Cowell created and judged “The X Factor,” the show on which he and fellow judges put together Payne’s band, One Direction, in 2010.

Liam Payne's X Factor competitor and fellow singer-songwriter Katie Waissel has a scathing message for Simon Cowell and other key players in the music industry after the shocking death of her "dear friend." The "Live and Learn" singer took to X after news broke of Payne's death, penning a heartfelt tribute in the wake of the "tragic loss."

Simon Cowell has appeared in public for the first time following the devastating news that Liam Payne has died following a tragic fall in Argentina