A petition calling for changes in the entertainment industry after the death of Liam Payne has hit almost 24,000 signatures.
The One Direction star, who became a global superstar as a teenager in the beloved boy band, died last week aged 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
In the days after his death, a light has been shone on the mental health pressures put on those in the entertainment world.
A new petition has called for legislation to ‘safeguard artists’ mental health in the entertainment industry’ with 23,916 people signing over the weekend.
Day Kv, who set up the campaign, wrote: ‘In recent news of Liam Payne’s tragic death as many others, the entertainment industry needs to be held accountable and be responsible to the welfare of their artists.
‘We seek to implore lawmakers to create legislation safeguarding the mental health of artists within the industry.’
They called for ‘regular mental health check-ups, adequate rest periods, and the presence of mental health professionals on-set, including any ongoing support during their career’.
It comes after Sharon Osbourne, who was a judge on The X Factor, insisted Liam was ‘let down’ by the music industry.
Sharing a picture of the singer on Instagram, the 72-year-old music manager wrote: “Liam, my heart aches. We all let you down. Where was this industry when you needed them?
‘You were just a kid when you entered one of the toughest industries in the world. Who was in your corner? Rest in peace my friend @liampayne (sic)’
Boyzone star Mikey Graham called for change in the music industry insisting ‘fame can be very damaging’.
He wrote: ‘I think it would be a wise move for record companies to have psychologists on their books from now on in his memory as a duty of care for the vulnerability of their young talent.’
X Factor star Rebecca Ferguson has previously demanded a parliamentary inquiry into the music industry and called for better protection for artists, while Katie Waissel left the industry after saying the show ‘ruined [her] life’.
Liam first auditioned for X Factor in 2008 when he was 14 and returned two years later, where he secured a place in One Direction.
Following his death, Robbie Williams’ close collaborator Guy Chambers – who co-wrote countless hits like Angels and Rock DJ – has called for teenage boys to not be put into boy bands.
After former Take That star Robbie, 50, drew comparisons to his addiction battle and that of Liam, the songwriter claimed the industry doesn’t have ‘proper protection’ in place to look after the well-being of young stars.
‘I do think putting a 16-year-old in an adult world like that is potentially really damaging. Robbie experienced that, certainly,’ he told the Observer.
“I have four children, so I think about this a lot. I know in Robbie’s case, with Take That, there wasn’t any proper protection set up to look after what were teenage boys.
‘That was a long time ago, but I don’t see much sign of change. There is not much more real care taken, that I have observed, from people involved in the big television talent shows.’
Robbie was the same age as Liam, 16, when they were thrust into the limelight in their respective groups, and Guy believes only those aged 18 and over should be in a boy band.
He said: ‘I would suggest that people should not be in a boy band until they are 18, and the industry should stick to that, too.’
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