1 month ago
15 ARTICLE AD
AJ McLean recalled working with the late Liam Payne in the upcoming show “Building The Band,” pointing out that the two had a lot of “similarities.”
“Liam was a friend, we just finished filming a show together,” McLean told TMZ Monday. “We spent six weeks together and it’s absolutely tragic. I’m still processing it.”
The singer, who has battled with his own addictions throughout the years, pointed out, “Addiction is a real thing, I’ve been through it and, fortunately, I came out on the other end but I’m one of few.”
LUKE / SplashNews.com Getty ImagesHe also went on to remember Payne, who died on Oct. 16, as an “absolute light” and an “absolute sweetheart.”
“He was funny, lighthearted,” he continued. “We really got to know each other very quickly. We had a lot of similarities, we had a lot of things and stories to talk about.”
Despite sharing stories “about life,” the singer recalled that Payne never brought up his struggles with mental health or addiction and, therefore, didn’t see any signs of a possible relapse.
Getty Images FilmMagicMcLean went on to send his condolences to Payne’s fans, friends, family and fellow One Direction bandmates: Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Harry Styles.
The 46-year-old has been sober for the last three years after battling with drug addiction and alcoholism for 20.
In late August, Payne and McLean — along with Kelly Rowland and Nicole Scherzinger — filmed the new competition series set in England, where 50 people will try to form the next music group sight-unseen. It’s still unknown when and if the show will premiere.
As fans know, Payne similarly started his musical career when he was placed in One Direction while competing in the X Factor in 2010.
Want more celebrity and pop culture news?
Start your day with Page Six Daily.
Thanks for signing up!
McLean’s comments come a week after Payne died due to a fall from the balcony of his third-story room in CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31.
A preliminary autopsy report showed that the former boy bander suffered a cranial fracture when he fell, as well as multiple traumas that led to internal and external bleeding.
Amid speculation about the erratic behavior he was exhibiting moments before his death, it has now been determined that the “Strip That Down” singer had a multitude of drugs in his system.
A toxicology report found cocaine, crack and benzodiazepine, which is a type of depressant, in his system. Pink cocaine, a recreational drug that typically mixes methamphetamine, ketamine, MDMA and others, was also found.
Getty Images WireImagePayne had previously admitted to struggling with addiction and mental health issues during his time in One Direction.
Following his sudden and tragic death, Payne’s former bandmates paid tribute to him in a rare joint message.
“The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever,” the “What Makes You Beautiful” singers said in a statement to Page Six last Thursday.
“For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you, Liam.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
