Liam Payne, the former One Direction heartthrob, captured the attention of fans around the world not only for his music but also for his highly publicized relationship with Maya Henry. From their engagement to the tumultuous breakup, the pair’s romance was anything but simple. While the glitz and glamour of fame often overshadow personal struggles, Henry’s warnings about Payne’s declining well-being were impossible to ignore.
Over the course of their relationship, Henry had made several attempts to draw attention to the darker side of Payne’s life. These moments, marked by public statements, legal battles, and candid confessions, painted a concerning picture of the singer’s mental state. Here are five significant times when Maya Henry warned the world that the late pop star was in desperate need of help.
Maya Henry’s Public Statements About Liam Payne’s Struggles
Throughout their on-again, off-again relationship, Maya Henry often spoke publicly about the difficulties they faced together, hinting at Liam Payne’s personal issues. In interviews, she alluded to his mental health battles, suggesting that his behavior was not just the result of typical relationship struggles but something far more serious.
During one interview with People, she said, “I definitely chose to forgive a lot of things. When you love someone so much, you have those rose-colored glasses. You’re in denial, so you think those things will stop, and they don’t, and that just becomes an issue among other issues.”
These statements were often brushed off by the media as typical relationship woes. But to those paying close attention, they were clear signs that Henry believed Payne was fighting inner demons that extended beyond the confines of their relationship.
Her words painted the picture of a woman who was not only navigating the complexities of love but also grappling with a partner who was struggling with personal battles that were slowly consuming him.
Liam Payne’s Haunting Admission
In one of the most harrowing moments of their relationship, Henry revealed that Payne had made a chilling admission to her. Shortly before his tragic death, the singer reportedly told her, “I’m going to die.”
This statement, made in a moment of desperation, was a cry for help that highlighted the severity of Liam’s mental health struggles. Henry shared this heartbreaking revelation in a podcast interview with The Internet is Dead, where she discussed the toll Liam’s words had taken on her.
“When I announced my book, he did the same thing. He called my mom and said, ‘I think I’m not going to be around much longer,’” she revealed. These words, coupled with his erratic behavior, painted a grim picture of someone on the brink of disaster. For Maya, hearing Payne express such thoughts was terrifying, and she tried to help him in any way she could. Unfortunately, despite her efforts, Payne’s downward spiral continued.
Liam Payne’s Friends Reaching Out
In the same interview, she revealed another detail about Payne’s friends reaching out to her because they were concerned about his well-being. So it’s evident that even people around him knew something was off.
Even one of his friends was calling me and my mom being like, ‘Oh, you know this just isn’t a good time for him. I don’t think you should put the book out. He’s not doing well and if something happens to him, not only are you going to blame yourself but the whole world’s gonna blame you.’
This was said in reference to Henry’s book and showcases the genuine concern his friends had around Payne’s mental health.
The Cease-and-Desist Order
Just one week before Payne’s untimely death, Maya Henry took legal action by issuing a cease-and-desist order against him. This move came after Payne had repeatedly contacted her, even after their breakup, through various phone numbers and iCloud accounts (via Dailymail).
Her decision to involve legal measures was not just about setting boundaries, it was an indication that her ex’s behavior had become increasingly erratic and concerning. A source close to the situation mentioned that Payne was “extremely overwhelmed by all of the legal issues,” involving Henry (via People).
This legal battle was one of the many signs that Payne’s personal life was unraveling, and Henry’s initiation of a lawsuit was a desperate attempt to protect herself from his increasingly unpredictable behavior. While fans were shocked by the fallout, her actions revealed the extent to which Payne’s struggles were impacting those around him, including the woman who had once loved him deeply.
Maya Henry’s Book: A Fictionalized Account of Real-Life Struggles
After her relationship with Payne ended, Maya Henry wrote a novel titled Looking Forward, which many believe was inspired by her time with the former boy band star. The book tells the story of Mallory, an aspiring model who falls in love with a former boy band member named Oliver.
The story explores themes of abuse, substance addiction, and mental health struggles, with Oliver’s character mirroring some of Payne’s real-life struggles. Henry has been open about how much of her book was inspired by true events, stating in an interview with People, “Mallory is very similar to me, and that’s why it was very easy for me to write her character and put the emotion in there.”
In Looking Forward, Mallory deals with verbal insults, violent confrontations, and the emotional toll of being in a relationship with someone battling their own demons. While the book is a work of fiction, its parallels to Henry and Payne’s relationship are undeniable.
Through her novel, Henry was able to shed light on the emotional strain of being with someone who is struggling with addiction and mental health issues. For fans and readers alike, the book served as a window into the private struggles that had long been hidden behind the headlines.
Maya Henry’s relationship with Liam Payne was far from the fairytale it may have seemed at the beginning. Over the years, she dropped multiple hints and made public statements that warned the world of Payne’s ongoing battles with his mental health, addiction, and erratic behavior, but unfortunately, it’s too late.
