AJ McLean disclosed that he had a heartfelt conversation with Liam Payne a day before his tragic fall on October 16. The Backstreet Boys star reached out to check on Payne, discussing sobriety and sharing personal stories. McLean emphasized their bond, expressing sorrow over Payne’s untimely death after confronting mental health challenges. He reflected on the deep impact of Payne’s loss, acknowledging the mix of substances found in Payne’s system and the perpetual questions surrounding the tragedy. McLean hoped for Payne to be remembered for his kindness and talent.
AJ McLean a révélé avoir eu une conversation sincère avec Liam Payne un jour avant sa chute tragique le 16 octobre. Le membre des Backstreet Boys a pris contact pour s’enquérir de l’état de Payne, abordant la sobriété et partageant des histoires personnelles. McLean a souligné leur lien et a exprimé sa douleur face à la perte prématurée de Payne, confronté à des problèmes de santé mentale. Il a réfléchi à l’impact profond de cette perte, reconnaissant le mélange de substances retrouvé dans le corps de Payne et les questions persistantes entourant cette tragédie. McLean espérait que Payne soit remembered pour sa gentillesse et son talent.
AJ McLean disclosed that he had a conversation with Liam Payne just a day prior to his tragic passing on October 16.
In an interview, the 46-year-old Backstreet Boys member recounted how he texted the One Direction star, asking: ‘Hey man, are you good?’
“We talked openly about sobriety, exchanging stories and joking with each other. We could find humor in it all,” shared McLean, who has faced his own battles with substance abuse. He reached out to Payne, who fell from a balcony at his hotel in Argentina, after they hadn’t connected for almost two weeks. “If you’re still able to talk about it, it indicates you’re heading in a positive direction.”
McLean expressed his inner turmoil, saying, “I can beat myself up about ‘Why didn’t he reply?’ But I understand,” adding that he had grown close to Payne during their work on the upcoming Netflix project Build the Band. “I just hope people remember him for who he truly was — a person with a huge heart and immense talent.”
The singer described his relationship with Payne as an ‘older brother’ role, emphasizing his desire to guide him through personal struggles. “He was such a bright light, an old soul,” McLean reflected on the late artist, who was open about his mental health challenges. “You could sense he had experienced a lot and didn’t have an ordinary life.”
As previously mentioned, Payne’s initial autopsy report indicated he sustained multiple “severe” injuries and had a combination of drugs in his system, including pink cocaine, a blend of methamphetamine, ketamine, and MDMA.
“I feel like there may never be a clear reason for why this occurred. That’s the most painful thought to dwell on. Why now? Why in this manner?” he lamented regarding the shocking loss. “But when you’re in pain and searching for an escape, there’s often no logic to it.”
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McLean had previously expressed enthusiasm about forging a deeper connection with Payne during their stint on the television series.
“Liam was a friend. We had just wrapped filming a TV show together,” McLean told TMZ in October. “We spent six weeks together, and this is truly heartbreaking. I’m still coming to terms with it, just like his family and friends are. It’s a profoundly tragic situation, and my thoughts and prayers are with everyone — the family, his bandmates, and the fans.
The father of two has shared his feelings of gratitude for being in a healthier place after numerous rehab experiences over the years.
‘I feel humbled,’ he expressed in late September. ‘I’m grateful. It’s still one day at a time, and it’s an ongoing journey for me — and that’s perfectly fine. I have experienced a significant transformation over the last few months that those who have known me through better and worse can clearly see. It’s nice to be acknowledged as who I am, Alex, rather than just AJ, the Backstreet Boy. I’m in a particularly serendipitous period of my life, and I’m very thankful. Having lost 12 friends over the years, if sharing my journey can help even one person, I’ll feel I’ve done my part.’
The Los Angeles Times also conducted an interview with McLean.
AJ McLean a révélé qu’il avait parlé avec Liam Payne un jour avant sa tragique disparition le mercredi 16 octobre.
Lors d’un entretien, le membre des Backstreet Boys, âgé de 46 ans, a texté le chanteur de One Direction : « Ça va, mec ? »
« [Nous avons discuté] ouvertement de sobriété, partageant des histoires et nous surpassant les uns les autres. Nous pouvions en rire », a déclaré McLean, qui a lutté contre des problèmes d’abus de substances, notant qu’il avait voulu joindre Payne, tombé de son balcon à son hôtel en Argentine, car ils n’avaient pas parlé depuis près de deux semaines. « Parce que si tu es encore là pour en parler, cela signifie que tu es en train d’avancer dans la bonne direction.