Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Shocked fans gather outside Payne's hotel

Upset "Directioners" gather outside Liam Payne's hotel in Buenos Aires to mourn the boy band idol, who died on Wednesday evening after falling from a balcony. I'm in shock, says 23-year-old Martina di Lalla to AFP.

» Updated: 17 October 2024, 04:32

» Published: 17 October 2024

Shocked fans gather outside Payne's hotel
Photo: Natacha Pisarenko/AP/TT

The area outside the hotel in Buenos Aires was quickly cordoned off after the news of One Direction singer Liam Payne, 31, dying after a fall from the third floor. Pictures show how police on motorcycles and on foot are maintaining order, while grieving fans are gathering on the other side of the police barriers.

I'm in shock, I can't believe it. I live five blocks away and thought I had to come here, says Martina Di Lalla, who is outside the hotel, to AFP.

Haven't given up hope

The 23-year-old is one of many so-called "Directioners", fans of the band One Direction where Liam Payne previously was a member.

The boy band, which was formed in 2010 and had great success, took a break in 2016. But 21-year-old Lena Durek had not given up hope of a reunion.

It feels like a part of my teenage years has been lost, she says to AFP.

Music journalist Eve Barlow says to Sky News that One Direction's fans are among the most dedicated she has heard of.

I'm sure the fans will be in a state of absolute shock after these terrible news, she says.

Phenomenon with a dark side

Ben Beaumont-Thomas, music editor at The Guardian, says to Sky News that boy bands were more or less played out as a phenomenon after the 1990s heyday with Backstreet Boys and NSYNC – until One Direction came.

Liam was part of One Direction that took it back completely, and made it a pop cultural force again, he says to Sky News.

Payne had, both with One Direction and in his solo career, an enormous impact on pop culture according to Beaumont-Thomas, who also notes that the success had a darker side.

Liam was someone who throughout his entire career experienced scrutiny from the tabloid press and gossip columns on social media stronger than any of us could imagine, he says.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

They Can Be the Thriller of the Year
1 MIN READ

They Can Be the Thriller of the Year

Liam Payne flies home to England
1 MIN READ

Liam Payne flies home to England

They will be hosting Melodifestivalen
2 MIN READ

They will be hosting Melodifestivalen

Emotional when Hans dies in "Wahlgren's World"
2 MIN READ

Emotional when Hans dies in "Wahlgren's World"

The TV series about The Pirate Bay doesn't take sides
3 MIN READ

The TV series about The Pirate Bay doesn't take sides

Kimmel after Trump's victory: "Good evening for Putin"
1 MIN READ

Kimmel after Trump's victory: "Good evening for Putin"

The Turnaround: SR Takes Over Threatened Library
1 MIN READ

The Turnaround: SR Takes Over Threatened Library

Up to 400 may be laid off from Finnish Yle
1 MIN READ

Up to 400 may be laid off from Finnish Yle

The Swedish songs that count towards the EU's songbook
1 MIN READ

The Swedish songs that count towards the EU's songbook

Oasis Expands World Tour
1 MIN READ

Oasis Expands World Tour

Kristofer Hivju is Santa's unknown brother
3 MIN READ

Kristofer Hivju is Santa's unknown brother

Celebrities react to the election result
2 MIN READ

Celebrities react to the election result

The State Wins Against Secretly Filmed Vaccine Opponent
2 MIN READ

The State Wins Against Secretly Filmed Vaccine Opponent

St. Goran Hospital becomes a reality TV show
1 MIN READ

St. Goran Hospital becomes a reality TV show

"Michael" to Premiere in Fall 2025
1 MIN READ

"Michael" to Premiere in Fall 2025

Million Support to Malmö Art Hall
1 MIN READ

Million Support to Malmö Art Hall

Jens Lapidus makes TV about famous violent crimes
2 MIN READ

Jens Lapidus makes TV about famous violent crimes

Million Grant to Malmö Art Hall
1 MIN READ

Million Grant to Malmö Art Hall

This week's film and series
2 MIN READ

This week's film and series

Dr. Phil: I'm not supporting Trump
1 MIN READ

Dr. Phil: I'm not supporting Trump