• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Petition calling for new law hits almost 24,000 signatures following the death of Liam Payne

Home> Music> News

Published 10:52 21 Oct 2024 GMT+1

Petition calling for new law hits almost 24,000 signatures following the death of Liam Payne

Liam Payne's passing at the age of 31 has sparked calls for better mental health care in the entertainment industry

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck

A petition to create a new law to protect artists' mental health following the death of Liam Payne has garnered more than 24,000 signatures.

The One Direction star passed away on October 16 after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Payne previously described his rapid rise to fame as 'a little bit toxic' in a 2019 interview with Men's Health Australia. He had been open with his struggle with alcohol, and last year spent 100 days in rehab, telling fans on YouTube he was worried he was becoming 'somebody who I didn’t really recognize anymore'.

Advert

Sharon Osbourne, a former judge on British talent show The X Factor on which Payne first rose to fame, addressed the 31-year-old's passing questioning where the 'industry' was when he 'needed them'.

Osbourne continued in a post to Instagram: "Liam, my heart aches. We all let you down. [...] You were just a kid when you entered one of the toughest industries in the world. Who was in your corner?"

And a petition has since been launched on Change.org to raise awareness of the 'enormous pressure' the entertainment industry - 'acclaimed for its glamour and stardom' - 'exerts on the mental health of artists'.

Advert

It reads: "Resultant issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, substance misuse and even suicide are alarmingly high.

"According to research, performers are two-three times more likely to suffer from these issues compared to the general population."

Liam Payne rose to fame as a teenager on The X Factor (Getty Images/ Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage)
Liam Payne rose to fame as a teenager on The X Factor (Getty Images/ Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage)

The petition argues in light of Payne's 'tragic death' alongside 'many others' the industry 'needs to be held accountable and be responsible to the welfare of their artists'.

Advert

It continues: "We seek to implore lawmakers to create legislation safeguarding the mental health of artists within the industry.

"Such a law would necessitate regular mental health check-ups, adequate rest periods, and the presence of mental health professionals on-set, including any ongoing support during their career.

"It will ensure a healthier, safer, and more conducive working environment for artists to cultivate their talents reducing psychological distress.

Liam Payne died last week (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Liam Payne died last week (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Advert

"This would also include early interventions to protect and minimise before it's too late. Furthermore, the increasing rate of musicians who die before the age of 35, is concerning. We need to act now!

"The artist's role is invaluable not just in the world of entertainment but also in society. Let us ensure their protection and wellbeing.

"Your signature could be a lifeline for these talented individuals, contributing to a larger movement of mental health awareness and care in industries worldwide. Please, sign the petition. #LiamsLaw."

The petition has reached over 24,000 signatures at the time of writing, its next goal set at 25,000.

Advert

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.

Featured Image Credit: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for GBK Brand Bar/Gareth Cattermole/MTV EMAs 2017/Getty Images for MTV

Topics: Celebrity, Liam Payne, Mental Health, Music, Sharon Osbourne

Poppy Bilderbeck
Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

18 hours ago
2 days ago
5 days ago
  • BBC
    18 hours ago

    Chilling clip shows John Lennon read a letter from psychic over a decade before his murder predicting his death

    Lennon was gunned down my Mark David Chapman in 1980

    Music
  • Lorne Thomson/Redferns
    2 days ago

    Country star Zach Bryan slams ICE in new song lyrics amid increase of raids

    He's not the only star to have publicly condemned increasing ICE raids

    Music
  • Paramount Plus
    2 days ago

    Ozzy Osbourne's 'forgotten' daughter Aimee opens up about 'traumatizing' moments in his final years

    Aimee Osbourne has shared Ozzy's pain in his final years

    Music
  • DCG/Kirk Weddle
    5 days ago

    Nirvana wins lawsuit for second time after man claims notable album cover promotes child sexual abuse

    Elden Spencer's lawsuit has been dismissed for a second time

    Music
  • Niall Horan shares tribute to former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne following his death aged 31
  • Rita Ora breaks down in tears at MTV EMAs as she honors friend Liam Payne following his death
  • Sharon Osbourne pays tribute to Liam Payne as she claims the industry 'let him down’
  • Simon Cowell pays tribute to Liam Payne following singer's death aged 31