Robbie Williams has signalled that there will be change in the music industry following the shock death of Liam Payne.
The music world was shocked last month when One Direction star Liam fell to his death from the third floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the age of 31. The news of his death sparked headlines around the world and saw fans gather together to share their grief.
A petition was launched by one fan to encourage a new law to support emerging artists and their mental health – a sentiment Liam himself had signalled he thought was necessary before his death. The petition initially set out to attract just 12,000 signatures but swiftly drew over 100,000 – reaching a threshold that means the motion should be discussed by ministers in parliament.
Former Take That star Robbie, 50, has now expressed his own belief that Liam’s death could lead to a change in the entertainment industry. He has also signalled he will willingly support any changes that could help protect the lives of others in the industry.
He told Newstalk: “I’m sure things will be done in his na
me to make things better. What they are, I don’t know yet, but I’m in,” he began. “It’s very difficult [and a] grey area to put things into place, to look after people properly. I know there are talks about what to do and how to facilitate this, but [that] comes with already having money in place.
“That negates the young manager and the young band that are doing everything out the back of a Transit van – who don’t have the money in place to facilitate it. So there’s all of these grey areas. It needs addressing and there needs to be a think tank by creative people, like myself and others to get together and figure out what’s the best way to tackle this problem for our entertainment industry.
“Everybody on the planet right now is neurodiverse, has been through trauma, is struggling to come to terms with their childhood or struggling to come to terms with their place in the world and yeah, it’s very difficult. It’s weird times, but it’s really interesting times to be alive too.”
Liam is expected to be laid to rest in the coming days – almost a month after his lethal fall. Argentinian authorities have been investigating his death and have made arrests including a hotel worker who may have supplied the singer with drugs before his death.
Following the death of the star, a Change.org campaign was launched which has vowed: “In recent news of Liam Payne’s tragic death as many others, the entertainment industry needs to be held accountable and be responsible to the welfare of their artists. We seek to implore lawmakers to create legislation safeguarding the mental health of artists within the industry.”
