Arisha Williams

I honestly don't know how Liam handled that pressure so young. And at that age, that young, young, innocent, vulnerable age, it's a lot. It feels like when you think about it, extremely claustrophobic. Imagine that. You're almost a prisoner in your own planet.

I honestly don't know how Liam handled that pressure so young. And at that age, that young, young, innocent, vulnerable age, it's a lot. It feels like when you think about it, extremely claustrophobic. Imagine that. You're almost a prisoner in your own planet.

You had, obviously, so many strong individuals, because they were all solo artists coming into a group. Now, I guess, they're trying to fulfill their destiny of being solo.

You had, obviously, so many strong individuals, because they were all solo artists coming into a group. Now, I guess, they're trying to fulfill their destiny of being solo.

But I think that's actually what was charming about them, is that they didn't care. They were literally five young boys being boisterous.

But I think that's actually what was charming about them, is that they didn't care. They were literally five young boys being boisterous.

How do you deal with being in a position where he's going to have people in his ears going, well, look at Harry Styles, look how well he's doing. The comparisons actually are suffocating.

How do you deal with being in a position where he's going to have people in his ears going, well, look at Harry Styles, look how well he's doing. The comparisons actually are suffocating.

Transitioning from a group into being a solo artist, you now have to go on a personal journey. That can't be rushed.

Transitioning from a group into being a solo artist, you now have to go on a personal journey. That can't be rushed.

I think the hard reality is when you're not the hottest thing anymore, you look around and all those people that were telling you you're amazing, you're great, they disappear.

I think the hard reality is when you're not the hottest thing anymore, you look around and all those people that were telling you you're amazing, you're great, they disappear.

Liam, even though he was an adult when he passed, he was, in my mind, still just a kid. He was still a young man. And that's what's so sad. How did we get here?

Liam, even though he was an adult when he passed, he was, in my mind, still just a kid. He was still a young man. And that's what's so sad. How did we get here?

I don't think any of us can put ourselves in a position of fame at the level of One Direction. There's gonna be a level of emotional stress and pressure that starts to seep into your psyche.

I don't think any of us can put ourselves in a position of fame at the level of One Direction. There's gonna be a level of emotional stress and pressure that starts to seep into your psyche.

I'm Arisha Williams. I was in The X Factor and also Liam Payne was in The X Factor that same year. It was the most competitive show I believe in the world. The year that I had auditioned, there was over 385,000 auditionees.

I'm Arisha Williams. I was in The X Factor and also Liam Payne was in The X Factor that same year. It was the most competitive show I believe in the world. The year that I had auditioned, there was over 385,000 auditionees.

He had a very mature voice, but for a very young kid.

He had a very mature voice, but for a very young kid.