Simon Cowell makes surprising remark about Liam Payne’s death

Simon Cowell is reflecting on Liam Payne’s death, the duo’s final conversation and the TV personality being blamed for the latter’s death.

The X Factor judge has been the target of netizens hate over the fact that he put too much pressure on the beloved boy band, One Direction, and failed to support them properly after its formation and linking these things to the father-of-one’s death.

In an episode of the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast the 66-year-old talked about the unfairness of the allegations, and how he tunes them out.

“I don’t read any of this stuff because if I did, you would just torture yourself, the idea that you are essentially responsible for somebody’s life, 10 years after you’ve signed someone? You can’t do that,” Simon stated.

The music executive also remarked on the last conversation he had with Liam, which came a year prior to his passing in 2024.

I remember saying, ‘Music is not everything. Don’t let it run your life anymore. Find something else that you are passionate about,” he recalled of the conversation, “You ask yourself that question: ‘Could I have done anything more?'”

Notably, Simon said that him and the late singer talked about fatherhood and their sons, which is likely what he hinted him to shift his focus toward.

What is Simon Cowell's illness?

Simon reportedly suffers from depression and has gone to therapy to combat the symptoms of the mental health issue.

RELATED: Louis Tomlinson opens up about Liam Payne after his death in emotional statement