Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean Bonded With Liam Payne Over Sobriety, But Is Having A Tough Time After His Death: ‘I Can Torture My Brain About ‘Why Didn’t He Respond?’’

Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean Bonded With Liam Payne Over Sobriety, But Is Having A Tough Time After His Death: ‘I Can Torture My Brain About ‘Why Didn’t He Respond?’’

As a gamer who has grown up with the music of One Direction and Backstreet Boys, I find myself deeply saddened by the untimely death of Liam Payne. Having spent my formative years listening to their catchy tunes, it’s heart-wrenching to learn about such a tragic loss in the lives of these talented artists.


The unexpected passing of Liam Payne has left many in disbelief, and as time passes, stories about him are being shared with a sense of sorrow over this devastating event. Among those paying tribute is AJ McLean from Backstreet Boys, who formed a bond with the ex-One Direction singer around their mutual struggle with sobriety. Now, McLean is speaking out about that shared connection and the struggles he’s experiencing in coping with the loss of his friend and musical counterpart.

A Backstreet Boys band member previously collaborated with Payne on the reality competition series “Building the Band,” which is set to premiere on Netflix. Sharing a common history in boy bands and their commitment to sobriety, they developed a strong bond. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, AJ McLean spoke candidly about their friendship.

[We spoke] candidly about sobriety, sharing stories and one-upping each other. We could laugh about it all, because if you’re still there to talk about it, that means you’re moving in a good direction.

McLean expressed that he perceived Payne as more like an elder sibling to him, and he pointed out that it was evident that the musician had gone through tough times. Both individuals gained immense fame at a tender age due to the success of their respective boy bands. They also share a past dealing with substance abuse issues.

A member of the Backstreet Boys stated that he didn’t believe One Direction’s former singer was doing drugs during their collaboration. However, tragically, Payne met an untimely death in Buenos Aires, and an autopsy later found traces of a drug concoction known as pink cocaine (a mixture of methamphetamine, ketamine, ecstasy, and potentially other substances) within his system.

Prior to Payne’s demise, individuals at the hotel where he was lodging reported that he was creating a commotion and required being escorted back to his room. Some also claimed to have witnessed him shattering his laptop in the lobby and observed him passing out there. Although many aspects of his death remain unclear, it was later disclosed that substances, including crack and cocaine, were found in his system, with traces discovered in his room as well.

Following their collaboration on the Netflix show, McLean shared that he often exchanged texts with Payne, and had sent him a message just a day before his untimely demise. Reflecting on the events that transpired and the sorrow he’s experiencing, the “I Want It That Way” vocalist commented:

It’s left me questioning if we’ll ever find a clear explanation for this event, which is one of the hardest things to accept. The ‘why’ questions are relentless: Why here? Why now? But when you’re in pain and seeking relief, answers often elude us. I find myself endlessly pondering, ‘Why didn’t he reply?’ Yet, I understand. All I can do is hope that his memory lives on as a symbol of a generous spirit and immense talent.

Similar to AJ McLean, numerous celebrities have expressed affection and solidarity for Liam Payne and his family. Alongside the entire One Direction group, Simon Cowell penned an emotional tribute, expressing deep sadness over his passing, stating he was “deeply saddened” by this loss. Shawn Mendes, too, took a moment during his concert to honor the “Night Changes” singer, describing him as a “wonderful person.

As we uncover more details about Liam Payne’s passing and share anecdotes from people who were acquainted with and collaborated with him, we promise to keep you informed.

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2024-11-01 19:07