Maya Henry is reflecting on her tumultuous relationship with the late Liam Payne, sharing her personal insights following his tragic death at 31 years old.
In a new interview with Rolling Stone, the model and author, 24, broke her silence regarding Payne’s passing on October 16, 2024, after he fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Henry, who had been in an on-again, off-again relationship with the former One Direction member from 2018 to 2022, spoke candidly about Payne’s battles with addiction and the toll it took on their relationship.
“This was someone I loved very much,” Henry wrote, reflecting on her relationship with Payne. “Initially, it was the drug use and addictions that tore us apart. Anyone who has been with an addict understands how difficult that is.”
A toxicology report released by authorities in November revealed that at the time of his death, Payne had alcohol, cocaine, and prescription antidepressants in his system.
Henry described the devastating impact of Payne’s addiction on their relationship. “While I loved him deeply, he did things that hurt me in ways I’ll never fully understand, and he continued to hurt me years after we broke up,” Henry shared. “On drugs, he became someone unrecognizable — so different from his sober self.”
In the interview, Henry revealed how she struggled to reconcile her love for Payne with the destructive patterns in their relationship. “I kept hoping each incident would be a wake-up call for him to get help, but it never was. I tried to be there for him. I loved him so much that I convinced myself I could fix things,” she said.
The model explained that her emotional journey through the relationship involved a series of heartbreaking realizations. “I found myself in many ‘unsafe and harmful’ situations and ignored every red flag along the way,” she admitted. “I knew there were parts of himself he was struggling with — parts of his identity he wasn’t ready to fully face, even within our relationship.”
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Henry also expressed that the ultimate breakdown of their relationship was not just due to his addiction or betrayals, but the painful realization that the love they shared was never what she thought it was. “In the end, it wasn’t just the betrayals or the addictions that broke us — it was the realization that I had spent years in something that was never what I thought it was. I don’t fault him for his struggles,” she said.
Henry and Payne’s relationship was marked by several ups and downs. The two were first spotted together in August 2018, officially confirming their relationship in September 2019. They became engaged in 2020 but broke up in June 2021. Despite their separation, the couple reconciled later that year before ultimately parting ways for good in 2022.
In May 2024, Henry spoke to People about the emotional toll of her relationship with Payne and her efforts to forgive him. “I definitely chose to forgive a lot of things,” Henry said at the time. “When you love someone so much, you have those rose-colored glasses. You’re in denial, so you think those things will stop, and they don’t, and that just becomes an issue among other issues.”
In addition to her personal reflections, Henry also shared her experiences in her debut novel, Looking Forward, a fictionalized account inspired by the true events of her relationship with Payne. The book touches on the struggles she faced while navigating the complexities of being involved with someone in the public eye and dealing with personal issues like addiction.
Henry’s emotional statement and candid reflections come after the announcement of Payne’s death in October 2024, which shocked fans and those who knew him. While Payne’s passing has left a void in the music industry, Henry’s memories of their time together reflect both the love they shared and the painful struggles that ultimately led to their breakup.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, resources are available. The SAMHSA helpline can provide support at 1-800-662-HELP.
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