Important appeal: Liam Payne’s mentor Robbie Williams calls for more consideration and compassion online.
Robbie Williams (50) mourns the loss of his former protégé Liam Payne (1993 – 2024). In view of his early death, the pop star calls for more consideration on the Internet and a different, more conscious approach to the media and the fates of famous personalities.
Former One Direction star Liam Payne died in Buenos Aires last week when he fell from the balcony of his third-floor hotel room. Since learning of Payne’s death, he has felt “shock, sadness and confusion,” writes Robbie Williams.
“It was logical to shake hands with him”
He got to know the boys through the talent show “The X Factor” and “looked after them,” says Williams. “I use the word mentor in parentheses because, to be honest, I hardly did anything,” he recalls. “I just hung out with them. They were all cheeky and nice. I enjoyed the light-hearted banter.” It reminded him of his own time with his boy band Take That. “Our paths have crossed again and again since that day.”
Liam Payne’s difficulties and problems reminded him very much of his own. “So it was only logical to reach out to him and offer him what I could. And that’s what I did.” In the past, Robbie Williams has always spoken openly about his own addiction issues.
Robbie Williams’ urgent call
He then makes a clear appeal to the public: “I think in these moments it’s worth repeating: We don’t know what’s going on in people’s lives. What pain they’re going through and what makes them behave this way “How they behave, we should be a little lenient before we judge.”
Before you write something on the Internet, you should think about whether it is really worth publishing. “You publish your thoughts for everyone to read. Even if you don’t believe celebrities and their families exist. They do. Skin and bones and incredibly sensitive.”
Williams then shares his own experiences at Payne’s age: “At 31, I still had my demons. I relapsed. I was in pain. I was in pain because I was relapsing.” After the death of Heath Ledger (1979 – 2008), he thought that it would be his turn next. “By the grace of God and/or dumb luck, I’m still here.”
“We can be more empathetic”
The Internet, the media and fame will not change, says the 50-year-old: “As individuals, however, we have the power to change. We can be kinder. We can be more empathetic,” he writes. “Even famous strangers need your compassion.”
Robbie Williams then explained why he had turned so urgently to the public: “Nothing seems to change, and if it’s not me, then who? I’m the problem if I don’t do something. We’re the problem if we don’t do.” He is depressed and sad. “We are currently processing a global shock.”
He also shared that his appeal surprised him with the opposite: “On a human level, the reaction to my post about Liam was worth the experience. People want a place where they can go online, to be kind, to to mourn, to express condolences.” He experienced “viral grief” and “viral kindness.” “This is what we really want. This is the best in us.”
Cheryl Cole also calls for more consideration
Liam Payne’s ex-partner Cheryl Cole (41), the mother of his son Bear (7), shared a similar call for more consideration on the internet and in the media. “What disturbs my spirit most is that Bear will one day have access to the despicable reports and media exploitation that we have seen in the last two days. It breaks my heart even more that I have to protect him from this cannot protect in his future.”
Addressing Internet users, she writes: “Before you leave a comment or make a video, ask yourself whether you would want your own child or family to read this.”
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
