Liam Payne’s heartbreaking death has sparked a call for change in the music industry, with top songwriter Guy Chambers suggesting that under-18s should not be allowed to join pop bands.
The 31 year old One Direction star tragically fell from a hotel balcony in Argentina on Wednesday, October 16. In response to the tragedy, Chambers, who was close friends and a writing partner of Robbie Williams, has teamed up with other industry figures to advocate for changes.
He believes that thrusting young teenagers into an adult-dominated industry could be “potentially damaging”. He cited Robbie’s experience during his rise to fame with Take That in the 1990s as an example, the Mirror reports.
Speaking to the Observer, he said: “I do think putting a 16-year-old in an adult world like that is potentially really damaging. Robbie experienced that, certainly.”
He continued: “I have four children, so I think about this a lot. I know in Robbie’s case, with Take That, there wasn’t any proper protection set up to look after what were teenage boys. That was a long time ago, but I don’t see much sign of change.
“There is not much more real care taken, that I have observed, from people involved in the big television talent shows.”
Guy has spoken out as a petition gathers momentum, with over 17,000 signatures already calling for greater protection of artists after the tragic passing of Liam. The movement seeks government measures to preserve entertainers’ mental health, advocating regular checks, mandatory breaks, and sustained support throughout their careers.
In light of Liam’s tragic death, the initiative highlights: “The entertainment industry, acclaimed for its glamour and stardom, is equally infamous for the enormous pressure it exerts on the mental health of artists. Resultant issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, substance misuse and even suicide are alarmingly high.”
The document presses for action, noting that “According to research, performers are 2-3 times more likely to suffer from these issues compared to the general population.”
It also underscores the need for legislation that safeguards performers’ psychological wellbeing. Liam had bravely shared his mental health battles in the past, revealing “severe suicidal thoughts” and substance abuse during his peak One Direction era.
Reflecting on this tough period of his life during a 2021 interview on the Diary of a CEO podcast, Liam confessed: “There is some stuff that I have definitely never, never spoken about. It was really, really, really severe. It was a problem. And it was only until I saw myself after that I was like, ‘Right, I need to fix myself.'”.
He recounted seeing photos of himself on a boat, looking “all bloated out.” He referred to this as his “pills-and-booze face.”
He explained: “My face was just, like, 10 times more than it is now. I just didn’t like myself very much, and then I made a change.”
In 2019, the late singer also opened up about his struggles with fame and alcohol to Men’s Health Australia, admitting that he sometimes used alcohol as a coping mechanism.
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