The release of “Do No Wrong,” the new single fans and supporters eagerly awaited, featuring the late Liam Payne, has been postponed. Sam Pounds, the American singer-songwriter who collaborated with Payne on the track, shared the update on X, formerly known as Twitter. Payne, the former One Direction star, tragically passed away earlier this month at just 31 after he fell from his hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires.
Initially, Pounds had announced that “Do No Wrong” would be released this Friday as a “blessing to the world.” Yet, with the world still mourning from Payne’s sudden passing, Pounds now feels it’s not the right time. “Even though we all love the song, it’s not the time yet,” he shared in a heartfelt post on X. “We are all still mourning the passing of Liam, and I want the family to mourn in peace and in prayer. We will all wait.”
Responses to Pounds’ post showed a wave of support and gratitude from fans who appreciated his decision not to release the single. User @Twisha_upadyay wrote, “Sam, your decision to prioritize family, love, and respect over everything else speaks volumes. It’s beautiful that you’re choosing to honor Liam’s memory and give everyone time to mourn in their own way. Holding back on ‘Do No Wrong’ for now, and dedicating proceeds to a charity when the time is right, is a deeply meaningful gesture. Wishing you and the family strength, peace, and comfort during this time. With love and respect.” Similarly, user Danielle added, “I have mad respect for you for holding off on the release. I understand you want to do something to honor Liam, but it needs to be done respectfully, so thank you so much for honoring him and respecting his family.” Many fans shared this sentiment, grateful that the single’s release would be handled with care.
Dawn G said, “As much as we would all love to hear his beautiful voice again, I’m so glad you recognized that it’s too soon. Thank you for not being one of the many who are trying to capitalize on this tragedy.” Dawn’s comment reflects a sentiment shared among fans, showing gratitude for the respect shown toward Payne’s memory. Altogether, these responses reflect a community of fans who not only loved Payne’s artistry but valued the empathy and respect surrounding his legacy.
Not all responses, however, were in agreement; @sadsucca expressed a different perspective, commenting, “it was honestly never your decision to make, always the family… if it isn’t released alive, don’t release it dead.”
Payne’s passing has sparked a conversation about protecting young artists in the entertainment industry, especially as Payne was only 14 when he first auditioned for The X Factor and 16 when he joined One Direction. Since his death, a petition advocating for new laws to safeguard the mental health of artists has gained attention, now with over 120,000 signatures.
Local authorities identified Payne’s cause of death as multiple traumatic injuries from the fall, with toxicology reports showing multiple substances in his system, including pink cocaine.
“The entertainment industry needs to be held accountable and be responsible for the welfare of their artists,” wrote Day Kv, who initiated the petition. “We seek to implore lawmakers to create legislation safeguarding the mental health of artists within the industry (as well as) regular mental health check-ups, adequate rest periods, and the presence of mental health professionals on-set, including any ongoing support during their career.”
While supporters eagerly await the chance to hear Payne’s final work, many are grateful for the decision to hold off on its release, prioritising respect and reflection.