Wait. People are still arguing about this? Even now, months after that horrific day in Buenos Aires, the internet is still tearing apart the private life of a man who isn’t here to speak for himself. It’s messy. It’s complicated. Honestly, it’s a bit heartbreaking when you look at the sheer volume of speculation.
The question liam payne is gay has trended more times than I can count. Most of it started as typical "Larry Stylinson" era leftovers—that intense, sometimes obsessive fan culture where every One Direction member was analyzed for "clues." But lately, especially following a massive investigative piece by Rolling Stone in early 2025, the conversation has shifted from fan fiction to some pretty heavy allegations about Liam’s internal life.
The Bombshell Claims from 2025
Let’s get into the weeds of what actually came out. After Liam's passing in October 2024, the media didn't just stop at the tragedy. They went deeper. Rolling Stone published a report that cited multiple sources claiming Liam "wrestled with his sexual identity" for years.
One source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, was blunt. They said, "Liam struggled with his sexuality." The report even alleged that during his on-again, off-again relationship with Maya Henry, he was "sexting men."
Now, Maya Henry herself hasn’t come out and said "Liam was gay" in a definitive way. But she’s dropped some massive breadcrumbs. In her 2024 novel Looking Forward—which she admits is heavily inspired by their real-life relationship—the character based on Liam is depicted as someone with deep identity crises. In interviews, she’s mentioned he was struggling with parts of himself he wasn't ready to face.
Does that mean he was gay? Not necessarily. Sexuality is a spectrum, and the "labels" we try to slap on people often fail to capture the reality of what someone is feeling.
The "Both Ways" Controversy
Remember 2019? Liam released a track called "Both Ways."
The lyrics were... well, they were a choice.
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"My girl, she like it both ways / She like the way it all taste."
At the time, the LGBTQ+ community wasn't exactly thrilled. He was accused of fetishizing bisexuality. People felt he was using "queerbaiting" tactics to sell records without actually being part of the community. Looking back at it now through the lens of these new reports, it feels different. Was he trying to signal something? Or was it just a poorly written pop song?
A History of High-Profile Relationships
If you look at his public record, Liam’s life was defined by women.
- Danielle Peazer: The X Factor dancer he dated for years.
- Sophia Smith: His childhood friend.
- Cheryl Cole: The mother of his son, Bear.
- Maya Henry: His ex-fiancée.
- Kate Cassidy: His girlfriend at the time of his death.
He was rarely single. Like, ever. In his Diary of a CEO interview with Steven Bartlett, Liam admitted he was "not very good at relationships." He talked about a pattern of hurting people. He said he needed to work on himself before putting himself on someone else.
Some people think this "pattern" was a result of him trying to live a life that didn't fit. Others say it was just the result of growing up in a boy band pressure cooker. You’ve got to remember, this guy was world-famous at 16. That does things to your head. It stunts your growth.
What’s Fact and What’s Friction?
Here is the reality: Liam Payne never came out as gay or bisexual. He never adopted those labels publicly. Everything we are talking about now—the Rolling Stone sources, the sexting allegations, the "struggles with identity"—comes from people around him, not from the man himself.
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There’s a lot of anger in the fandom about this. Many feel that "outing" a man after he’s passed away is the height of disrespect. They argue that if he wanted us to know, he would have told us. Others argue that understanding his "struggle" helps explain the "downward spiral" the media loves to talk about.
It’s a tightrope.
The Toll of the "Closet" Allegations
If the reports are true and Liam was indeed struggling with his sexuality, it adds a layer of tragedy to his mental health battles. We know he struggled with "pink lemonade" (alcohol and pills) during the 1D days. He was open about his suicidal ideation.
In the industry, there’s always been this "closet" pressure. Former boy band members from across the decades have talked about being told to stay quiet about their preferences to keep the "teenage girl" demographic happy. If Liam felt he had to hide a part of himself for 15 years, the psychological weight would be unbearable.
But we have to be careful. Speculating on a dead man's sexuality can quickly veer into fan-fic territory. We have to stick to what we know.
What we know:
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- Sources close to him claim he had identity struggles.
- He never publicly identified as anything other than straight.
- His relationships with women were long and, in some cases, very serious (fathering a child).
- The "sexting" allegations come from a period of high instability and substance abuse.
How to View the Legacy Now
Sexuality isn't a "gotcha" moment. If Liam was gay, bi, or just curious, it doesn't change the music he made. It doesn't change the fact that he was a father.
What it should do is spark a conversation about how we treat young stars. If he was struggling, why did he feel he couldn't talk about it? Why is the industry still so rigid?
Honestly, the "liam payne is gay" search term mostly reveals our own obsession with labels. We want everyone to fit into a box because boxes are easy to understand. Liam was a person who was clearly hurting, clearly searching for something, and clearly didn't find the peace he needed in time.
Moving Forward
If you’re looking for a definitive "yes" or "no," you’re not going to get one. Not from me, and not from any reputable source. The evidence points to a man who was questioning a lot of things about his life—his career, his sobriety, and yes, likely his identity.
The best thing we can do is respect the complexity of his human experience. Instead of trying to "prove" his sexuality, maybe we should focus on the lessons his life teaches us about mental health and the cost of fame.
- Check your sources: Don't believe every TikTok "blind item."
- Respect the family: Remember there is a young son, Bear, who will one day read all of this.
- Support mental health: If you or someone you know is struggling with identity or substance use, reach out to organizations like The Trevor Project or local mental health services.
The story of Liam Payne is still being written by the people who knew him. We might never know the full truth of his private thoughts, and maybe that’s how it should be.