TMZ has drawn outrage for publishing cropped photos of Liam Payne’s body taken after the One Direction singer fell to his death from the roof of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The photos showed portions of Payne’s arm and waist, which were covered in identifying tattoos. “TMZ obtained a photo showing Liam’s body on a wooden deck at the hotel with tables and chairs nearby,” the story read. “We’re not showing the whole body, but you can clearly see his tattoo — a clock on his left forearm, and a scorpion on his abdomen.”
The decision to run the photos drew fierce condemnation on social media. Rylan Clark, a BBC presenter and TV personality, wrote, “TMZfucking shame on you. Disgrace,” on X (formerly Twitter). Singer Alessia Cara wrote, “You’re gross @TMZ.” The sentiments were echoed across the social media platform by horrified fans still in shock from news of Payne’s death.
The site appeared to second-guess the decision. The photos later disappeared from the post, with the copy changed to read, “TMZ has seen a photo showing Liam’s body.”
Though TMZ is known to push journalistic ethical boundaries in obtaining its traffic-friendly scoops, the publishing of celebrity death photos is a line that even it does not typically cross.
