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Toni Cornell, the daughter of the late musician Chris Cornell, has publicly criticized TMZ following the release of unsettling images of One Direction member Liam Payne after his recent death in Buenos Aires.
Cornell took to her Instagram Stories to express her dismay, stating, “After the heartbreaking news of Liam Payne’s passing, I felt I must address the appalling and distressing images shared by TMZ, which included graphic depictions of his hotel room and body,” as reported by NME. She reflected on her own trauma from when TMZ published images related to her father’s death. At just 12 years old, Toni stumbled upon those painful pictures while using her iPad, an experience that remains etched in her memory. Despite the passage of seven years, she criticized the outlet for still hosting those images online, asserting that they should be removed.
Continuing her message, Cornell lamented, “Although the images of Liam have been taken down now, the damage was already done. They should not have seen the light of day in the first place. It deeply saddens me to think that his young son, Bear, could potentially encounter them one day, enduring the same emotional turmoil I faced.”
Chris Cornell tragically took his own life on May 18, 2017, at the age of 52, following a concert in Detroit. He was discovered in his hotel room at the MGM Grand, a loss that sent shockwaves through the music community.
Cheryl Cole, Payne’s former partner and the mother of his child, echoed similar sentiments regarding the media’s handling of Payne’s demise, labeling the coverage as “abhorrent.”
Cole shared her heartache on Instagram, emphasizing Payne’s roles beyond that of a celebrity: “Liam was a son, brother, uncle, friend, and most importantly, a father to our seven-year-old son. Bear must now confront the harsh reality of losing his father forever. What troubles me most is the thought that one day Bear will come across the distressing media accounts and reports from the past few days. It pains me that I cannot shield him from this in the future.”
She urged those responsible for the coverage to consider the emotional impact their reports have on grieving families, saying, “I implore you to reflect on the harm some of these narratives cause to those left behind. Before you make comments or create video content, think about whether you would want your loved ones reading them. Please allow Liam the dignity he deserves in this moment, and let him rest in peace.”
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Liam Payne, aged 31, died last Wednesday after a tragic fall from his hotel room balcony in Argentina, an event that has sent shockwaves through the music industry and among his fans. The remaining members of One Direction gathered to pay tribute to him, all sharing their heartfelt remembrances the following day.
In a joint statement, the band expressed, “The memories we shared with Liam will be cherished forever. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the fans who loved him as we did. He will be sorely missed. We love you, Liam.”
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