Former X Factor star Katie Waissel has called for a negligence and duty of care investigation into Simon Cowell’s record company after Liam Payne‘s death.
The 31-year-old former One Direction singer plunged 45ft from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, prompting a wave of tributes from across the showbiz world.
Waissel, a 38-year-old singer-songwriter who auditioned alongside Payne on the 2010 series of X Factor, name-checked Cowell in two statements in which she accused music bosses of focusing on ‘profits rather than people’.
Last night she went further still – citing an ‘urgent need for change in the music industry’ as she called for an ‘immediate investigation’ and ‘new laws’ to protect stars.
Cowell, 65, was a judge on X Factor and signed One Direction to his music label, Syco.
Taking to social media, she posted: ‘The tragic loss of my dear friend Liam Payne highlights the urgent need for change in the music industry.
Cowell (middle) with (from left to right) Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik
Mourning music mogul Simon Cowell has stepped down from filming Britain’s Got Talent in the wake of Liam Payne’s sudden death at the age of 31
Katie Waissel, a 38-year-old singer-songwriter who auditioned alongside Payne on the 2010 series of X Factor, has called for an investigation into Cowell’s company
‘I’m calling for an immediate investigation into SyCo Entertainment for negligence and breach of duty of care. Artists are not commodities, and their wellbeing must be prioritised.
‘We need new laws to protect the safety and mental health of all in the industry. NO MORE PROFIT OVER PEOPLE. Let Liam’s story spark the reform we desperately need.’
Continuing her tribute to her ‘kind and grounded’ friend, Waissel – who previously claimed The X Factor ‘ruined my life’ – said last night: ‘Artists are not commodities, and their wellbeing must be prioritised.
‘We need new laws to protect the safety and mental health of all in the industry. No more profit over people. Let Liam’s story spark the reform we desperately need.’
The 38-year-old singer went on to say that to the outside world One Direction were seen as ‘the untouchables’ because of their huge, global success.
Yet in reality, she claims, the stars were also suffering from ‘trauma’ of going on the show, over which they all ‘bonded’ after being ‘cattle-branded’ by Cowell’s music business.
Name-checking Cowell and his business once again, she told Sky News: ‘They were so young during The X Factor and to be very frank and transparent, once you have been on that show or associated or affiliated with the likes of say Simon Cowell or SyCo Entertainment you are cattle-branded.
‘That’s your identity no matter what you do, that’s your identity. And when you are trying to branch away from that, it’s very difficult from a mental health standpoint to then re-find your own identity and life purpose if you are perhaps taking a different direction in life.
Fans of Liam Payne lit candles next to the hotel where he died in Buenos Aires on Wednesday
Payne plunged from a third floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires (file photo)
Liam Payne is pictured next to a lift in the Casa Sur Hotel lobby at 4.28pm on Wednesday
‘When it comes to addiction and so come and so forth it has been rife in the industry for many years. Other times people self-medicate because they are struggling, they don’t know who they turn to.’
Waissell’s comments come after fellow contestant Rebecca Ferguson also said the PTSD caused by ‘profiteering off young stars’ had ‘finally taken its first victim’.
Penning a tribute on social media, the singer said: ‘It’s always a hotel room! We both met at Euston Station and shared the taxi together to X Factor, young, innocent and unaffected by fame.
‘I can’t help but think of that boy who was hopeful and looking forward to his bright future ahead. If he hadn’t jumped on that train and jumped in that taxi I believe he would be alive today.
‘I’ve spoken for years about the exploitation and profiteering of young stars and the effects – many of us are still living with the aftermath and the PTSD [post traumatic stress disorder].
‘Many of us are devastated and reflective today as it has finally taken its first victim.’
Meanwhile it has been reported that the death of Payne has hit music mogul Cowell ‘incredibly hard’, with him taking a step back from filming for Britain’s Got Talent in Blackpool.
Recording is set to pick back up on Saturday with Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, KSI and Bruno on the panel while Cowell grieves the popstar’s death.
‘This news has hit Simon incredibly hard – he is utterly shocked and devastated,’ a source told The Sun.
One of Liam Payne’s final selfies in Buenos Aires was captioned: ‘Lovely day in Argentina’
Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy posted a picture of the pair on her Instagram from last August
Police in the hotel reception area of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires after Liam Payne fell
Fans light candles as they pay tribute to Liam Payne at the Obelisco in Buenos Aires last night
‘He adored Liam, and was close to his family with whom he is sure to reach out privately. He didn’t feel it was right to continue with filming BGT, and when it resumes on Saturday, does not feel he’ll be in the right head space to continue.
‘All the judges and production crew are being hugely supportive.’
Cowell was seen yesterday afternoon in the back seat of a car in Blackpool, where he was holding auditions for Britain’s Got Talent before cancelling them at the last minute after hearing of the tragedy.
A spokesperson for Freemantle UK, the programme’s producer, announced they were halting auditions for the Britain’s Got Talent yesterday.
Waissel first took to X on Wednesday night to reveal her heartbreak at her friend’s death, writing: ‘My heart is completely torn to shreds right now, I am at an absolute loss for words.
‘If Simon Cowell dare put a statement out on the heart wrenching, tragic loss of my dear and darling friend Liam, he would be a fool. We all know the truth… and I’ll be sure it all comes out.’
She later released a long statement in which she described Payne as ‘my confidant and my rock’, before turning her focus to her views on the state of the music industry.
‘Liam was kind, with a pure heart, a sharp mind, and the wisdom of an old soul. His warmth and compassion left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,’ Waissel wrote.
Liam’s first ever X Factor audition in 2008, when he was just 14
Waissel first took to X on Wednesday night to reveal her heartbreak at her friend’s death
She later released a long statement in which she described Payne as ‘ my confidant and my rock’, before turning her focus to her views on the state of the music industry’
Cowell, 65, was a judge on X Factor and signed One Direction to his music label, Syco after their stint on the show in 2010 (Pictured left to right: Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan)
‘His tragic passing not only leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those who loved him but also serves as a painful reminder of the systemic neglect that persists in the industry.
‘There are those who had a responsibility to provide the care and support necessary for the well-being of young artists, but too often, the focus remained on profits rather than the people.
‘This industry has treated talent like commodities, and the negligence of duty of care has once again led to a heart-wrenching loss. We need only look at Simon Cowell’s recent interview with Steven Bartlett, where he admits his greatest regret was not owning the band’s name.’
‘The real regret should be the failure to prioritize the emotional and physical welfare of the artists who put their trust in these institutions. Contracts, whether they are for television shows or record deals, come with a legal and moral duty of care that must be upheld.’
Waissel said her heart ‘breaks’ for Payne’s family and she felt ‘so deeply sorry for all that you went through’.
She added: ‘The change the industry so desperately needs will come, and we will honor your legacy until it does. Keep singing in the sky, my friend. With all my love, Katie.’
Rebecca Ferguson, who also appeared on X Factor in 2010 alongside Payne and Waissel, has previously shared her views that the music industry is hiding ‘awful human rights abuses’ and claimed that she has endured ‘systematic misogyny and bullying’ throughout her career.
Today the singer released her own tribute to Payne on X, writing: ‘It’s always a hotel room! We both met at Euston station and shared the taxi together to X factor, young, innocent and unaffected by fame.
Liam giving an interview on X Factor when he was aged 14
Ferguson, who also appeared on X Factor in 2010 alongside Payne and Waissel, also shared her views on X
Rebecca Ferguson, who also appeared on X Factor in 2010 alongside Payne and Waissel, also intervened today
‘I can’t help but think of that boy who was hopeful and looking forward to his bright future ahead. If he hadn’t jumped on that train and jumped in that taxi I believe he would be alive today.
‘I’ve spoken for years about the exploitation and profiteering of young stars and the effects – many of us are still living with the aftermath and the PTSD [post traumatic stress disorder].
‘Many of us are devastated and reflective today as it has finally taken its first victim. Rest in Peace Liam, I hope you find peace on the other side and love to your mum and family x.’
Meanwhile, former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne has admitted, ‘We all let you down’, as she declared the industry failed to support Payne in his struggles.
Sharing a snap of Liam, she wrote: ‘Liam, my heart aches. We all let you down. Where was this industry when you needed them?
‘You were just a kid when you entered one of the toughest industries in the world. Who was in your corner? Rest in peace my friend.’
The wife of rockstar Ozzy Osbourne appeared on the X Factor judging panel from 2004 to 2007, before returning in 2013, 2016 and 2017 and also appeared on America’s Got Talent between 2007 and 2012.
Yet she confirmed she would never return to the show as due to the damage it can cause stars.
‘We all let you down’: Sharon Osbourne has claimed the music industry failed to support Liam Payne after his former X Factor mentor Simon Cowell found himself in the firing line
In her post she said her ‘heart aches’ for the star following his tragic death
She added that Liam was ‘just a kid’ when he rose to fame in the ‘tough’ industry
Sharon’s tribute comes after Simon found himself in the firing line from former X Factor stars Katie Waissel and Rebecca Ferguson (Liam pictured auditioning on X Factor in 2010)
During an interview on Greatest Hits Radio she previously explained: ‘As far as talent shows go, and I’ve been away from it for a while, it was kind of like the Wild West.
‘You didn’t really know the importance and what it does to people’s lives and as far as I’m concerned, the whole thing needs to be changed.
‘As well as giving people, a lot of people, opportunities with their careers it can also damage a lot of people too. You have to be very, very careful.
‘You’re handling people’s lives, you’ve got their future in your hands and it’s not anything to laugh at.’
Payne’s family has described feeling ‘heartbroken’ by his tragic and untimely death, adding that the former One Direction star will ‘forever live in our hearts’.
His relatives said in an emotional statement: ‘We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.
‘We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.’
Payne’s uncle Roger Harris also told MailOnline: ‘We are all just deeply saddened and trying to come to terms with it. I just hope everybody gives them some privacy really and allows them to come to terms with it. That’s all I can say.’
One Direction are seen here at an HMV store in Manchester in March 2011 – left to right: Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan
Tributes have been left for Liam Payne at the hotel where he died in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Another relative speaking at Payne’s family home in Wolverhampton told MailOnline: ‘We are utterly devastated by the news.’
It comes as The Mail revealed that Liam had been dropped by his record label Universal Music just days before his death.
On Thursday, Universal Music Group posted an image of Liam Payne on Instagram saying they were ‘devastated’ about his death.
MailOnline has contacted Syco for comment.