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Reflecting on Liam Payne’s X Factor Auditions at 14 That Launched Him into His “Dream” Career.Linh

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The former One Direction member died on Wednesday, Oct. 16, after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina at the age of 31 Look back at Liam Payne X Factor audition

Music lovers the world over have been left heartbroken by the tragic death of Liam Payne.

The former One Direction star died on Wednesday, Oct. 16, after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina at the age of 31.

Policía Federal Argentina confirmed to PEOPLE that the star was pronounced dead after falling multiple stories at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires.

In the midst of paying tribute to the late singer on social media, fans have also been taking a look at throwback videos of Payne’s journey to musical stardom, including his auditions for The X Factor, which saw the genesis of One Direction as a band.

Liam Payne on 'The X Factor'
Liam Payne on ‘The X Factor’.The X Factor UK/YouTube

Payne first auditioned to take part in the British singing competition in 2008 at the age of 14.

“When I’m at school, in general, I think about singing all the time,” he said backstage before his audition at the time. “I should really be concentrating on my work but I think about singing too much. It’s a dream, I’d love to do it.”

The then-school student then sang “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra.

Although judge Simon Cowell felt like there was “20%” missing, Payne ended up getting three yes’s after he impressed judges Cheryl — with whom he would later welcome his only child, son Bear in 2017 — and Louis Walsh.

However, Payne’s first X Factor journey came to an end during the Judges’ Houses, where judge Cowell, 65, felt the young star wasn’t ready.

Putting that setback behind him, the “Polaroid” artist auditioned for the show again in 2010 at the age of 16, where he sang “Cry Me A River” by Michael Bublé.

After impressing all four judges that time around, Payne received four yes’s, including a standing ovation from Cowell and singer Natalie Imbruglia.

However, after Payne wasn’t able to pass the boot camp stage in the “Boys category,” the singer was called back alongside Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson, resulting in the formation of the boy band One Direction by Cowell and guest judge Nicole Scherzinger.

The boy group succeeded in the live shows, ultimately finishing third in the series.

Alongside his bandmates, Payne saw much success being part of one of the biggest pop groups in the world.

One Direction released five studio albums and went on four world tours before splitting in 2016.

Payne also carved a successful solo career in his own right, releasing songs such as 2017s “Strip That Down,” 2021’s “Sunshine” and 2024’s “Teardrops.”