One Direction Star Liam Payne Dies Age 31
The Facts
Liam Payne, a former member of the boy band One Direction, died on Wednesday at the age of 31 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Following the fall into the hotel's inner courtyard, a hotel worker, who described him as having been under the influence of "drugs and alcohol," called authorities, though medical officials say he suffered a "cranial fracture" and died instantly.
The Spin
Narrative A
Liam Payne was beloved by the world, from the time of his first audition at 14 to his final days. While he never quite reached the level of fame achieved by other members of the band, he still produced several hits during his own solo career. His life and death are evidence of the harsh life of a world-famous child star, but his memory will live on in the hearts of fans and celebrities alike.
Narrative B
The harsh life of someone like Liam Payne isn't a tragic byproduct of the music industry, but rather a part of its design. If Payne had come to fame ten years prior, the industry would have chosen his personality and physical appearance — not Harry Styles' — as the one to launch into stardom and profit from. Since he wasn't their desired demographic, however, they tossed him into the shadows, which was likely the cause of his troubles over the last several years.