Robbie Williams speaks on the panel for “Better Man” at the Deadline Contenders Film: Los Angeles – November 2024.
Robbie Williams has called for the music industry to create a support group for “young stars struggling with fame” following the death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne last month.
Williams, who came to fame himself as a 16-year-old with the UK pop group Take That, spoke of his own struggles and hoped a “think tank of empathetic and compassionate creatives” could come together to “protect people.” In an interview with the UK Express newspaper, he said:
“If you are following the story closely, we are beginning to understand, maybe on a subconscious level more than conscious level, that fame isn’t a fix-all.
“Some are lucky to get through to the other end but a lot don’t.
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‘I would hope that something is done in Liam’s name to protect people, whatever that means.”
Williams’ story was told in a Netflix documentary series last year, which focused on his rollercoaster ride first finding fame as a member of a group, then solo superstardom but also mental health challenges. Williams recalled in the series standing on stage in front of thousands of people and having a “nervous, mental breakdown.” He also suffered from agoraphobia.