Trisha Paytas, an American YouTuber known for her candid takes on celebrities, faced unexpected backlash after discussing former One Direction member Liam Payne on her podcast, Just Trish. Known for her bold opinions, Paytas found herself at the center of controversy following her remarks.

The podcast episode, which remains available on Spotify, was released on October 8, 2024, just over a week before Liam’s untimely death from a fall at an Argentinian hotel. This tragic event has cast a shadow over her comments.

It has since been revealed that Liam was grappling with alcohol and substance abuse issues, and his public behavior had become increasingly unpredictable as a result.

The discussion on the podcast inevitably turned to Liam’s turbulent relationships with his former One Direction bandmates after their 2016 split.

Comedian Zach Justice, Trisha’s co-host, remarked, “He seems to have had falling outs with just about everyone from the group. If there’s no reunion, it’s likely because of Liam. They simply don’t want him around.”

Trisha, 37, added, “Liam should be excluded. A reunion without him might spark more excitement. Their appeal could increase significantly.”

‘I don’t know him, I couldn’t tell you one harmony he sings,’ she continued.

A little over a week later, Liam was dead – and One Direction fans declared Trisha officially ‘cancelled’ for her insensitive comments.

Trisha Paytas, who has a hugely popular YouTube channel, angered One Direction fans with her comments about Liam Payne

So, imagine their surprise now that Trisha has struck up an unlikely friendship with Liam’s former girlfriend of two years, Kate Cassidy.

Earlier this month, while discussing influencer Kate’s numerous social media posts about her late boyfriend, Trisha announced on her podcast: ‘I love her. She follows me, too.’

Then, this week, Kate posted a sultry selfie, with the caption: ‘Yes I’ve seen the Trisha podcast clip and the feeling is mutual.’ Her words were followed by a red heart emoji.

Naturally, Directioners are stunned – and many have questioned Kate’s motives. After all, the influencer built a huge social media following from her romance with Liam and continues to post tearful videos about her grief more than two years on – which rake in thousands of views.

One insider tells me: ‘Kate has spent the last 18 months or so living off of Liam even though he is dead.

‘It has been lucrative for her, and now she has cultivated a friendship with one of Liam’s fiercest critics. Nobody can understand why she has done this. It feels very disrespectful and perhaps is yet further evidence that Kate’s motives may not be straightforward.’

Indeed, those who knew Liam are ‘disgusted’ at her lack of loyalty. ‘Why would anyone do this?’ asked one. ‘It’s not a very nice way of remembering your boyfriend – Trisha slated him so very publicly.’

But this is just the latest in a series of incidents that have led many One Direction fans to turn against Kate.

One insider tells Katie Hind: ‘Kate has spent the last 18 months or so living off of Liam even though he is dead’

Liam and Kate dated for two years before his untimely death in October 2024

‘Kate continues to post tearful videos about her grief more than two years on – which rake in thousands of views’

After Liam’s death, many were furious that she had chosen to leave him alone in Argentina. Kate claims that she had to fly back to their home in Miami to look after their rescue puppy. 

In her absence, Liam took a cocktail of drugs at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel before he died – a fate some fans claim might have been avoided if she had stayed with him.

Kate has also found herself the victim of a social media pile-on for her actions in the aftermath of Liam’s death. In October 2025, she shared a selection of haunting, AI-generated images of the couple – pictures which distressed those who knew and loved the singer.

Nor will fans ever forgive Kate for the interview she gave last year to a red-top newspaper, for which she is thought to have been paid a ‘high five-figure sum’.

Then there was the day Kate moved out of the London flat rented by Liam, where she had been living following his death. She was seen looking forlorn in photographs, clutching a soft toy as she watched her suitcases being loaded into a waiting taxi.

It later emerged that the pictures were likely to have been staged by Kate – and that Liam’s parents Geoff and Karen had politely asked her to leave the property – a clue that there was no love lost between them.

Now friends of Liam – and his loyal fans – believe that her actions have gone beyond the pale.

‘What a thing to do,’ said one. ‘Maybe she has finally moved on, but really, does she have to do it like this?’