Simon Cowell responds to claims hes responsible for Liam Paynes tragic death

Simon Cowell is setting the record straight.The “American Idol” alum, 66, responded to claims that some people think he is to blame for Liam Payne’s death in October 2024.The singer died at age 31 after falling off a hotel balcony in Argentina.Some critics have accused Cowell of putting too much pressure on One Direction and not lending support when they became famous.

“I don’t read any of this stuff because if I did, you would just torture yourself,” the music executive said while on the “Rolling Stone Music Now” podcast.“The idea that you are essentially responsible for somebody’s life, 10 years after you’ve signed someone? You can’t do that.”Cowell first met Payne on “The X Factor” in 2010.

He rejected him from the show when he initially auditioned at just 14.Cowell later put Payne together with Zayn Malik, 32; Harry Styles, 31; Niall Horan, 32; and Louis Tomlinson, 33; to form One Direction.The group placed third on Season 7, but soon became a world wide sensation.The band put out five studio albums, went on four world tours and won a multitude of awards.Cowell told “Rolling Stone” that it “really hit me” when he found out about Payne’s passing.The last time the British media mogul saw the late star was a year prior to his death.During their time together, the pals spoke about fatherhood.

Cowell is dad to son Eric, 11, with fiancée Lauren Silverman.Payne shared son Bear, 8, with ex Cheryl.

“I remember saying, ‘Music is not everything.Don’t let it run your life anymore.

Find something else that you are passionate about,’” Cowell recounted telling his former protegee.“You ask yourself that question: ‘Could I have done anything more? What would’ve happened to Liam if he hadn’t been in the band?’”Cowell has also stayed in contact with Payne’s parents, Geoff and Karen.The grieving couple relayed that their son had been “so proud of what he had achieved.”“I wish I could turn back the clo...