Liam Payne’s label, Capitol Records U.K., did indeed end its relationship with the singer days before he died. Reports of Capitol dropping Payne emerged shortly after his October death, but the label never confirmed it, simply reposting a statement from Payne’s American distributor Republic Records remembering the singer as “an extraordinary artist whose music touched millions.” According to a new Rolling Stone investigation, Capitol U.K. did part ways with Payne in September 2024. The former One Direction member had just released “Teardrops,” his first song in years, that March, but neglected to promote it as he struggled with drug addiction. “Several key promo opportunities — major interviews, performances, launch events, content days, and fan events — were canceled, offers ignored, or major partner commitments unfulfilled,” a source told Rolling Stone.
Payne had also started a rehab program that March but did not finish it. He relapsed in April, according to a legal statement from his friend Rogelio Nores (one of five people charged for his death). He entered more treatment programs but did not finish any. Capitol reportedly shot down a pitched South American tour before dropping Payne. “It was decided by the label, given these factors combined with concerns for his health, to terminate the working relationship rather than further release music,” the source added.
Yet amid that turmoil, Payne’s career still moved forward. He signed to new talent representation at CAA in July, per Rolling Stone, ahead of a gig judging Netflix’s new singing competition Building the Band. A producer-director on the show, Simon Hay, told Rolling Stone Payne “was chatty and approachable” on set. Another crew member called Payne “egalitarian and charming.” One of Payne’s fellow judges, Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean — a recovering addict himself — said Payne seemed sober while filming the show. “He and I immediately connected on not only a music level but a human level, like we were both living a parallel life,” McLean said. Netflix reportedly still plans to release Building the Band later this year.
Correction: This story originally identified Republic Records, Payne’s American distributor, as the label that dropped him, as originally reported by Rolling Stone. Capitol Records U.K. dropped Payne.