Liam Payne opens up about the struggles he faced in One Direction
He's admitted he used to put on a front
Author: Alex RossPublished 22nd Nov 2017 Last updated 22nd Nov 2017
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."
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."
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:
This epic One Direction stage selfie
He wrote, 'Tonight in Milan was amazing'
Liam Payne opens up about the struggles he faced in One Direction
2 of 27
When he showed off his smile
He wrote, 'Was it really that funny? 🤷🏻♂️🤓'.
This epic One Direction stage selfie
He wrote, 'Tonight in Milan was amazing'
When he and Cheryl wore matching mud masks
He wrote, 'I miss you!...the things you make me do🤓😋 home soon!'
When he melted hearts all over the world with this dog picture
He wrote, 'Woof Woof 🐶🐶'
When he posed for a selfie on stage with Niall Horan
He wrote, 'Last nights pic thanks Cardiff u were great'.
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!'
When he showed off his new shades
He wrote, 'New shades. Who dis?'.
This adorable selfie with his girlfriend Cheryl
He wrote, '⭐️🙌🏼🙏🏼'.
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 world🙏🏼'
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 😂'
When he reenacted this amazing throwback
He wrote, 'Still got it 😎'.
When he showed off his amazing set of abs
He said, 'Workout done off to party!!! #britawards2016'
When he took Halloween to the next level
When he made use of Snapchat's popular fiters
He wrote, 'Woof'.
When he gushed about his girlfriend Cheryl
He wrote, 'Happy #internationalwomensday to my favourite woman in the world 😘😘 hope I make you as happy as u make me X'
When his dog
When he posed NAKED on a boat
He wrote, 'Damn that was my last pair!'
When he got creative on holiday
He wrote, 'Few fi fo fum... machu pichu for some Incan fun'
When he posed with the one and only Ashton Kutcher
He wrote, 'Backstage with @aplusk ready for @fallontonight 👌🏼'
When he teamed up with Rita Ora for the Fifty Shades Freed single
He wrote, '#FiftyShadesFreed'.
When he turned up to The BRIT Awards with Cheryl
He wrote, '#BRITs'.
When he showed his support for Katy Perry
He wrote, 'Good luck tonight @katyperry 💥'.
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 world🌍🐻'. sic
When he looked super cool in Dubai
He wrote, 'Hello Dubai 😎'.
When he posed with Charlie Puth
He wrote, 'Kicking it with my G @charlieputh'.
Then showed his love for Camila Cabello
He wrote, 'Look who I bumped into.. Havan na na na @camila_cabello'. sic
When he channelled his inner Peaky Blinder
When he showed off his smile
He wrote, 'Was it really that funny? 🤷🏻♂️🤓'.
This epic One Direction stage selfie
He wrote, 'Tonight in Milan was amazing'
When he and Cheryl wore matching mud masks
He wrote, 'I miss you!...the things you make me do🤓😋 home soon!'
When he melted hearts all over the world with this dog picture
He wrote, 'Woof Woof 🐶🐶'
When he posed for a selfie on stage with Niall Horan
He wrote, 'Last nights pic thanks Cardiff u were great'.
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!'
When he showed off his new shades
He wrote, 'New shades. Who dis?'.
This adorable selfie with his girlfriend Cheryl
He wrote, '⭐️🙌🏼🙏🏼'.
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 world🙏🏼'
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 😂'
When he reenacted this amazing throwback
He wrote, 'Still got it 😎'.
When he showed off his amazing set of abs
He said, 'Workout done off to party!!! #britawards2016'
When he took Halloween to the next level
When he made use of Snapchat's popular fiters
He wrote, 'Woof'.
When he gushed about his girlfriend Cheryl
He wrote, 'Happy #internationalwomensday to my favourite woman in the world 😘😘 hope I make you as happy as u make me X'
When his dog
When he posed NAKED on a boat
He wrote, 'Damn that was my last pair!'
When he got creative on holiday
He wrote, 'Few fi fo fum... machu pichu for some Incan fun'
When he posed with the one and only Ashton Kutcher
He wrote, 'Backstage with @aplusk ready for @fallontonight 👌🏼'
When he teamed up with Rita Ora for the Fifty Shades Freed single
He wrote, '#FiftyShadesFreed'.
When he turned up to The BRIT Awards with Cheryl
He wrote, '#BRITs'.
When he showed his support for Katy Perry
He wrote, 'Good luck tonight @katyperry 💥'.
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 world🌍🐻'. sic
When he looked super cool in Dubai
He wrote, 'Hello Dubai 😎'.
When he posed with Charlie Puth
He wrote, 'Kicking it with my G @charlieputh'.
Then showed his love for Camila Cabello
He wrote, 'Look who I bumped into.. Havan na na na @camila_cabello'. sic
