Title: Liam Payne Struggled With Comparisons to 1D Members, Collaborator Says
As One Direction’s Liam Payne embarks on his solo music career, a collaborator has come forward to reveal that the singer- songwriter struggled with comparisons to his former group members during his time with the hit boyband.
According to a conversation with producer and songwriter, Emily Warren, Payne, 27, struggled with the pressure of living up to the expectations set by his fellow bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik.
In an interview with The Guardian, Warren shared her experiences working with Payne on his solo debut album, “LP1”, which was released in 2019. She revealed that Payne would often feel anxious about being compared to his former bandmates, who have also pursued successful solo careers.
“Harry Styles, for example, he’s like a rockstar, you know? He’s got this swagger and this confidence that’s just… it’s like, ‘This guy’s a rockstar, you know?’ And, for Liam, it’s like, he’s a pop star, he’s a singer-songwriter, and he’s got a different kind of confidence,” Warren explained.
Warren added that Payne would often struggle with feelings of inadequacy, wondering if his music was not as good as that of his former bandmates. “He’s always been a bit of a perfectionist, and so he would be really hard on himself,” she said. “He would be like, ‘Is this good enough? Is this good enough to stand alongside Harry’s music? Is this good enough to stand alongside Niall’s music?’ And, you know, it’s like, ‘Dude, you’re a talented songwriter, you’re a great singer, you’re making great music – just enjoy it!’ But he’s always pushing himself to be better.”
The struggles with comparisons to his former bandmates took a toll on Payne’s mental health, with Warren revealing that he would often become withdrawn and isolated. “He would get really anxious, and he would get really withdrawn, and he would stop answering his phone, and he would stop responding to messages,” she explained. “And I would be like, ‘Liam, come on, man, you’re getting way too caught up in this. You’re a great artist, you’re a great songwriter – just enjoy it!’ And he’s like, ‘No, no, no, I have to keep going, I have to keep trying to be better.'”
Despite the struggles, Payne has continued to work on his music, releasing a string of successful singles and EPs since his debut album. His latest single, “Hurts Like a Heart”, was released in June and features a duet with country music star, Juicy J.
With his new music and a renewed sense of focus, Payne seems to be finally finding his footing as a solo artist, free from the pressures of living up to the expectations of his former bandmates. As Warren noted, “Once he let go of the comparisons, and just focused on making music that he loved, that’s when the magic started to happen.”
