Maya Henry has spoken out for the first time since the passing of her ex-fiancé, Liam Payne, revealing shocking details about their relationship. In an interview with Rolling Stone, the model accused the late singer of sharing private images of her without consent, a discovery she made after his death.
Liam, best known for his time in One Direction, died in October last year at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina. At the time, he was in a relationship with Kate Cassidy, but he had previously been engaged to Maya, with whom he had an on-and-off relationship from 2018 to 2022.
Maya described their time together as deeply troubled, citing Liam’s struggles with substance abuse as a major factor in their breakup. She explained that while she cared for him, his addiction issues made their relationship difficult and often unsafe. “On drugs, he became someone I didn’t recognise,” she revealed, adding that she had tried to support him but eventually realised she could not change him.
Liam Payne and Maya Henry at the 2019 #BoFVOICES gala dinner honouring Edward Enninful in OxfordshireGetty Images
The most distressing revelation from Maya’s statement was her claim that Liam shared intimate photos of her without her permission. She alleged that these images, taken during their engagement, were distributed without her knowledge, something she only uncovered after his passing. She admitted that this discovery has complicated her grieving process, as she is left to deal with the consequences of his actions even after his death.
Sources close to Maya stated that she was unaware of the full extent of Liam’s behaviour until later in their relationship. Reports suggest that in addition to his drug use, he engaged in concerning actions, including inappropriate online interactions. Toward the end of their time together, Maya issued a cease-and-desist order against him, alleging he had been repeatedly contacting her and her family.
After Liam’s passing, Maya has faced online scrutiny, with some unfairly blaming her for his struggles. However, many have also voiced their support, acknowledging the difficulty of being in a relationship with someone battling addiction. Despite the challenges she faced, Maya said that she had once deeply loved Liam but had to walk away for her own well-being.
While she continues to process his loss, Maya remains vocal about the lasting scar of their relationship, particularly the betrayal of trust she experienced. Her statement also brings to light the complexities of grieving someone who caused deep emotional pain.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.