One Direction and its individual bandmates are remembering their “brother,” the late Liam Payne, in heartbreaking tributes shared to social media. Payne died at age 31 on October 16 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The band issued a joint statement shared to the official One Direction Instagram account, writing that they are “completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing."
The statement, which was signed by remaining members Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles, reads: “In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”
Read on below for the individual remembrances of Liam Payne from the members of One Direction.
Harry Styles
Harry Styles posted an Instagram photo of Liam Payne from a concert, in which Payne is visible from the back as he sings to a packed arena. “I am truly devastated by Liam's passing,” he wrote in the caption. “His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.”
“Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving," Styles continued. "The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend. My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did.” See the full tribute here:
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Niall Horan
Niall Horan's tribute began with a throwback photo of himself with Payne in the early 1D days. “It just doesn't feel real,” he wrote. “Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure. All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness. We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn't happen often in a lifetime.”
Horan added that he felt “fortunate” to have seen Payne recently. “I sadly didn't know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It's heartbreaking.” Horan concluded his tribute to Payne with condolences to the late singer's family and ended with a simply heartbreaking, “Love you brother.” See the full message below:
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Zayn Malik
Zayn Malik posted a heartwarming throwback photo of himself and Liam Payne asleep, with the caption “Love You Bro ❤️.” In a lengthy remembrance caption, Malik wrote that he had found himself talking out loud to Payne.
“I can't help but think selfishly that there was [sic] so many more conversations for us to have in our lives,” he wrote. “I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. When I was missing home as a 17 year old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know that you were my friend and that was loved.”
Malik referenced their dynamic, saying the two had “butted heads” from time to time. “I always secretly respected you for it,” he wrote. He added that he was the “most qualified” musically in the group and that “we could always rely on you to know which way to steer the ship next.”
“I lost a brother when you left us and can't explain to you what I'd give just to give you a huge one more time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly," Malik wrote. "I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever.” Read the full statement below:
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Louis Tomlinson
Louis Tomlinson shared a sweet photo of himself and Payne onstage together with a thoughtful remembrance of his friend. “Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul. I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for,” he wrote. Tomlinson praised Payne's musicality and songwriting skills and noted that the two had meant to get back into the studio together.
“Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction," Tomlinson shared. “His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on.”
He closed his statement with a message to Payne, saying: “I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours , reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be. I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.” Tomlinson went on to call Payne “one of [his] best friends” and “my brother.” Read the full statement here:
