Liam Payne’s former One Direction bandmates released a joint and separate statement Wednesday saying they were “completely shocked” by the singer’s sudden death.
Payne, 31, died after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. An autopsy report released Thursday found Payne died from multiple serious injuries and “internal and external bleeding” from the balcony fall.
Surviving One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik issued their first joint statement on social media late Thursday afternoon.
“We are completely shocked by the news of Liam’s passing,” the band wrote on Instagram. “As time goes by and everyone can do it, there will be more to say. However, for the time being, we will take time to process the grief and sadness of losing the younger brother we loved so much.”
The former Boybanders said they will cherish their memories with Payne forever and wish him good luck to his family, friends, and fans.
“We love Liam,” his bandmates said.
One Direction’s joint statement on the death of bandmate Liam Payne, published October 17, 2024.
Instagram @onedirection
louis tomlinson
After One Direction’s joint statement was released, bandmates slowly took to their social media accounts to share individual tributes to Payne.
Tomlinson was the first to post. He called Payne a role model and “a positive, funny and kind soul.”
“I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18. I was immediately struck by his voice. But more importantly, as time went on, I got the chance to see the kind brother I had longed for my whole life.” Tomlinson, 32, wrote. “Liam was an amazing songwriter with a great sense of melody. We often talked about getting back into the studio together to recreate the songwriting chemistry we had built in the band.”
Tomlinson called Payne “the best part of One Direction” and thanked him for putting the band together.
The singer then shared a personal message for Payne: “If you’re listening.”
Tomlinson said he was “really unlucky” to have Payne in his life but was “really struggling with the idea of having to say goodbye”.
“I thought reminiscing about the thousands of amazing memories we had together was a luxury I could have with you for the rest of my life,” he continued. “I wanted to share the stage with you all again, but I couldn’t.”
Payne and Tomlinson have both admitted to having a sometimes strained relationship when they were both members of One Direction. During an infamous interview on Logan Paul’s podcast. impulsiveIn 2022, Payne said he and Tomlinson despised each other to the point that they got into a physical altercation.
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Although Payne’s impulsive The interview did not go down well with One Direction fans, and Tomlinson later defended his bandmate, saying the podcast host was “rude” and took advantage of Payne, who had relapsed into sobriety.
Tomlinson said he had grown closer to Payne since One Direction announced its hiatus in 2015.
Zayn Malik
Malik said he has been “talking out loud” to Payne since news of his death.
“I can’t help but feel selfish that there are so many conversations we could be having in our lives.” Malik, 31, wrote: “I have never been able to thank you enough for supporting me through the most difficult time of my life.”
“When I was 17 and missing home, you were always there with your positive thoughts and reassuring smile, letting me know that you were my friend and that I loved you,” he remembered.
Malik said he respected Payne despite the fact that they often “butted heads” when they were younger.
“I’ve always secretly admired you,” Malik said in response to their claims.
that Pillow Talk The singer said Payne has always been the most “qualified” musician and member of One Direction.
“When you left us, I lost a brother and I can’t explain what I would give to hug you one last time, to say goodbye properly and to tell you that I loved and respected you so deeply,” Malik concluded. . “I will forever cherish every memory I have had with you in my heart. There are no words that can justify or explain how I feel right now other than being beyond devastated.”
Malik abruptly left One Direction in 2015, and the band members continued to perform without him for several months before announcing a hiatus.
He and Payne had a tumultuous relationship, which Payne spoke out about and later apologized for. impulsive Podcast.
Earlier this year, Malik said he was grateful to be part of One Direction, but said he wished he had had more ‘fun’ of the experience when he was younger.
“I’m grateful that I can be happier now,” Jane said in an interview.
harry styles
Styles shared a short statement about Payne on Instagram on Thursday, saying he was “absolutely devastated” by his bandmate’s death.
“His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honor to do that with him,” Styles, 30, wrote. “Liam lived with an open heart and had an energy for life that was infectious.”
“He was warm, supportive and incredibly loving,” Styles said of Payne. “The time we spent together will forever be the most precious time of my life.”
Stiles said he was “heartbroken” for Payne’s family, his son and all the people around the world who knew and loved him like I did.
Liam Payne and One Direction’s Harry Styles perform on stage at the 2013 American Music Awards in Los Angeles on November 24, 2013.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Styles has often spoken positively about his experience in One Direction and credited his solo success with the band’s development.
In a 2022 interview with Zane Lowe ahead of the album release: harry’s house, A style reminiscent of the One Direction era. He recalled when his bandmates’ photos were first published in the local newspaper and how “happy” the teenagers at the time were despite their small success.
Niall Horan
The last One Direction member to pay tribute to Payne was Horan. Horan was also the most recent band member to meet Payne in person.
Two weeks before his death, Payne attended Horan’s stadium concert in Argentina. Payne was seen dancing in a private box at the venue before and during the show, and met Horan afterwards.
In a statement posted to social media on Friday, Horan said he was “devastated by the death of my amazing friend Liam.”
Horan, 31, said he was “lucky” to have met Payne recently.
“Sadly, I had no idea that after saying goodbye to him and hugging him, I would be saying goodbye forever,” he wrote. “It’s heartbreaking.”
Horan said Payne’s death “doesn’t feel real.”
“Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was contagious,” he continued. “He was the brightest person in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.”
“Through the sadness, I keep being reminded of all the laughter we’ve had over the years, sometimes over the simplest things,” Horan wrote. “We got to live our wildest dreams together and I will forever cherish every moment we had. “The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime.”
Niall offered his best wishes to Payne’s family and thanked his bandmate for “everything”.
In 2023, Horan said One Direction “feels like a separate life now.”
Horan said he had a “good perspective on things looking back” and was thankful he “didn’t lose the plot along the way.”
Who was Liam Payne?
The One Direction members met at a British singing contest in 2010. x Factor, When the judges, including Simon Cowell, paired up teenage boys and gave them a group performance.
Payne has already auditioned. x factor It was two years ago, but I was eliminated early. His successful second attempt at age 16 made Payne the leader of the five One Direction boys, known for their raucous antics.
One Direction’s success was explosive. Before the band announced its hiatus in 2015, the members’ faces were a common sight on the bedroom walls of teenagers around the world.
Today, those fans are mourning the death of Payne’s parasocial relationship, along with the members of One Direction who lost their beloved “brothers.”
