After Making Controversial One Direction Comments, Liam Payne Enrolls in Rehab

• Liam Payne recently posted a YouTube video to address his absence from the public eye.
• In the video, he apologized for the controversial comments he made about One Direction on Logan Paul’s podcast last year.
• Payne revealed that he spent 100 days in rehab following the backlash and has now been sober for six months.

One year after sparking fury from One Direction fans, Liam Payne broke his silence with an eight-minute YouTube video titled “I’m Back…”

The 29-year-old singer started by addressing his controversial appearance on Logan Paul’s “Impaulsive” podcast in May 2022.

Payne made headlines last year for speaking out about his issues with One Direction, particularly Zayn Malik, whom he referred to as a “dick.” He also mentioned getting into a physical altercation with a former bandmate, without specifying who.

In another bold statement, Payne claimed on the podcast that his debut solo single, “Strip That Down,” was a major streaming success and “outsold everybody in the band.”

Michael Tran/FilmMagic

In his latest vlog, Payne acknowledged that his comments “came from a negative place” and stemmed from his own frustrations with his career.

“Instead of reflecting inwardly, I directed my anger outwardly towards others, which was completely wrong,” he explained. “I want to sincerely apologize for that.”

Payne described his criticism of One Direction as a form of self-protection and even praised his former bandmates for standing by him.

“The rest of the boys really supported me when I needed them the most, they came to my rescue,” he said. “Even Zayn, I sent him a small online thank you. It may have come across as arrogant, didn’t it?”

At the time, Payne didn’t consider the impact his comments would have on others, but he now sees the fallout as a “life-changing moment that saved my life, in a way.”

Payne explained that he had to take time away to focus on his well-being. He spent nearly 100 days in a rehab facility in Louisiana, where he disconnected from the outside world to prioritize his recovery.

“I completely cut off contact with the outside world,” he shared. “Turning my phone back on after leaving was a bit intimidating.”

Payne admitted he was in a rough state when he entered the facility but has since been sober for almost six months. He also revealed plans to release a new album and go on tour later this year.

“I’m in a good place now,” he said. “I no longer need those things. The party’s over.”

Previously, Payne opened up about his struggles with addiction and hitting rock bottom during his time in One Direction. He relied on alcohol as a coping mechanism due to the pressure and loneliness that came with fame, especially at a young age under constant scrutiny.

“To keep us safe because of our huge success, we were locked in our rooms. And of course, there was a mini-bar in the room,” he shared during a 2021 podcast interview. “So at some point, I thought, ‘Why not have a party for one?’ And that pattern continued throughout many years of my life.”