Over 41,000 people have signed a petition for a new law to be put in place following the tragic death of Liam Payne.
The former One Direction member tragically died on Wednesday October 16.
Initially, reports were made from Buenos Aires indicating that the singer had fallen from a hotel balcony around 5pm, as reported by TMZ.
As reports about the tragic events that unfolded continue to emerge, many have been left heartbroken.
And now, fans are sharing their beliefs that more should be done to help young stars in the spotlight.
Last week, Payne fell approximately 40 meters from a hotel balcony, suffering injuries that were ‘incompatible with life.’
Police were reportedly called to the hotel earlier that day after receiving reports of an ‘aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.’
Payne had been staying at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Argentina, where he had been visiting to attend former bandmate Niall Horan’s concert, with his girlfriend, Texas model Kate Cassidy.
Cassidy left Argentina two days prior to Payne’s death, on October 14.
Since the star’s passing, more heartbreaking news has been revealed and his preliminary autopsy has shared his cause of death.
The reports indicate that Payne died due to multiple traumas and significant internal and external bleeding.
Payne’s family released a statement through his spokeswoman: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts, and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny, and brave soul.” They also asked for privacy during this difficult time.
Cheryl Cole, mother to Payne’s son, Bear, also made a statement in which she stated that she wants people to remember that he was not just a popstar, but a human being. He wrote that, one day, when their now 7-year-old little boy is old enough, he may have ‘access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation.’
This comes amid the wave of outcry that spread after news outlet TMZ shared images of Payne’s lifeless body in their initial reporting of his death.
The final toxicology results are not expected to be made public for some weeks, however, an Argentine official said that the initial toxicology report showed that Payne had cocaine in his system after his death.
However, the official stressed that these initial results don’t offer an accurate reading of just how much was circulating in his blood when he died, as reported by The Associated Press.
Payne rose to global fame after his appearance on The X Factor, when he was just 14 years old.
On the show, he became part of the boy band One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan.
The group was popular with viewers and grew a cult following overnight.
Payne had previously spoken openly about the struggles he faced during his time in the group with Stephen Bartlett on the Diary of a CEO podcast in 2021.
The popstar recalled: “When we were in the band, the best way to secure us because of how big it got was just lock us in our rooms. And of course, what’s in the room? Mini bar. So at a certain point, I thought, ‘Well, I’m going to have a party for one and that just seemed to carry on for many years in my life.”
The singer also shared that the level of fame he had reached left him crippled with anxiety. He became nervous to venture outside, as per Esquire Middle East.
Since Payne’s death, there has been an outcry for more support for younger people in the entertainment industry when teenagers are exposed to such heightened levels of fame.
A new petition has been set up calling for legislation to ‘safeguard artists’ mental health in the entertainment industry.’
The petition was set up on October 18 and it currently has over 41,000 signatures.
Its description reads: “The entertainment industry, acclaimed for its glamour and stardom, is equally infamous for the enormous pressure it exerts on the mental health of artists. Resultant issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and even suicide are alarmingly high.”
“In recent news of Liam Payne’s tragic death as many others, the entertainment industry needs to be held accountable and be responsible to the welfare of their artists,” the petition continues.
The change people are hoping to bring into legislation is called ‘Liam’s Law.’
Fans have praised the petition, writing: “This is so important.”
Another states: “We have lost too many young people to this and something needs to be placed to protect children and young adults.”
If you would like to sign the Change.org petition click here.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues mentioned, help is available. In the U.S., contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741. In the U.K., reach out to Samaritans for free at 116 123 or visit their website for support.
