Late pop star – Liam Payne Says He Hated Louis Tomlinson During ONE DIRECTION and “Dislikes” Zayn Malik

Former One Direction star Liam Payne made headlines after candidly opening up about his time in the group during a guest appearance on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast. In a wide-ranging discussion that touched on his relationships with his former bandmates, Payne admitted he once “hated” Louis Tomlinson during their boy band days, and also revealed his complicated feelings toward Zayn Malik.

The comments quickly sparked intense conversation among fans worldwide, as Payne painted a raw picture of tension, conflict, and eventual reconciliation within the band that once defined a generation of pop music.

Liam Payne Reflects on One Direction’s Wild Early Days

During the interview, Liam Payne described his One Direction journey as anything but smooth. Reflecting on the early years following their rise on The X Factor, Payne revealed that the group dynamic was often difficult, filled with rowdy personalities and clashing egos.

“Louis was wild. And he wanted to be wild. That’s his spirit,” Liam explained. “He’s my best mate now but in the band, we hated each other. Like, to come to blowers hated each other. It was close.”

Although Payne made clear that no physical fights ever broke out, his words highlighted just how strained his relationship with Tomlinson was during their time together. What is striking, however, is how that relationship evolved into one of the closest friendships Payne treasures today.

Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne’s Then-and-Now Relationship

The idea of Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson as enemies may shock many fans, particularly because they now openly refer to each other as best friends. But Payne admitted that back then, their personalities often collided.

At the time, Tomlinson embodied the rebellious, mischievous member of the band, while Payne carried himself as more of a responsible and serious presence. This natural difference led to friction, but with maturity and time, the two eventually found common ground.

Today, Payne’s praise of Tomlinson underscores their journey from rivals to lifelong friends—a reminder that even the strongest friendships can have rocky beginnings.

The Zayn Malik Discussion: Dislike and Compassion

While Liam Payne’s reflections on Tomlinson painted a story of growth, his comments about Zayn Malik were more complex. Payne admitted to having many reasons why he “dislikes” Zayn, but also acknowledged that he sympathizes with the challenges Zayn has faced.

“Before we go too deeply into this, there’s many reasons why I dislike Zayn and there’s many reasons why I’ll always, always be on his side,” Payne shared.

He explained that his own upbringing was filled with support from family, something he felt Zayn lacked. Payne noted that this lack of support shaped Malik’s struggles, emphasizing that people should try to understand the difficulties Zayn endured behind the scenes.

“You can always look at the man for where he is and say, ‘Oh yeah, whatever, that guy’s a d*ck,’ right? But at the end of the day, once you understand what he’s been through to get to that point… your only hope is that at some point in their life, the person at the other end of the phone wants to receive the help that you’re willing to give them.”

This mixture of criticism and compassion demonstrated Payne’s conflicted feelings toward Zayn—a blend of personal disappointment and empathetic understanding.

The Infamous Backstage Incident

In the podcast, Payne also recalled an intense moment of conflict backstage during One Direction’s touring years. Without naming names, he described an incident where a bandmate pinned him against a wall.

“There was one moment when there was an argument backstage and someone, one member in particular, threw me up a wall. So I said to him, ‘If you don’t remove those hands, there’s a high likelihood you’ll never use them again.’”

Although Payne did not reveal which member was involved, his anecdote reinforced how volatile band life could become when emotions ran high.

Logan Paul’s Story About Zayn and Jake Paul

Adding fuel to the conversation, Logan Paul shared his brother Jake’s experience with Zayn Malik in Las Vegas. According to Logan, Jake believed Zayn had disrespected him, which resulted in heated social media exchanges. The drama escalated when Gigi Hadid, Malik’s former partner, publicly defended Zayn by calling Jake “ugly and irrelevant.”

This sparked viral attention at the time, and Liam Payne couldn’t resist commenting on it during the podcast. “Then she tweeted something about getting yourself a respectful man or something. That one didn’t age very well,” Payne said, seemingly referencing Zayn’s later personal controversies.

Backlash and Fan Reactions

Unsurprisingly, Payne’s blunt comments about Tomlinson and Malik quickly made headlines and trended across social media. Some fans criticized him for airing grievances in such a public setting, while others appreciated his honesty.

Many Directioners felt conflicted—on one hand, his admissions gave an unfiltered look into the pressures and struggles inside the band; on the other, it reignited old controversies that fans had long hoped were behind them.

Liam Payne’s Clarification on Twitter

Recognizing the intensity of the reaction, Liam Payne later took to Twitter to clarify his remarks, especially regarding Zayn Malik. On June 2, Payne wrote:

“Guys – I wouldn’t normally comment on this stuff but when it’s your family it’s hard to let it slide. They mentioned a specific incident involving Zayn which I responded to – but listening back maybe I didn’t articulate myself as well as I could have.”

He emphasized that despite disagreements, he will always see Zayn as family:

“I was saying that there will always be things we disagree on but that I will always, always be on his side. That’s family. Zayn is my brother and I will stand by him forever.”

This clarification softened his earlier comments, showing that while Payne may harbor frustrations, he ultimately views his bond with Malik as unbreakable.

Why Liam Payne’s Comments Matter

The attention surrounding Payne’s interview reflects more than just fan curiosity. It highlights the complexities of life in one of the most famous boy bands in history. Behind the polished performances and global success, One Direction faced internal conflicts, personal struggles, and clashing personalities.

Payne’s honesty sheds light on the realities of fame at a young age. For millions of fans, it’s a reminder that even idols experience tension, misunderstandings, and personal growth.

Liam Payne’s Place in the One Direction Legacy

Despite the controversies, Liam Payne remains an important figure in One Direction’s legacy. His willingness to speak openly—sometimes too openly—about the band’s dynamics gives fans a rare window into what it was like to live through that whirlwind experience.

For Payne, reconciliation with Tomlinson and his continued loyalty to Malik underscore the deep bond the five members share, even if those relationships have endured rocky patches.

Conclusion: A Story of Conflict, Growth, and Brotherhood

Liam Payne’s revelations about hating Louis Tomlinson during One Direction, his mixed feelings toward Zayn Malik, and his later clarification all reveal one truth: the journey of One Direction was as complicated as it was successful.

Tensions, clashes, and disagreements were part of the story, but so were friendship, loyalty, and eventual reconciliation. For fans, Payne’s honesty is both surprising and refreshing—it shows that even global superstars are human, shaped by conflict and growth.

At the end of the day, Payne’s message was clear: One Direction may no longer perform together, but the members remain a family. Disagreements may linger, but the bond built during those years continues to endure.