Simon Cowell Responds to People Blaming Him for Liam Payne's Death

Simon Cowell is addressing criticism and blame for the death of Liam Payne.

The 66-year-old music exec spoke out regarding some people blaming him for the passing of the One Direction star at the age of 31 last year.

Keep reading to find out more…

Simon was asked about criticism for not providing enough support to the band in an interview on the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast .

“I don’t read any of this stuff because if I did, you would just torture yourself,” he said.

“The idea that you are essentially responsible for somebody’s life, 10 years after you’ve signed someone? You can’t do that.”

When I heard the news, it really hit me. I saw him a year before this happened. He came over to my house. We talked about his son and being a dad. I remember saying, ‘Music is not everything. Don’t let it run your life anymore. Find something else that you are passionate about,’” he also said.

“You ask yourself that question: ‘Could I have done anything more?  What would’ve happened to Liam if he hadn’t been in the band?’ Having spoken to his mom and dad recently, all they kept telling me was he was so proud of what he had achieved. I wish I could turn back the clock, of course. When I spoke to him that day, I felt really good about him. I thought, ‘Wow, you seem in a really good place.’”

Simon not only created The X Factor, where Liam‘s band was first formed, but he signed the group to his Syco Records. Listen to the episode above.

Bandmate Louis Tomlinson also recently spoke out about Liam, and revealed where he was when he learned about Liam‘s death.