Maya Henry Opens Up About Her Tumultuous Relationship With Liam Payne

In a deeply emotional and candid statement, Maya Henry, the ex-fiancée of late One Direction singer Liam Payne, has broken her silence about their relationship and the struggles they faced together. Payne, who tragically passed away on October 16, 2024, at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, had a complex and often turbulent relationship with Henry, which she has now detailed in a new interview with Rolling Stone.

Henry, a 24-year-old model and author, spoke openly about the challenges she faced during her on-and-off relationship with Payne, which spanned from 2018 to 2022. She revealed that Payne’s struggles with addiction and drug use were at the core of their difficulties, ultimately leading to their separation.

“It was the drug use and addictions that tore us apart.“

“This was someone I loved very much,” Henry wrote in her statement. “Initially, it was the drug use and addictions that tore us apart. Anyone who has been with an addict understands how difficult that is.”

Payne’s death shocked fans around the world, and a toxicology report released in November 2024 revealed that he had traces of alcohol, cocaine, and prescription antidepressants in his system at the time of his death. Henry reflected on how Payne’s behavior changed when he was under the influence, describing him as “someone unrecognizable — so different from his sober self.”

She recounted how she had hoped that each incident would serve as a wake-up call for Payne to seek help, but it never was. “I tried to be there for him. I loved him so much that I convinced myself I could fix things,” she said. She continued saying, “I put myself in situations that were unsafe and harmful, ignoring every red flag because I didn’t want to give up on him.”

The Realization That Love Couldn’t Save Him: Liam Payne Ex-Fiancée Maya Henry Breaks Silence

Henry also shared that Payne’s struggles extended beyond addiction, touching on parts of his identity that he wasn’t ready to face. “I knew there were parts of himself he was struggling with — parts of his identity he wasn’t ready to fully face, even within our relationship,” she said. “In the end, it wasn’t just the betrayals or the addictions that broke us — it was the realization that I had spent years in something that was never what I thought it was.”

Despite the pain and heartbreak, Henry expressed that she doesn’t fault Payne for his struggles. “I stood by him in his darkest moments, through the chaos, through the pain, through things that broke me in ways I can’t explain,” she said. “But in the end, I had to choose myself. I had to walk away, no matter how much it hurt, because staying in his world meant losing myself.”

The Aftermath of Betrayal and Grief

Henry’s statement also touched on the aftermath of Payne’s death, revealing that she continues to grapple with the consequences of his actions. She disclosed that Payne had shared intimate photos of her without her consent during their engagement, a violation that has left her feeling betrayed and hurt. “As I’ve uncovered the extent of his non-consensual image sharing, I’m faced with the complexity of grieving for someone I cared so deeply about despite the pain they have caused me,” she said.

The model’s revelations come months after the release of her novel, Looking Forward, which is based on the “true events” of her relationship with a pop star. In the book, the protagonist, Mallory, endures an abusive relationship with a singer named Oliver Smith, who struggles with addiction and infidelity. Henry has confirmed that many of the scenes in the book were inspired by her real-life experiences with Payne.

In a May 2024 interview with People, Henry discussed how her own experience with an abortion mirrored that of her fictional character. She revealed that she underwent the procedure during her relationship with Payne, a decision she made for the sake of their relationship. “If it were up to me, I wouldn’t have done it,” she said. “But then also, if I were to have made a different decision, then I would’ve lost the person that I loved.”

A Story of Resilience and Healing

Henry’s statement marks the first time she has spoken publicly about Payne’s death, and it offers a poignant glimpse into the complexities of loving someone who is battling addiction. Her words serve as a reminder of the toll that addiction can take on relationships and the importance of prioritizing one’s own well-being in the face of such challenges.

As the world continues to mourn the loss of Liam Payne, Henry’s story sheds light on the darker aspects of his life and the impact his struggles had on those who loved him. Her courage in sharing her experiences serves as a powerful testament to the strength it takes to walk away from a toxic situation and the resilience required to heal in its aftermath.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

You may also like: Matthew Perry’s Death Investigation Shows Concerning Results