AJ McLean contacted pal Liam Payne out of concern just 24 hours before his tragic death.
The Backstreet Boys member, 46, grew close to the One Direction member, 31, while the two were filming the upcoming Netflix series, “Building the Band,” in which Payne served as a guest judge and McLean hosted.
McLean told the Los Angeles Times that he and Payne bonded over their unique experiences as teen heartthrobs who later battled substance abuse. He told the outlet they talked almost every day on WhatsApp, even after the show wrapped.
However, Payne allegedly went radio silent on him in the weeks leading up to his death, prompting McLean to grow increasingly concerned over his friend’s wellbeing.
“Hey man, are you good?” McLean texted the “Strip That Down” singer on Oct. 15 — one day before his fatal fall.
Payne never replied.
Argentinian authorities believe the “For You” singer was unconscious when he fell from a third-floor hotel balcony. Security footage allegedly showed he fainted before tumbling over the railing.
An autopsy showed Payne had crack, benzodiazepine and “pink cocaine,” a mix of designer drugs, in his system at the time of his death.
“I feel like there will never be a definitive answer as to why this happened. That’s the most painful thing to sit with. Why now? Why this way?” McLean told the outlet Friday. “But there’s no rhyme or reason when you’re hurting and looking for escape.
“I can torture my brain about ‘Why didn’t he respond?’ But I get it. I just hope people remember him the way he was — a massive heart and a massive talent.”
McLean described Payne as “an absolute light” with “such an old soul.”
“But you could tell you were talking to someone who had seen some s—t, who had not lived a normal life,” he added.
The “Everybody” singer thought of himself as an “older brother” to Payne and believed his relapse was very recent.
McLean told the Times he does not believe Payne was using drugs while they were filming the competition series, which wrapped in August.
He said they often spoke “candidly about sobriety, sharing stories and one-upping each other. We could laugh about it all, because if you’re still there to talk about it, that means you’re moving in a good direction.”
Nearly a week after Payne’s shocking death, McLean told TMZ he couldn’t “fathom” losing his “friend.”
“We just finished filming a show together,” he told the outlet. “We spent six weeks together and it’s absolutely tragic. I’m still processing it.”
McLean, who celebrated three years of sobriety in September, noted that “addiction is a real thing.”
“I’ve been through it and, fortunately, I came out on the other end but I’m one of few,” he said.
In light of Payne’s death, “Building the Band” has been put on hold. The streaming giant reportedly plans to “sit down with Liam’s family when the time is right to speak about the series and when it could be released.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 800-662-4357.
