Backstreet Boys star AJ McLean not too long ago shared a heartfelt second that occurred simply someday earlier than the tragic passing of his pal, singer Liam Payne. McLean revealed that he felt compelled to achieve out to Payne after sensing one thing was improper, particularly as they hadn’t spoken for practically two weeks.
The 2 shaped a detailed bond throughout the filming of the upcoming Netflix collection “Constructing the Band,” the place they, together with Nicole Scherzinger and Kelly Rowland, labored carefully collectively for six weeks. Throughout the mission, Payne and McLean rapidly grew to become mates, with McLean describing their connection as a significant one constructed on shared experiences each on and off the set.
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AJ McLean’s issues got here to a head a day earlier than Liam Payne’s dying, prompting him to ship a check-in message after noticing their current lapse in communication.
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AJ McLean Texted Liam Payne The Day Earlier than His Passing
The 46-year-old Backstreet Boys member stated he reached out to Payne with a easy but heartfelt message: “Hey man, are you good?” in accordance with McLean’s current interview with the Los Angeles Times.
McLean shared with the publication that he felt the necessity to verify in with Payne after realizing they hadn’t spoken for practically two weeks. The 2 had developed a detailed friendship whereas working collectively on the upcoming Netflix collection, “Constructing the Band,” the place they bonded over shared struggles and life experiences.
The collection’ future stays unsure within the wake of Payne’s surprising passing.
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AJ McLean Recollects Talking ‘Candidly’ About Sobriety With The Late One Route Member

“[We spoke] candidly about sobriety, sharing tales and one-upping one another. We may giggle about all of it,” McLean mirrored. “As a result of for those who’re nonetheless there to speak about it, which means you’re transferring in a superb path.”
Final month, information emerged that the previous One Route singer tragically fell from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires, leading to his premature dying at age 31.
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AJ McLean Says Liam Payne Did not Reply To His Message

McLean stated he felt like a “very older brother” to Payne and needed to be there for him.
“I can torture my mind about ‘Why didn’t he reply?’ However I get it,” McLean continued. “I simply hope individuals bear in mind him the best way he was — a large coronary heart and a large expertise.”
As extra data emerges about Payne’s dying, McLean admitted he’s unsure if the world will ever absolutely perceive what the One Route singer was experiencing within the time main as much as his passing.
“I really feel like there’ll by no means be a definitive reply as to why this occurred. That’s essentially the most painful factor to take a seat with. Why now? Why this manner?” he revealed. “However there’s no rhyme or motive if you’re hurting and in search of escape.”
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AJ McLean Is Nonetheless Processing Liam Payne’s Loss of life

A preliminary post-mortem indicated that Payne sustained a number of “extreme” accidents from the autumn. Reviews additionally revealed the presence of gear in his system, together with “pink cocaine”—a mix of methamphetamine, ketamine, and MDMA—in addition to different medication.
“Liam was a pal. We had simply completed filming a TV present collectively,” McLean informed TMZ in October. “We spent six weeks collectively, and you recognize, it’s completely tragic. I’m nonetheless processing it, I’m certain in addition to his household and mates and bandmates. It’s completely tragic, and my ideas and prayers exit to everybody — the household, his bandmates, to the followers.
Liam Payne Reportedly Fainted Earlier than Deadly Fall in Buenos Aires

In line with Argentinian journalist Paula Varela, safety footage reportedly exhibits that Payne fainted earlier than unintentionally falling to his dying on October 16. Varela, showing on “Socios del Espectáculo” on Buenos Aires’ Canal 13, disclosed that CCTV captured Payne’s fatal fall together with the moments main as much as the tragic incident.
“There may be footage that’s not being launched to the media with the balcony scene the place you see that Liam faints, and tragically due to the place he’s, falls from that balcony. If he had been beside his mattress, he would have fallen on his mattress,” Varela stated on the present, per The Mirror. “It’s not that he jumped intentionally. This footage is within the official case recordsdata.”
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