Maya Henry
Maya Henry | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 5, 2000 Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. |
| Alma mater | New York University |
Maya Henry (born December 15, 2000) is an American heiress, writer, and former model.
She gained public attention for her modeling work with international editions of Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar, and for her high-profile engagement with British singer Liam Payne of One Direction. She is the author of the novel Looking Forward, a fictional, semi-autobiographical work exploring trauma, survival, and healing.
Early life and education
[edit]Maya Henry was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, before moving with her family to Boerne, Texas in 2013.[citation needed] She is the daughter of prominent attorney Thomas J. Henry who founded and oversees Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys[1].
From the age of three to seventeen, Henry was a dedicated tennis player, competing at a competitive level.[2] Her training and travel schedule led her to be homeschooled during her formative years.[citation needed] Henry pursued higher education in the arts, enrolling in New York University (NYU) where she graduated with a degree in Creative Writing in 2025.[citation needed]
Career
[edit]Modeling and media attention
[edit]Henry first came to broader public attention through modeling work. She is represented by Elite Model Management and Select Model London, and has appeared on runways and in campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry and Rami Kadi, and on prominent magazine covers, including international editions for Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar. Henry closed out George Hobeika’s Paris Fashion Week in 2021.[3]
Henry lived in London starting at age 18,[3] during which time she continued modeling and developing her voice as a writer.
Writing
[edit]Henry published her first novel, Looking Forward, in 2025. The book tells the story of the fictional character Mallory Hunt from Tennessee, who falls in love with Oliver Smith, the lead singer of the band 5Forward,[4] and their resulting tumultuous relationship. In media interviews, Henry has noted that the book is inspired by true events.[4]
Personal life
[edit]In 2018, Maya Henry began dating British singer Liam Payne, a former member of One Direction.[5] The couple became engaged in November 2019 after several years of an on-and-off relationship.[6] Their engagement ended in 2022.
Following their breakup, Henry published a semi-autobiographical novel titled Looking Forward, which explores themes of trauma, survival, and healing—drawing heavily from her personal experiences.[7] She later revealed that the relationship involved physical and emotional abuse, as well as the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.[8] These revelations have since shaped her public advocacy and writing.
Activism
[edit]Maya Henry has been involved in philanthropic and environmental initiatives since a young age. In 2008, at age eight, she founded Maya’s Corner,[9] a charitable organization dedicated to supporting children in need.[10] The initiative focuses on providing school supplies and other essentials to underprivileged youth in Texas, aiming to alleviate issues related to education, hunger, and poverty.[11]
In 2017, Henry spearheaded fundraising efforts for the Tree Media Foundation during the Houston Super Bowl Maxim Party silent auction[12], successfully raising $100,000[13].
References
[edit]- ^ Benson, Eric (2018-10-24). "Meet the Flamboyant, Fame-Seeking Heavyweight Champ of Texas Personal-Injury Law". Texas Monthly. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "Player Overview - Maya Henry". www.tennisrecruiting.net. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ a b "All About Maya Henry, Liam Payne's Back-On Model Fiancée". ELLE. 2021-08-20. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ a b "Who Is Maya Henry? Everything to Know About Liam Payne's Ex-Girlfriend". E! Online. 2024-10-18. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "Liam Payne is engaged to model Maya Henry". Good Morning America. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "Liam Payne confirms engagement on 'GMA': 'We're just really happy'". Good Morning America. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "Maya Henry Was Engaged to Pop Star Liam Payne. But Their Relationship Was No Fairytale: 'I Was Very Naïve' (Exclusive)". People.com. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ Grow, Kory (2025-02-11). "'I Don't Fault Him for His Struggles': Liam Payne's Ex-Fiancée Maya Henry Breaks Silence". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ Coke, Hope (2020-08-28). "Boy band heartthrob Liam Payne engaged to millionaire heiress Maya Henry". Tatler. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "It Girl Maya Henry Supports the 7th Annual Apollo in the Hamptons". Social Life Magazine. 2016-09-07. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "15 minutes with Maya Henry". New York Lifestyles Magazine. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "Maya Henry To Spearhead Fundraising for Tree Media Foundation At 2017 Maxim Party Silent Auction". stylemagazine.com. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ Lawlor, Norah (2017-02-10). "Maya Henry Spearheaded Fundraising for Tree Media Foundation At 2017 MAXIM Party Silent Auction". Lawlor Media Group. Retrieved 2025-05-28.