Liam Payne said Diddy had 'most evil laugh' as details of weird encounter resurface after singer's death

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: Liam Payne, who tragically died at the age of 31, once recalled his awkward encounter with Sean "Diddy" Combs.

The singer first shared his experience in a 2017 interview with Australia’s KIIS FM and later recounted the story on 'The Graham Norton Show' while appearing alongside David Walliams and Salma Hayek.

Payne stated that the disgraced rap mogul had the "most evil laugh" and described the introduction as "the most daunting celebrity experience" he had ever faced.

He met with an unexpected end to his life after falling from the third floor of the balcony of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, October 16.

Liam Payne's 'most daunting' encounter with Diddy

Recounting his introduction to Sean "Diddy" Combs at a star-studded party attended by Jay Z and Leonardo DiCaprio, Liam Payne said, "I went over to speak to him and Jay Z, and as I shook his hand, he just chuckled... the most evil laugh that I've ever heard."

"So I'm a little bit fearful of that man," he added, per Hello! Magazine.

The former One Direction star admitted he felt nervous about meeting Diddy, who was standing next to Jay-Z and Leonardo DiCaprio, and thought it would be best to approach the music mogul among the trio. However, what happened next was completely contrary to his expectations.

"It was like the most daunting celebrity experience that you could ever imagine. I thought P Diddy was a safe bet. Obviously I missed the mark a little bit," Payne stated.

Meanwhile, on 'The Graham Norton Show', Payne recalled the incident by mimicking Diddy’s laugh as they shook hands for an unusually long time. He also revealed that the rap mogul pushed him away when he leaned in to speak to Jay-Z.

Diddy is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn as he awaits his trial, which is scheduled for May 2025.

The rapper was arrested in Manhattan over severe sex trafficking and racketeering charges a month ago. Diddy pled not guilty to the federal charges and was denied bail three times in a month.

Liam Payne's story about his encounter with Diddy resurfaces in the wake of his tragic death

Liam Payne's encounter with Sean "Diddy" Combs gained widespread attention on social media following the former One Direction star's sudden death.

Despite being a heartthrob, he had his own battles with addiction and mental health.

At the height of his fame with the British boy band, Payne experienced a "pills and booze phase," relying on alcohol as a way to cope with stress. He also struggled with suicidal thoughts during this difficult period.

Before his fatal fall from a Buenos Aires hotel room balcony, staff had called 911, alerting local police about an "aggressive man who may have been under the influence of drugs and alcohol."

When the police arrived, the hotel manager reported hearing a loud noise from the courtyard. First responders then found Payne's body in the interior patio of the hotel.