Maya Henry
{{Infobox person
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|2000|12|5}}
|birth_place=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
Maya Henry was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, before moving with her family to Boerne, Texas in 2013.{{cn|date=May 2025}} She is the daughter of prominent attorney Thomas J. Henry who founded and oversees Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys{{Cite web |last=Benson |first=Eric |date=2018-10-24 |title=Meet the Flamboyant, Fame-Seeking Heavyweight Champ of Texas Personal-Injury Law |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/thomas-j-henry-fame-seeking-champ-texas-personal-injury-law/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Texas Monthly |language=en}}.
From the age of three to seventeen, Henry was a dedicated tennis player, competing at a competitive level.{{Cite web |title=Player Overview - Maya Henry |url=https://www.tennisrecruiting.net/player.asp?id=776805 |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=www.tennisrecruiting.net}} Her training and travel schedule led her to be homeschooled during her formative years.{{cn|date=May 2025}} Henry pursued higher education in the arts, enrolling in New York University (NYU) where she graduated with a degree in Creative Writing in 2025.{{cn|date=May 2025}}
Career
= Modeling and media attention =
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.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-20 |title=All About Maya Henry, Liam Payne's Back-On Model Fiancée |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a33832238/who-is-maya-henry-liam-payne-fiancee/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=ELLE |language=en-US}}
Henry lived in London starting at age 18, during which time she continued modeling and developing her voice as a writer.
= Writing =
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,{{Cite web |date=2024-10-18 |title=Who Is Maya Henry? Everything to Know About Liam Payne's Ex-Girlfriend |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1408839/who-is-maya-henry-everything-to-know-about-liam-paynes-ex-girlfriend |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=E! Online}} and their resulting tumultuous relationship. In media interviews, Henry has noted that the book is inspired by true events.
Personal life
In 2018, Maya Henry began dating British singer Liam Payne, a former member of One Direction.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Liam Payne is engaged to model Maya Henry |url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/video/liam-payne-engaged-model-maya-henry-72699940 |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Good Morning America |language=en}} The couple became engaged in November 2019 after several years of an on-and-off relationship.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Liam Payne confirms engagement on 'GMA': 'We're just really happy' |url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/video/liam-payne-confirms-engagement-gma-happy-72806812 |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Good Morning America |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Maya Henry Was Engaged to Pop Star Liam Payne. But Their Relationship Was No Fairytale: 'I Was Very Naïve' (Exclusive) |url=https://people.com/maya-henry-new-novel-looking-forward-exclusive-interview-8648399 |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=People.com |language=en}} She later revealed that the relationship involved physical and emotional abuse, as well as the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.{{Cite web |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=2025-02-11 |title='I Don't Fault Him for His Struggles': Liam Payne's Ex-Fiancée Maya Henry Breaks Silence |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/liam-payne-maya-henry-statement-1235261822/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} These revelations have since shaped her public advocacy and writing.
Activism
Maya Henry has been involved in philanthropic and environmental initiatives since a young age. In 2008, at age eight, she founded Maya’s Corner,{{Cite web |last=Coke |first=Hope |date=2020-08-28 |title=Boy band heartthrob Liam Payne engaged to millionaire heiress Maya Henry |url=https://www.tatler.com/article/liam-payne-maya-henry-engaged-one-direction-star-model-millionaire-heiress |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Tatler |language=en-GB}} a charitable organization dedicated to supporting children in need.{{Cite web |date=2016-09-07 |title=It Girl Maya Henry Supports the 7th Annual Apollo in the Hamptons |url=https://sociallifemagazine.com/2016/09/07/it-girl-maya-henry-supports-the-7th-annual-apollo-in-the-hamptons/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Social Life Magazine |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |title=15 minutes with Maya Henry |url=https://newyorklifestylesmagazine.com/articles/2016/06/mayahenry.html |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=New York Lifestyles Magazine}}
In 2017, Henry spearheaded fundraising efforts for the Tree Media Foundation during the Houston Super Bowl Maxim Party silent auction{{Cite web |title=Maya Henry To Spearhead Fundraising for Tree Media Foundation At 2017 Maxim Party Silent Auction |url=http://stylemagazine.com/news/2017/jan/26/maya-henry-spearhead-fundraising-tree-media-founda/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=stylemagazine.com}}, successfully raising $100,000{{Cite web |last=Lawlor |first=Norah |date=2017-02-10 |title=Maya Henry Spearheaded Fundraising for Tree Media Foundation At 2017 MAXIM Party Silent Auction |url=https://www.lawlormediagroup.com/2017/02/10/maya-henry-spearheaded-fundraising-for-tree-media-foundation-at-2017-maxim-party-silent-auction/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Lawlor Media Group |language=en-US}}.