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Liam Payne’s dating history had a pattern, according to the late One Direction singer.
Payne, who died at age 31 on Oct. 16, 2024, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, blamed himself for his failed relationships.
“I feel like more than anything at this point, I’m more disappointed in myself that I keep on hurting people. That annoys me,” he said in a 2021 interview on The Diary of a CEO podcast. “I’ve just not been very good at relationships. And I know what my pattern of things is with relationships, I feel at this point. I’m just not very good at them so I just need to work on myself before I put myself on to somebody else. And I feel like that’s where I got to in my last relationship.”
Look back at Liam Payne’s relationships before his tragic and untimely passing.
Related: Liam Payne’s Net Worth From One Direction and Solo Stardom
Who has Liam Payne dated?
Danielle Peazer
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Payne dated X Factor dancer Danielle Peazer, who was five years his senior, from 2010 (when he was 17 and she was 22) until early 2013. During their relationship, they adopted a puppy named Loki.
Sophia Smith
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Payne dated his childhood friend Sophia Smith from May 2013 to October 2015. After their breakup, Payne revealed he was heartbroken, even though he was the one to call it quits.
“I’m absolutely devastated to have split with Sophia,” he admitted to The Sun (via PEOPLE). “Being on the tour all this year and being away from her was so hard. We spent so much time apart. But in order to do right by somebody sometimes it’s better not to do what your heart wants, but to do what’s better for them.”
Who is Cheryl Cole
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Payne dated Girls Aloud singer Cheryl from February 2016 to July 2018; they welcomed their son Bear together in March 2017. The pair first met when Payne was just 14 auditioning for X Factor when she was a judge. When they had their son, Payne was 23 and Cheryl 33.
Related: All About Cheryl and Liam Payne’s Son Bear Grey Payne
Naomi Campbell
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Payne was linked to supermodel Naomi Campbell in early 2019, according to Us Weekly, but neither ever confirmed or denied a romance. The pair, who had a 23-year age gap, both attended the ABB FIA Formula E HKT Hong Kong E-Prix in March 2019, but weren’t photographed together—but they left flirty Instagram comments before and afterward.
Maya Henry
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Payne was first rumored to be dating model Maya Henry in August 2018, but the pair didn’t go public until a year later, when Payne said he was “very happy” during a radio interview. Henry, daughter of wealthy personal injury attorney Thomas J. Henry, and Payne got engaged in 2020, but split in June 2021. They briefly reunited that October, but called it quits for good in early 2022.
Maya told PEOPLE after their split that her eight-year age gap with Payne caused difficulties in their relationship, and she published a novel, Looking Forward, partially inspired by her experiences. In the book, the protagonist meets and embarks on a relationship with a boy band member named Oliver, whose mental health suffers when his career slows and who commits domestic violence. The protagonist in the novel also has an abortion at Oliver’s insistence and is hospitalized for complications afterward, which she alleged happened to her in real life as well.
Aliana Mawla
Shortly after his split from Maya Henry was announced, Payne was photographed getting cozy with model and influencer Aliana Mawla. Mawla’s rep denied to Us Weekly that there was any overlap between Payne’s relationship with Henry and his fling with Mawla.
Who is Kate Cassidy
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Kate Cassidy and Payne began dating in spring 2022, not long after he was linked to Mawla. They split briefly in May 2023 after less than a year together, but confirmed their reconciliation in February 2024 when they hit a red carpet together. Cassidy was with Payne for the first part of his trip to Argentina, but left two days before he died.
Was Liam Payne in a relationship when he died?
Payne and Cassidy were dating when he died. She was not present with him at the time of his death, however, as she’d gone back home to Miami days earlier.
Related: Rita Ora Can’t Keep Her Composure While Performing Her Duet With Liam Payne for the First Time Since His Death
Was Liam Payne alone when he died?
Payne was reportedly alone in his hotel room when he fell to his death from a balcony.
Why did Cheryl and Liam Payne split up?
The Sun reported that Cheryl and Payne split up because his grueling travel schedule made maintaining their relationship difficult. Their decade-age gap reportedly also played a role in their romance simply not working out in the long term.
Who is Liam Payne’s wife?
Payne was never married.
Who was Liam Payne’s ex-girlfriend?
Payne’s exes include Peazer, Smith, Cheryl, Campbell, Henry, Mawla and Cassidy.
Related: Liam Payne’s Cause of Death Revealed
Did Liam Payne propose to Maya Henry?
Payne proposed to Henry in 2020, but they broke up before ever making it down the aisle.
Why is Maya Henry suing Liam Payne?
Just days before his death, Henry sent Payne a cease and desist letter demanding he stop contacting her, The Daily Mail reported. Henry posted a TikTok video in which she doesn’t name Payne, but says an ex associated with “One Direction fans” called and texted her, her family members and her friends repeatedly from different numbers. She also claimed her ex weaponized Directioners to harass her.
A source told PEOPLE that in the days leading up to his death, Payne was “overwhelmed” with the legal issues stemming from his relationship with Henry.
Related: Remembering the Stars and Legends We’ve Lost In 2024
