Like many others in the field, he struggled with the heavy scrutiny and constant media attention, which he often concealed behind his endearing humor and grin.
Friends, however, claim that Payne had been speaking more and more about the mental toll that celebrity had on him and pushing for more funding for artists’ mental health.
He battled worry and self-doubt behind the scenes, and Cassidy’s homage demonstrated how difficult it was for him to maintain his optimism.
Payne has also used music as a kind of therapy in recent years, reestablishing connections with fans by working on solo projects and giving them a peek into his personal hardships.
