- - USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change.What Simon Cowell told ‘Next Act’ singers, parents after Payne’s death

Erin Jensen, USA TODAYDecember 10, 2025 at 12:01 AM

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While in pursuit of the next chart-topping boy band, Simon Cowell received devastating news.

Back in October of last year, the man who helped discover and launch acts like Fifth Harmony, Little Mix and One Direction learned of Liam Payne’s death during filming of Netflix’s six-part docuseries “Simon Cowell: The Next Act” (now streaming). Payne, along with his fellow 1D members − Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson – entered UK’s “The X Factor” competition as solo acts. As individuals, the singers were eliminated but placed third in the 2010 season after being grouped.

They went on to sell millions of records worldwide as one of the biggest boy bands of their era, thanks to catchy tunes like “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Story of My Life,” before announcing an indefinite hiatus in 2016. (Malik departed the group the year prior.) On Oct. 16, 2024, 31-year-old Payne fell from a balcony while staying at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina and died from his injuries.

Six days later, Cowell sat for “The Next Act” cameras, visibly shattered with his head in his hands. “It’s hard, you know?” Cowell, 66, mustered. “When I call his mum and dad and just thinking, ‘God, How do you cope with that?’”

Simon Cowell reveals his final conversation with Liam Payne

Cowell remembers the ‘sweet, humble’ Payne, will 'genuinely miss him'

Cowell remembers Payne as “a sweet, humble boy” who “always had a sparkle in his eye.” “Everyone adored him,” he adds. “You just don’t know how you feel about someone until you lose them, you know? And whoa. We’re just going to miss him – genuinely miss him.”

Cameras capture Cowell leaving his family home to take a much-needed break. “I don’t know if I can do anything for a while,” he says. “I need to just go away somewhere on my own and just think.”

When Cowell reunites with his family, he embraces his 11-year-old son Eric, whom he shares with fiancée Lauren Silverman.

“I’ve thought a lot about things when I was away, and if this was Eric, what would I do?” Cowell says. “That has really, really been on my mind.”

Simon Cowell poses with partner Lauren Silverman and their son, Eric Cowell, at the finale of "America's Got Talent" Season 18 on Sept. 27, 2023 in Pasadena, California.

“I know the pressure, the stress that comes with being in a band. It’s gigantic,” he adds. “Being in the music business, it was tough 10 years ago, 20 years ago. I would argue now it’s even more stressful.”

So Cowell is inspired to meet with the contestants and their parents to talk about the challenges of fame and provide more guidance for what awaits participants. “These are young kids. If we’re going to do this, then they are the priority,” Cowell says. “I want to look them in the eyes and say, ‘Do you really want to sign up to this?’”

Cowell warns parents and young singers about fame: ‘Your life changes. There is no privacy.’

In their meeting, Cowell acknowledges, “There’s so much that’s happened since we met.”

“I lost a friend recently, which has been really, really tough,” he continues. “It’s been s---. And there was a moment, I’m not going to lie, when I first got the news, where I’m like, ‘I’m not sure we should do this.’”

But Cowell says he remembered the conversations he had with the aspiring singers, informing them that they’d progressed in the competition. “I want you to have this opportunity,” he decides. “The commitment is huge. If you commit, you commit. And there’s a lot to think about.”

Simon Cowell with members of One Direction at the premiere of "One Direction This Is Us" on Aug. 20, 2013 in London, England. From left: Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Cowell, Harry Styles and Liam Payne

Cowell then opens the discussion up to questions, assuring attendees he’ll answer anything. Hendrik, 18 at the time of filming, inquires about dealing with criticism.

“There are going to be things that are written about you that aren’t true, which are frustrating, things that are said about you that are frustrating,” Cowell says. “Sometimes you can answer back. Often you can’t. If you’ve decided that music is your career, what comes with it is huge. And you’ve got to have really thick skin to get through it.”

A parent wonders how Cowell would advise Eric if he were in their sons’ shoes.

“My first question would be, honestly, ‘Do I really, really believe my son can deal with what comes when you become well-known?’” Cowell responds. “Basically, your life changes. There is no privacy. But they’re going to be looked after. I’ve always prided myself that I do care about people I work with; I mean, genuinely care. And if we’re going to go forward with the boys, it will be with my absolute belief and support. If you have concerns about anything, call me.”

In a touching gesture, the episode is dedicated to the late singer. “In loving memory of Liam Payne 1993 – 2024,” reads a chyron shown at the conclusion, followed by a photo of Payne smiling.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Simon Cowell’s ‘The Next Act’ dedicates episode to Liam Payne

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