One Direction’s management team is under scrutiny after Liam Payne’s death, including Simon Cowell who was long considered the lead manager for the band

The X-Factor’s Katie Waissel warned Simon Cowell not to put out a statement after the death of One Direction’s Liam Payne.

Liam died after a lengthy struggle with alcohol addiction and mental health issues. He fell from the third floor of a hotel in Argentina on Oct. 16 with a 9-1-1 caller claiming he was “on drugs.” In the past, Liam was candid about his substance abuse, pointing fingers at the hotel mini-bars he had access to at a young age while touring with One Direction, noting they were often secluded to their rooms while traveling.

Katie reacted to the news with heavy emotion, calling out the band’s former manager. She wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “The tragic loss of my dear friend Liam Payne highlights the urgent need for change in the music industry. Im calling for an immediate investigation into SyCo Entertainment for negligence and breach of duty of care. Artists are not commodities, and their wellbeing must be prioritised. We need new laws to protect the safety and mental health of all in the industry. NO MORE PROFIT OVER PEOPLE. Let Liams story spark the reform we desperately need.”

Simon became the longterm manager for One Direction after the group came in third on the X-Factor. His company, SyCo Entertainment, and another, Modest! Management, became the main brains behind the operation, tasked with organizing business aspects of the band and facilitating much of their day-to-day career moves.

Katie added in another post: “We need only look at Simon Cowells recent interview with Steven Bartlett, where he admits his greatest regret was not owning the bands name. The real regret should be the failure to prioritize the emotional and physical welfare of the artists who put their trust in these institutions. Contracts, whether they are for television shows or record deals, come with a legal and moral duty of care that must be upheld.”

She said: “His tragic passing not only leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those who loved him but also serves as a painful reminder of the systemic neglect that persists in the industry.”

Katie and One Direction competed on the same season of the reality show. She, along with other former X-Factor stars like Rebecca Ferguson, have made claims of abuse in the music industry. Rebecca also reacted to the news of her co-stars death. She wrote: “It’s always a hotel room. We both met at Euston station and shared the taxi together to X factor, young, innocent, and unaffected by fame.

I can’t help but think of that boy who was hopeful and looking forward to his bright future ahead. If he hadn’t jumped on that train and jumped in that taxi I believe he would be alive today. I’ve spoken for years about the exploitation and profiteering of young stars and the effects – many of us are still living with the aftermath and the PTSD. Many of us are devastated and reflective today as it has finally taken its first victim.”

The Mirror contacted a representative for Simon Cowell for comment.

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