Guy Chambers calls on the music industry to stop putting teenagers in pop groups following Liam Payne’s death

nme.com:

Guy Chambers is calling on the music industry to stop putting minors in boybands following the death of Liam Payne earlier this week.The solo artist and former One Direction member died at age 31 on Wednesday (October 16), following a fatal fall from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.Since his death, figures from across the music industry have spoken out about the impact fame has on young stars.

Payne was 14 when he first auditioned for the X Factor, and 16 when he became a member of One Direction during the show’s 10th season.Robbie Williams was among those paying tribute, saying Payne’s “trials and tribulations were very similar to mine” as a former boyband member.

The ex-Take That frontman has previously opened up about his history of self-harm and depression and encouraged people to be more “careful” about the comments they make towards those in the public eye.Now, Chambers, who worked closely with Williams on hits like ‘Angels’ and ‘Let Me Entertain You’ has reflected on Payne’s immense fame at a young age. “I do think putting a 16-year-old in an adult world like that is potentially really damaging.

Robbie [Williams] experienced that, certainly,” he told the Observer.He continued: “I have four children, so I think about this a lot.