Reason Liam Payne was 'forced' to stay in Argentina before tragic death

By: Shawn
Liam Payne was forced to prolong his vacation to Argentina after his visa application to stay in the United States was first denied owing to his drug use, according to a close friend.

Liam Payne attends Annabel's 60th anniversary party on June 8, 2023, in London.
Dave Benett/Getty Images

The One Direction star flew to Buenos Aires to extend his 'exceptional achievement' visa, which would allow him to continue his new life in Florida with girlfriend Kate Cassidy.

Subsequently, his application was denied because he admitted to abusing alcohol and drugs and was had to undergo psychological and medical exams.

However, it was eventually cleared, and he was scheduled to get his passport stamped with the visa on Friday, only two days after dying in a fall from his hotel balcony.

"Everyone is devastated," a member of his inner circle admitted. 'Kate was destroyed.'

His pal added that Payne needed to travel abroad to renew his 'O-1 non-immigration' visa and decided to apply at the US embassy in Buenos Aires so that he could see his former bandmate Niall Horan perform in concert.

'Liam needed to get his US visa extended,' the friend explained.

'He was on an O-1 visa, which is reserved for artists, athletes, and other people of outstanding achievement.

'But one of the questions on the form reads, "Have you ever abused alcohol or drugs?" Liam's issues with drugs and alcohol are widely documented.

'It is commonly known that he had been to rehab in the United States, therefore he had to tick the box, and as a result, he had to undergo medical testing. He had to be examined by a doctor and a psychiatrist.

All of this takes time. So Liam was compelled to stay in Buenos Aires for longer than intended.

According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website, the O-1 non-immigrant visa is for 'individuals who possesses extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements'.

Payne, 31, was given a clean bill of health after medical and psychiatric exams, according to his friend, but died before his passport could be stamped with the renewable visa.

'The test findings were good,' the friend revealed. 'Liam was 100% sober.

'He was meant to meet at the embassy on Thursday and get his visa on Friday. 

'When I last spoke with Liam, I had no idea he would do something stupid.' Payne landed in Argentina with Ms Cassidy on October 1 in time to see Horan perform at the Movistar Arena in Buenos Aires the next evening.

The pair originally stayed in a fancy Airbnb house in the Argentine capital, but were forced to leave after Payne's visa application was delayed and their booking ended.

The singer subsequently booked into the exclusive CasaSur Hotel, and Ms Cassidy returned to their Miami residence on October 12.

Four days later, he fell to his death from the balcony of his third-floor room.

TRENDING!

Kate Hudson reveals why she regrets Devil Wears Prada decision

Image
Kate Hudson still regretted passing down a job in The Devil Wears Prada. The actress, who was first approached to play Andy Sachs (which Anne Hathaway eventually played), recently told Capital FM that she wished she had made her schedule work to feature in the 2006 picture starring Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. Kate Hudson. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association "That was a horrible decision. And it seems like a timing issue. "I couldn't do it, and I should have, but I didn't," Hudson said. "When I saw that one, I thought, awful. However, everything occurs for a purpose. There is a reason behind that. That was really like, 'I should've made that work.'" The Devil Wears Prada, directed by David Frankel, was based on Lauren Weisberger's novel of the same title. It follows ambitious writer Andy, who moves to New York City and begins working as an assistant to one of the city's most promi...
Read more

Kanye West and Bianca Censori make shocking Grammys entrance with daring naked red carpet look

Image
The 2025 Grammys red carpet had just been open for about 20 minutes when Kanye West and his wife, Bianca Censori, produced the inappropriate moment that fans would remember long after the program is over. Kanye West and Bianca Censori at the 2025 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Jon Kopaloff/WireImage When the couple initially came onto the carpet, Censori was dressed in a high-necked fur coat (real or imitation), which she clutched together in front. According to The Hollywood Reporter's red carpet coverage, Censori dropped her coat to reveal an exceedingly sheer minidress in an open, nude-toned mesh with seemingly no underwear within. Extra security measures were immediately implemented, and photographers were asked to step back six inches. The photographers had already gone silent as the couple arrived, making it all the easier to hear one lady photographer say, "What a reveal." Getty Images West was already facing backlash over messages he post...
Read more

What is Bell's Palsy? Signs, triggers, and treatment options

Image
Bell’s palsy is a neurological disorder that causes temporary facial paralysis, typically affecting only one side of the face. This condition can result in symptoms such as a lopsided smile, difficulty closing one eyelid, and a drooping face. Though the condition is temporary for most, it can significantly impact daily life. Lil Nas X reveals he's been hospitalized, says he's 'lost control' of half his face. Getty Images The Causes of Bell’s Palsy The primary cause of Bell's palsy is inflammation of the seventh cranial nerve, also known as the facial nerve, which controls the muscles of the face. Inflammation can disrupt the nerve’s function, leading to facial paralysis. While viral infections are often linked to the condition, many cases do not have a clear cause, making them idiopathic (of unknown origin). • Viral infections that may trigger Bell’s palsy include: • Herpes simplex 1 (which causes cold sores) • Epstein-Barr virus (responsible for mononuc...
Read more

Kanye West drops new song 'Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine' featuring Diddy, North West, King Combs, and Jasmine William

Image
‎On Saturday, Kanye West released his latest track titled "Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine," a song that includes features from Sean "Diddy" Combs, his son King Combs, West’s daughter North West, and Chicago artist Jasmine William. The over four-minute-long track was shared by the controversial rapper on his X (formerly Twitter) account. ‎ ‎Sean ' Diddy ' Combs and Kanye West in 2016. ‎Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Live Nation ‎ ‎In the post, West described the song as a collaboration that brings together an eclectic mix of family and music industry figures, writing: “LONELY ROADS STILL GO TO SUNSHINE new song by PUFF DADDY feat. His son KING COMBS my daughter NORTH WEST and new Yeezy artist from Chicago Jasmine William.” ‎ ‎The song opens with a recording of a phone conversation between West and Diddy, which sets the emotional tone of the track. In the conversation, a voice believed to be Diddy expresses gratitude to West for looking a...
Read more

Jay-Z and Sean 'Diddy' Combs accused of raping 13-year-old girl in amended lawsuit

Image
Jay-Z and Sean Combs faced a civil lawsuit on Sunday for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000. The case, filed in October in the Southern District of New York, first named the Roc Nation entrepreneur, Shawn Carter, as an anonymous celebrity defendant. Carter has flatly refuted the accusation, accusing the lawyer who filed the action of attempting to extort him with bogus assertions. Jay-Z. Phillip Faraone/Getty Images The accuser, suing as Jane Doe, claimed she was raped by Combs and Carter while being transported to an afterparty for the MTV Video Music Awards in New York City. According to the amended lawsuit, Doe attempted to attend the VMAs but did not have a ticket. She was dropped off near Radio City Music Hall by a friend. She claims she contacted limousine drivers to ask for assistance in getting into the performance or afterparty. One of the drivers claimed to work with Combs and asked her to an after party. Per the lawsuit, he urged her to return to the pla...
Read more

Jenna Ortega confirms 'Scream' exit was tied to Melissa Barrera firing, not scheduling

Image
‎In a candid interview with The Cut, Jenna Ortega clarified the long-speculated reason behind her departure from the Scream franchise, confirming it was not due to scheduling conflicts as previously reported, but rather her disillusionment with how the production handled the firing of co-star Melissa Barrera. ' Jenna Ortega. ' Getty Images ‎ ‎Ortega, who played Tara Carpenter in 2022’s Scream and 2023’s Scream VI, exited the franchise in November 2023—just one day after Barrera was dismissed over her pro-Palestinian social media posts. At the time, Ortega cited a "shooting schedule" conflict. However, she now admits that was not the truth. ‎ ‎“It had nothing to do with pay or scheduling,” Ortega told The Cut. “The Melissa stuff was happening, and it was all kind of falling apart. If ‘Scream VII’ wasn’t going to be with that team of directors and those people I fell in love with, then it didn’t seem like the right move for me in my career at the time.” ‎ ‎B...
Read more

Fox News host Ainsley Earhardt's engagement to Sean Hannity: Everything we know

Image
Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt, Fox News anchors, confirmed their engagement after dating privately for several years, becoming the latest Fox News couple to take their romance to the next level. According to an official statement from the network, the two got engaged at their local church over Christmas, with the permission and support of their families, including their children from previous marriages. ' Ainsley Earhardt. ' Getty Images Hannity, 62, and Earhardt, 48, are well-known conservative pundits due to their long careers on Fox News. Hannity runs his own evening show, Hannity, while Earhardt co-hosts the morning show Fox & Friends. Earhardt joined the network in 2007 to lead the overnight newscast. Hannity had been with Fox News for 11 years before she came. ' Sean Hannity ' and ' Ainsley Earhardt. ' Getty Images Soon after joining Fox, Earhardt began anchoring her own Hannity program, "Ainsley Across America." A...
Read more

Korean star, Kim Sae-ron of 'A Brand New Life' and 'The Man From Nowhere,' dies at 24

Image
South Korean actor Kim Sae-ron, known for her compelling performances from a young age, was found dead at her home in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on Sunday. She was 24. ' Kim Sae-ron. ' Imazins via Getty Images According to Reuters, Kim's body was discovered by a friend after she failed to arrive for an arranged meeting. Authorities discovered no evidence of foul play and are examining the circumstances surrounding her death. Kim was born in Seoul in 2000 and began her acting career when she was nine years old. She achieved international attention for her appearance in "A Brand New Life" (2009), which was shown at the Cannes Film Festival, making her one of the youngest performers to be accepted. Her performance in "The Man From Nowhere" (2010) reinforced her standing as a rising star in Korean cinema. The actor seamlessly shifted from kid parts to more sophisticated characters. Notable performances include "A Girl at My Door" (2014) and ...
Read more

New wildfire erupts near Calabasas and Hidden Hills, evacuation orders partially lifted

Image
A new wildfire has broken out in West Hills, California, near residences in the Calabasas and Hidden Hills areas. The Kenneth Fire broke out near the west end of Victory Boulevard around 2:30 p.m. and had destroyed nearly 800 acres of brush as of 5 p.m., fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds. Traffic backs up in Calabasas, California , as residents evacuate ahead of the Kenneth Fire on January 9 , 2025. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Mandatory evacuation orders were initially issued for the districts surrounding Vanowen Street south to Burbank Boulevard and County Lane Road east to Valley Circle Boulevard, but they were downgraded to an evacuation warning shortly before 5:15 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. "The challenging terrain and persistent winds complicate suppression activities, necessitating heightened vigilance from residents and adherence to directives from local authorities," the incident commanders reported in a message. Hidden Hills,...
Read more

'Diabetes Mellitus!' — ‎Michelle Trachtenberg's cause of death officially confirmed by NYC Medical Examiner

Image
‎The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner has officially confirmed the cause of actress Michelle Trachtenberg’s sudden death. The 39-year-old, known for her breakout role in Harriet the Spy and standout performances in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, died from complications of diabetes mellitus, People reports. Her death has been deemed natural. ‎ ‎' Michelle Trachtenberg. ' ‎Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for The Art of Elysium ‎ ‎Initially, Trachtenberg’s cause of death was listed as “undetermined” on February 27 due to her family’s objection to an autopsy, according to the New York Post. However, further medical evaluation has now clarified the circumstances surrounding her passing. ‎ ‎Trachtenberg’s death, first confirmed on February 26 by Us Weekly, was not considered suspicious by authorities at the time. Police sources indicated no foul play was involved. ‎ ‎In the months leading up to her death, Trachtenberg had responded publicly to specu...
Read more