Liam Payne’s grief: Celebrity deaths can cause real pain, experts say
After One Direction member’s death, mental health experts offer ways to cope
A hotel employee in Argentina said One Direction’s Liam Payne was drunk and “wrecked the whole room” before Payne fell to his death from a balcony, Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Buenos Aires police/Reuters)
The sudden death of pop singer Liam Payne has sent shockwaves through his fan base.
Payne, 31, one of five members of British boy band One Direction, died on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
His death came as a shock to fans, who shared countless messages of grief and despair on social media and gathered to remember him around the world.
Because the loss of a celebrity can bring up a wide range of emotions , experts confirm that feelings of grief and mourning are real, even if there was no personal connection.
Fans pay tribute to British singer Liam Payne in front of the hotel where he died in Buenos Aires on October 17, 2024. (LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images)
Heather Hagen, a licensed mental health physician and executive director of outpatient services at Newport Healthcare in Los Angeles , told Fox News Digital that celebrities can have a big impact on the lives of their fans through their work, “which can create a sense of connection.”
“So the emotions you’re feeling are valid,” she confirmed.
“With media, sometimes we feel like we really knew a celebrity, and it’s hard to accept the thought of them no longer being around, even though we may have never actually met them.”
With an artist like Payne in particular, Hagen said the nostalgia some fans feel for growing up with One Direction’s music could add to the impact of his death.
Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik of One Direction attend the launch of their debut single ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ at HMV, Oxford Street on September 11, 2011, in London, England. (Fred Duval/FilmMagic)
“These fans can recall memories associated with the celebrity’s music and the joy those moments brought them growing up,” she says.
According to the expert, those in younger generations — specifically Gen Z and younger Millennials — may be more affected by Payne’s death, as he was “still young and actively pursuing his career.”
“This may be the first celebrity death they’ve encountered, which can be more emotional than it would be for someone who’s older,” Hagen said.
She advises that people who are suffering from the loss of a celebrity should allow themselves to experience the full range of emotions associated with grief , including anger, sadness and nostalgia.
Hagen also recommends taking care of yourself and focusing on things that promote happiness, like spending time with loved ones or enjoying a favorite hobby.
“Listening to Liam and One Direction can help lift my mood at the moment,” she said.
Hagen notes that celebrity deaths often stir up emotions related to past tragedies.
“The emotions we experience can be tied to past pain that we still carry,” she says.
One Direction members (from left to right) Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan attend the X Factor press conference at the Connaught Hotel in central London on December 9, 2010. (Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images)
“Seek professional help if your emotions become too intense or interfere with your daily life,” experts advise. “They can help you process your grief in a healthy way.”
Sharing feelings with friends and other fans can also be a helpful coping mechanism, according to Hagen.
“Sharing your favorite memories of them can help create a sense of connection,” she says. “Talking about your thoughts can bring comfort and help you feel less alone in your grief.”
Los Angeles grief expert David Kessler reiterates that talking about the tragedy is an important step in getting over the sudden loss of a celebrity — or the loss of anyone loved or admired.
One Direction’s Liam Payne arrives at an autograph signing on December 6, 2010. (Anna Gowthorpe/PA Images via Getty Images)
Kessler noted in a previous interview with Fox News Digital that talking about loss is not only helpful for those who are grieving, but also honors the deceased.
“The public grief is real grief,” he said.
“Public figures are a part of our lives — they remind us of who we are and, sometimes, of who we want to be.”
