Fans were shocked to learn that Liam Payne<\/a><\/strong> died after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday. He was 31.<\/p>\n Before his untimely passing, the British singer appeared to be on top of the world during his boy band days with One Direction<\/a>. He was just 16 when he joined forces with fellow X-Factor<\/em> contestants Harry Styles<\/strong><\/a>, Niall Horan<\/strong><\/a>, Louis Tomlinson<\/strong><\/a>, and Zayn Malik<\/a><\/strong>, quickly becoming a global superstar with hit after hit. However, life after the band’s indefinite hiatus<\/a> proved to be challenging, especially in his love life.<\/p>\n Since leaving One Direction, Payne welcomed a child with ex-girlfriend and fellow British artist Cheryl Cole<\/strong>. He then dated and became engaged to Texan model Maya Henry<\/strong><\/a>, but their relationship ended in May 2022. Following a quiet yet confusing split from Maya, he briefly dated Instagram model and influencer Aliana Mawla<\/strong><\/a>. Most recently, he was in a relationship with influencer Kate Cassidy<\/strong><\/a>, which began in fall 2022 and included a brief breakup in May 2023<\/a>. They quickly reunited, and in June 2023, they were spotted holding hands<\/a> again. According to her social media, Cassidy was also with him in Argentina just days before his tragic passing.<\/p>\n Read on to explore the details of the late artist’s relationships, including those mentioned and others in between.<\/p>\n Liam began dating dancer Danielle Peazer<\/strong> after meeting her at auditions for the X-Factor<\/em> in 2010. Sadly, after two years together, the pair broke up<\/a>.<\/p>\n “They have split in the last few days because it has been more and more difficult to keep the relationship going with Liam spending more and more time away,” an insider told the Daily Mirror<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>in 2012. “He has hardly been able to see Danielle in recent months and the band have a world tour next year so it was only going to get harder.”<\/p>\n The following year, Liam started dating childhood friend Sophia Smith<\/strong>. Their romance lasted until 2015 when Sophia apparently dumped the “Get Low” singer<\/a> because she wasn’t ready for such a serious relationship.<\/p>\n \u201cSophia felt that their relationship was at a point where they either made a decision to get married and settle down, or they go on and do something else and experience more of the world,\u201d an insider told HollywoodLife<\/strong> EXCLUSIVELY<\/a> in October 2015. \u201cShe chose the latter because she\u2019s still so young. Sophia has always been an independent woman and believes she has a lot to achieve. She wants to remain amicable with Liam, but knows that\u2019ll be harder now.\u201d<\/p>\n Things came full circle for Liam in 2016 when he and British singer and X Factor<\/em> judge Cheryl Cole<\/strong> got together. While fans were shocked about the relationship due to their 10-year age gap, it may have been less of a surprise if they knew how giddy Cheryl was after Liam’s audition for the talent scouting show. \u201cI like you,\u201d Cheryl told a bright-eyed Liam during his first audition in 2008, according to People<\/em><\/a>. \u201cI think you\u2019re really cute. I think you\u2019ve got charisma. You know, you gave that really cheeky wink,” she gushed. Two years later, she praised his “really powerful” voice.<\/p>\n Furthermore, Liam’s ex Sophia admitted she wasn’t at all surprised about the romance. “I wasn’t shocked when it came out because they’re in the same industry,” she told MailOnline<\/em> <\/a>in July 2016. “I’m five years older than him so I know that he maybe has a thing for age gaps. I mean look at her, I’d go out with her!” She also said she is happy to see him happy.<\/p>\n The pair began dating in late 2015 and made their red carpet debut in May 2016 at Eva Longoria<\/strong>\u2019s Global Gift Gala, where Cheryl was the recipient of the Global Gift philanthropist award. Soon after, the two lovebirds got pregnant and Cheryl stepped out in London with a growing baby bump in November of that year, per People<\/em><\/a>. And in March of 2017, they welcomed their son, Bear<\/strong>. “On Wednesday 22nd March Liam and I became parents to an incredibly beautiful, healthy baby boy, weighing 7lb 9 and looking like a dream,” Cheryl announced via Instagram, per CBS News<\/em><\/a>. “Although he still doesn’t have a name he is already stealing hearts. We are all madly in love and overwhelmingly happy with our little arrival. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers around the world. A day that now has a different meaning to me forever.”<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n A post shared by Liam Payne (@liampayne)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\nDanielle Peazer<\/h2>\n
![\"Liam](\"https:\/\/hollywoodlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/liam-payne-girlfriends-Danielle-Peazer1.jpg?resize=620%2C931\")
walk hand-in-hand at London’s Heathrow airport in 2012 (Photo: David Fisher\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSophia Smith<\/h2>\n
![\"Liam](\"https:\/\/hollywoodlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/liam-payne-girlfriends-Sophia-Smith1.jpg?resize=620%2C907\")
Cheryl Cole<\/h2>\n
![\"Cheryl](\"https:\/\/hollywoodlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/liam-payne-girlfriends-Cheryl1.jpg?resize=620%2C930\")
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