Maya Henry is Not the Only One Who is Getting Hate After Liam Payne’s Death as His Girlfriend Also Becomes the Victim of Toxic Fan Backlash

In a world where fame can be as sharp as a double-edged sword, the tragic news of Liam Payne’s passing at just 31 has hit like a ton of bricks. The former One Direction star’s life came to a sudden halt in Buenos Aires, Argentina, leaving fans stunned and heartbroken. To add salt to the wound, the social media storm has turned into a virtual hurricane of outrage directed at Maya Henry and Kate Cassidy—Payne’s ex and current girlfriend, respectively.

Liam Payne in the music video of Live Forever | Credits: Capitol

Just days before his untimely departure, Henry had dropped a bombshell, alleging that Payne had been trying to reach out to her incessantly. Now, she finds herself at the center of a digital firestorm, facing a torrent of online vitriol after revealing that the late singer often joked about “play[ing] with death” in his messages. But wait—Henry isn’t the only one getting heat. 

Cassidy is also feeling the wrath of a toxic fanbase, as grief and anger swirl around both women.

Kate Cassidy: Caught in the Storm of Fan Backlash Following Liam Payne’s Tragic End?

Just days before Liam Payne’s life took a heartbreaking turn in Buenos Aires, his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, decided to pack her bags and return to Florida. 

While the couple was enjoying their South American adventure, Cassidy revealed she was starting to feel a bit like a caged bird. In a TikTok update (via E! News), she shared, “I was so ready to leave. Love South America, but I hate staying in one place for too long,” as their five-day trip stretched into two weeks. 

So, what prompted this sudden desire to fly home? She summed it up simply:

I was just like, ‘I need to go home.’

Just before her flight, Cassidy dealt with a “weird rash” that she attributed to her travel anxiety. Meanwhile, Payne chose to stick around and soak in the sights, but fate had other plans. His story took a tragic turn when he fell from the third floor of his hotel, leaving everyone in shock—especially his girlfriend, who was among the last people to see him.

Kate Cassidy’s Instagram Story | Credit: Instagram @kateecass

In the wake of this devastating news, Cassidy recently took to Instagram Story to share her grief. In her emotional tribute, she expressed:

Thank you for all the kind words and love that has been sent my way. I have been at a complete loss. Nothing about the past few days has felt real.

However, the online response has been mixed. Some fans have thrown shade at her for leaving Payne before his death, while others have defended her, praising her for honoring her partner’s memory, as noted in a report by The Blast. 

For context, it’s worth noting that Payne was formerly engaged to Maya Henry and also has a son with his ex-girlfriend, Cheryl Cole.

Maya Henry Faces Backlash Amidst Tragedy: The Fallout from Liam Payne’s Passing

Maya Henry in The Internet is Dead podcast | Credit: YouTube/Screenshot

Liam Payne’s recent death has also cast a long shadow over his ex-girlfriend Maya Henry. Just days before the heartbreaking news, the latter took to social media to air her grievances, sharing that the late singer had been contacting her friends and family.

In a candid chat with Sameera Rachakonda and Brittany Deitch on The Internet is Dead podcast, Henry opened up about the extreme lengths Payne went to. She described his calls as being manipulative, saying:

I always felt like it was a manipulation tactic to keep me. I don’t know. It’s kind of complicated. But I always felt like it was so that I could continue to feel bad for him. And because he would always message me ever since we broke up, ‘Oh, I’m not well.’ He would always play with death and be like, ‘I’m gonna die. I’m not doing well.’

But just when it looked like things couldn’t get any more complicated, the tragic news of Payne’s death came crashing down. In the aftermath, Henry has found herself in the eye of a social media storm, facing an avalanche of criticism. A source told The Daily Mail that Henry only learned about Payne’s passing when a member of her team was contacted by a reporter. “Right now she is obviously in shock,” the source revealed.

As reported by Reuters, Liam Payne was found dead in the hotel’s inner courtyard in Buenos Aires. Argentine authorities indicated that he fell from the balcony of his third-floor room.