Decades after the suicides of Ernest and Margaux Hemingway, Liam Payne’s death serves as a stark reminder of the ugly side of fame, especially for one of the writer’s surviving relatives.
Hemingway’s granddaughter, Mariel Hemingway, 51, can’t help but reflect on the heartbreaking similarities between the One Direction star and her sister Margaux in particular.
Margaux, once the world’s highest-paid model, took her own life in 1996 after a years-long battle with substance abuse and depression, which her sister said was exacerbated by her stardom.
“I am incredibly saddened by the loss of Liam Payne,” Mariel told DailyMail.com.
“His tragic passing has brought to light the intense pressures that celebrities face, especially in the entertainment industry, where mental health issues are often hidden behind the façade of fame.”
Ernest Hemingway’s granddaughter Mariel Hemingway has warned that Liam Payne’s death is a stark reminder that there are not enough mental health protections for celebrities.
Payne died at age 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina last Wednesday.
Payne, 31, died Wednesday after falling from the third-floor balcony into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires.
Preliminary results of toxicology tests on Payne’s remains found traces of cocaine, benzodiazepine, crack cocaine and ‘pink cocaine,’ a combination of methamphetamine, ketamine and MDMA.
The pop star had also previously spoken about how she struggled with her meteoric rise to fame at the age of 16, detailing her mental health issues.
He admitted to abusing alcohol, “because there was no other way to understand what was happening.”
As a successful actress in her own right who has at times struggled with her celebrity status, Mariel empathizes with the late pop star.
“Liam had long been open about his battles with mental health, substance abuse, and the overwhelming stress that fame brought him,” she explained.
“From his time with One Direction to his solo career, Payne struggled with depression, alcohol dependence and even suicidal ideation, issues that were exacerbated by the pressures of global stardom and lack of personal freedom during his formative years. in the band.”
Mariel has also experienced firsthand the tragic consequences of this pressure after the death of her sister.
Margaux Hemingway was once the highest-paid model in the world, but her battle with depression led her to suicide at the age of 41.
Mariel (in the photo) has experienced firsthand the tragic consequences of this pressure after the death of her sister.
Margaux rose to fame in the 1970s as a model, appearing on the cover of Cosmopolitan, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and Time magazines before having a successful acting career.
She was once described as “the face of a generation.” But behind the shiny facade, she was battling her own demons, including alcoholism and bulimia.
In 1996, at the age of 41, her struggles got the best of her and she took a fatal overdose of barbiturates.
His severely decomposed body was discovered in his California home by his heartbroken friends.
“In the ’70s and ’80s, Margaux didn’t receive help,” explains Mariel. ‘Our consciousness was not what it is now.
‘I have spoken openly about my family’s struggles with mental health, including my sister Margaux’s challenges.
‘I have often expressed that during the early years in show business, there was very little awareness or support for mental health, especially in the entertainment industry.
“Margaux did not receive the type of mental health care and support that would be more accessible today.”
Pictured: Ernest Hemingway and his wife Mary in 1952, a decade before the writer took his own life.
His suicide came three decades after his grandfather Ernest Hemingway was shot and killed following a lifelong struggle with alcoholism.
Her suicide followed in the footsteps of her grandfather, the literary giant, who committed suicide with a double-barreled shotgun in 1961, a few months after Mariel was born.
“The pressures of Hollywood and the legacy of mental health issues in my family compounded the difficulties my sister and I faced,” Mariel said.
“There is an incredible need for more mental health awareness and resources.”
Mariel has detailed her struggles in two candid books that describe her difficulties growing up in a famous family plagued by depression, alcoholism, illness and suicide.
She found unusual ways to cope with the struggle and became obsessive about her food, schedule, and organization.
Today, he has largely overcome his problems and advocates for greater protections for those who work in the industry.
“This tragedy underscores the urgent need for better mental health support within the entertainment industry,” Mariel said of Payne’s death.
‘While the music industry has made progress in recognizing artists’ mental health, it is clear that stronger support systems are needed.
Payne, pictured with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy, is believed to have been under the influence of a cocktail of drugs at the time of his death.
Mariel, photographed with reporter Gustavo Egusquiza, said that while the dangers of fame are better understood today than when her sister died, there is still a long way to go.
“Payne’s death serves as a poignant reminder that even in the world of glamor and success, mental health issues must be addressed with care, understanding and timely intervention.”
‘It is crucial that the industry continues to prioritize the mental wellbeing of its artists, offering them the support and resources they need to navigate the pressures of fame.
“May his soul rest in peace and his family find comfort in the memories they made together.”
