Liam Payne has revealed that he checked into a US wellness clinic after hitting “rock bottom” following a controversial podcast appearance last year.
The Strip That Down singer, 29, faced a furious backlash over comments he made both about his time in boyband One Direction and his bandmates while talking to podcast host Logan Paul back in June 2022.
Amongst his many questionable claims was that the chart-topping group was formed around himself, and that he outsold his fellow bandmates with his debut single, which was disputed by fans.
He said there were “many reasons why I dislike Zayn [Malik]” and alluded to singer’s altercation with Yolanda Hadid last year.
Payne also said that he and Louis Tomlinson had hated each other when they were in One Direction and claimed to have been thrown into a wall by one of his bandmates.
Taking to YouTube on Saturday, he uploaded a video titled “I’m back”.
During the clip, Payne reflected on the infamous interview and admitted that he “came across really big-headed” and that “it was hard for me to watch back”.
There was a silver lining, however, because he went on to say that it had “saved my life” by causing him to seek help.
Apologising for his words in the new YouTube video, he said: “I needed to take some time out for myself. I kind of became someone I didn’t really recognise any more.
“I was so angry at what was going on around me that instead of taking a look inwards I decided to take it outwards on everybody else. It was wrong really, and my own frustrations with my own career. I want to apologise for that.
“The rest of the boys have really stuck by me, and when I needed them most they kind of came to my rescue, even Zayn.
“It was hard for me to watch back. I think in those moments when you make those videos you don’t really realise the impact that your words might have on other people,” he continued.
Adding: “Looking back on it, the whole podcast was a big ‘L’.. In fact, it’s probably one of those life changing moments that saved my life in a way.”
Speaking about taking time out in the centre which was in Louisiana, Payne said: “There is a point when you hit rock bottom and you realise you have got to do something different, as whatever you are doing right now isn’t working for you.
“I was in bad shape up until that point and I was really happy more than anything when I arrived to put a stopper on life and work.”
During this time, Payne was completely cut off from the world outside and didn’t even have access to his mobile phone. Instead, he took up art and poetry to pass the time.
He then went on to praise his ex-girlfriend Cheryl and their six-year-old son Bear, saying that they had also been a factor in his decision to sort his life out.
“Honestly more than anything I want to say thank you to Bear and his mum for giving me a little bit of freedom to go and get well, as I had to,” he explained. “There is no point trying to be a dad when you have nothing to teach.”
“I feel like I have a grip on life now. After I got back out, that process had worked for me, but there were still some little bits left that I kind of had to deal with myself,” he concluded.
