Former One Direction star Liam Payne’s funeral hasn’t happened yet and he’s become the subject of an ABC special, to air today on Hulu, called Liam Payne’s Final Days.
The tagline of the special reads: ‘Drugs, a trashed hotel room, and a deadly fall: How One Direction’s Liam Payne tragically died. The boy band singer’s sudden death sparked renewed questions about the dark side of fame. How did the 31-year-old’s brilliant star fade so dramatically?’
The Disney-owned streamer Hulu will exclusively air the IMPACT x Nightline special by ABC News Studios eight days after Payne fell to his death from the third floor of his Buenos Aires hotel room.
While Payne’s family and friends grieve – with his father in Argentina, and toxicology investigations still ongoing – the special will air interviews with ‘those close to Payne’.
Interviewees in the special include fellow X Factor contestant Mary Byrne, who was on the show in 2016 when Payne joined One Direction with Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.
It will also feature interviews with Dr. Azadeh Aalai, One Direction fan Natalie Barada and ABC News contributors Chris Connelly, Kelley Carter and Megan Ryte, according to Variety.
Many people took offence at the news though, as they took to social media to slam the announcement.
‘Wow. Why do we need that?’ commented @Frozenf00d, while @IamBluPearl said: ‘I don’t even believe the family has buried this man yet but yet ABC News wants to do a special.’
‘Wow disgusting, but anything in order to gain profit I guess. even exploiting such an horrific death,’ added @millycam.
‘It’s been one week,’ said @Krysten2828, as @joe_teffo said: ‘He is not buried yet and y’all are ready to profit off him. It’s sickening.’
@Cail0n__Oh agreed: ‘Oh that’s morbid af, mans not even buried.’
Seriously? That’s disgusting,’ added @blondelena, while @maddysleeep said: ‘this is complete and utter garbage. evil, corporate greed.’
‘What happened to shame?’ began @HeyItsDivyansha, adding: ‘This is incredibly disrespectful. The funeral hasn’t even taken place and y’all are working towards ways to monetize this tragedy?’
Payne died on October 16 at the age of 31. Since, the music industry, family, his girlfriend and friends – as well as his former One Direction bandmates – have all paid tribute to him, remembering the singer as a ‘kind’ person.
Fans have held vigils across the world to mourn Payne, with many sobbing at the news and laying down flowers, candles and cards.
Although initial toxicology reports have been released, final results are not expected to be made public for some weeks. The singer’s body will stay in Argentina for now as investigations continue.
Several sources have informed various outlets that a concoction of drugs was found in the singer’s system at the time of his death.
Payne found stratospheric fame aged just 16 when he joined One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Naill Horan on the X Factor in 2010.
In the days after Payne’s death, a light has been shone on the mental health pressures put on those in the entertainment world.
A petition is now calling for legislation to ‘safeguard artists’ mental health in the entertainment industry’ with nearly 40,000 people signing over the weekend.
Payne was previously open about his struggles with addiction and fame, telling The Sun in a 2017 interview: ‘Going out and putting that happy smile on my face and singing the songs, honestly, sometimes it was like putting on one of those costumes, going out there and, underneath the costume, people don’t really see what’s going on.’
One Direction was one of the biggest boy bands in the world, and with hits including What Makes You Beautiful, Story of My Life and Night Changes they sparked Beatles-like obsession among fans.
Metro has reached out to Disney, Hulu and ABC News for comment.