Liam Payne’s former One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik issued a statement on Thursday saying: They were “completely devastated” by his death.
Payne Officials in Argentina said that a man died on Wednesday after falling in the inner courtyard of a hotel in Buenos Aires. He was 31 years old.
“We are absolutely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,” they wrote on Instagram. “In time, 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 whom we loved so dearly. The memories we shared with him will forever be treasured. For now, our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans.” Those who loved him alongside us will miss him dearly. We love you, Liam.”
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Formed in 2010 by a panel of “X Factor” judges including Simon Cowell, One Direction quickly became one of the biggest pop groups in the world – having sold 70 million records by 2020.
After the band announced they would be taking an extended hiatus in 2016, each member signed their own recording deals and released at least one studio album as a solo artist.
Malik also posted a photo and message on Instagram, saying: “I found myself speaking to you out loud, hoping you would hear me. I couldn’t help but selfishly think that there were a lot of conversations we should be having in our lives.” life.”
He thanked Payne for his support during some of the “toughest times in his life” and said that although “the two heads butted heads” sometimes because Payne was “stubborn” and “opinionated”, he “secretly respects” Payne as he is.
“I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever,” Malik wrote..
Tomlinson shared a detailed post on Instagram on Thursday saying: “I’m so devastated to write this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was someone I looked up to every day. He was such a positive, funny and kind spirit.
He said the two met when Payne was 16 and he was 18, and that Tomlinson was “immediately blown away by his voice”, and praised him as “an amazing songwriter with a wonderful sense of melody”.
“We often talked about getting back into the studio together to try to recreate the writing chemistry we had built in the band,” Tomlinson wrote.
Payne He had a son in 2017 With former “X Factor” judge Cheryl Cole.
“I want you to know that if Bear needs me I will be the uncle he needs in his life and I will tell him stories about how great his dad is,” Tomlinson wrote. “I wish I had the opportunity to say goodbye and tell you again how much I loved you,” he said.