Liam wrote, 'My close friends and family know there are very few times when I'm left speechless... wow! I'm incredibly happy to welcome our new baby boy into the world, it's a moment that I will never forget for the rest of my life and my favourite memory I have so far. I'm completely in awe of his incredible mother and how she has been the whole way through this, she's really made my dreams come true. We haven't named him yet but he's already capturing hearts including mine. I feel very blessed.' [sic]

Liam later released his first ever solo material in the form of singles 'Strip That Down', 'Get Low' and his latest single 'Bedroom Floor'.

With Liam promising fans both a tour and a debut solo album in 2018, we can't to see what the new year brings!

Check out Liam's best Instagram posts in the gallery below:

Gallery

Liam Payne best Instagram photos

Liam Payne1 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

This epic One Direction stage selfie

He wrote, 'Tonight in Milan was amazing'

Liam Payne2 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he and Cheryl wore matching mud masks

He wrote, 'I miss you!...the things you make me doud83eudd13ud83dude0b home soon!'

Liam Payne3 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he melted hearts all over the world with this dog picture

He wrote, 'Woof Woof ud83dudc36ud83dudc36'

Liam Payne4 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he posed for a selfie on stage with Niall Horan

He wrote, 'Last nights pic thanks Cardiff u were great'.

Liam Payne5 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he introduced baby Bear to the world

He wrote, 'My close friends and family know there are very few times when I'm left speechless... wow!I'm incredibly happy to welcome our new baby boy into the world, it's a moment that I will never forget for the rest of my life and my favourite memory I have so far. I'm completely in awe of his incredible mother and how she has been the whole way through this, she's really made my dreams come true. We haven't named him yet but he's already capturing hearts including mine. I feel very blessed.Happy Mother's Day everyone!'

Liam Payne6 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he showed off his new shades

He wrote, 'New shades. Who dis?'.

Liam Payne7 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

This adorable selfie with his girlfriend Cheryl

He wrote, 'u2b50ufe0fud83dude4cud83cudffcud83dude4fud83cudffc'.

Liam Payne8 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he looked dapper meeting the Queen

He wrote, 'An absolute honour to meet the Queen today on such a fantastic occasion. Privileged to share the room with such inspirational @queensyoungleaders, hear their stories and how they are helping to rebuild and preserve a sometimes broken worldud83dude4fud83cudffc'

Liam Payne9 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he gave fans an insight into what he's going to look like when he's older

He wrote, 'This is what will happen if I don't quit this damn job soon ud83dude02'

Liam Payne10 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he reenacted this amazing throwback

He wrote, 'Still got it ud83dude0e'.

Liam Payne11 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he showed off his amazing set of abs

He said, 'Workout done off to party!!! #britawards2016'

Liam Payne12 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he took Halloween to the next level

Liam Payne13 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he made use of Snapchat's popular fiters

He wrote, 'Woof'.

Liam Payne14 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he gushed about his girlfriend Cheryl

He wrote, 'Happy #internationalwomensday to my favourite woman in the world ud83dude18ud83dude18 hope I make you as happy as u make me X'

Liam Payne15 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When his dog

Liam Payne16 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he posed NAKED on a boat

He wrote, 'Damn that was my last pair!'

Liam Payne17 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he got creative on holiday

He wrote, 'Few fi fo fum... machu pichu for some Incan fun'

Liam Payne18 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he posed with the one and only Ashton Kutcher

He wrote, 'Backstage with @aplusk ready for @fallontonight ud83dudc4cud83cudffc'

Liam Payne19 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he teamed up with Rita Ora for the Fifty Shades Freed single

He wrote, '#FiftyShadesFreed'.

Liam Payne20 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he turned up to The BRIT Awards with Cheryl

He wrote, '#BRITs'.

Liam Payne21 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he showed his support for Katy Perry

He wrote, 'Good luck tonight @katyperry ud83dudca5'.

Liam Payne22 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he wished Bear a Happy Birthday

He wrote, 'Can't believe my little man is one today, where does the time go? Happy birthday son you're my worldud83cudf0dud83dudc3b'. [sic]

Liam Payne23 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he looked super cool in Dubai

He wrote, 'Hello Dubai ud83dude0e'.

Liam Payne24 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he posed with Charlie Puth

He wrote, 'Kicking it with my G @charlieputh'.

Liam Payne25 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

Then showed his love for Camila Cabello

He wrote, 'Look who I bumped into.. Havan na na na @camila_cabello'. [sic]

Liam Payne26 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he channelled his inner Peaky Blinder

Liam Payne27 of 27
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

When he showed off his smile

He wrote, 'Was it really that funny? ud83eudd37ud83cudffb‍♂ufe0fud83eudd13'.

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