Liam Payne‘s former One Route bandmates have launched joint and particular person statements saying they’re “utterly devastated” by the singer’s premature demise on Wednesday.
Payne, 31, died in Buenos Aires, Argentina after he fell from a third-floor lodge balcony. An post-mortem report launched Thursday revealed Payne died of a number of severe accidents and “inside and exterior bleeding” because of the balcony fall.
The surviving One Route bandmates — Harry Kinds, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik — first printed a joint assertion to social media late Thursday afternoon.
“We’re utterly devastated by the information of Liam’s passing,” the band wrote on Instagram. “In time, and when everybody is ready to, there shall be extra to say. However for now, we’ll take a while to grieve and course of the lack of our brother, who we beloved dearly.”
The previous boy banders mentioned they might treasure their recollections with Payne perpetually, and despatched nicely needs to his household, buddies and their followers.
“We love you Liam,” the bandmates signed off.
One Route’s joint assertion concerning the demise of bandmate Liam Payne, posted Oct. 17, 2024.
Instagram @onedirection
Louis Tomlinson
After the discharge of One Route’s joint assertion, the bandmates slowly shared particular person tributes to Payne on their social media accounts.
First to put up was Tomlinson, who referred to as Payne a job mannequin and “a optimistic, humorous, and sort soul.”
“I first met Liam when he was 16 and I used to be 18, I used to be immediately amazed by his voice however extra importantly as time went on I acquired an opportunity to see the sort brother I’d longed all my life for,” Tomlinson, 32, wrote. “Liam was an unbelievable track author with an incredible sense of melody, we frequently spoke of getting again within the studio collectively to attempt to recreate the writing chemistry we had constructed up within the band.”
Tomlinson referred to as Payne “essentially the most important a part of One Route” and thanked him for shaping the band.
The singer then prolonged a private message to Payne, “for those who’re listening.”
Tomlinson mentioned he’s “past fortunate” to have had Payne in his life however is “actually scuffling with the concept of claiming goodbye.”
“Reminiscing about all of the 1000’s of fantastic recollections we had collectively is a luxurious I believed I’d have with you for all times,” he continued. “I’d have beloved to share the stage with you once more nevertheless it wasn’t to be.”
Payne and Tomlinson have each admitted to having an sometimes tense relationship whereas they have been members of One Route. Throughout an notorious interview on Logan Paul’s podcast Impaulsive, Payne in 2022 mentioned he and Tomlinson despised each other to the purpose of bodily arguments.
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Although Payne’s Impaulsive interview was not well-received by One Route followers, Tomlinson later defended his bandmate and mentioned the podcast hosts have been “disrespectful” and took benefit of Payne, who had relapsed on his sobriety.
Tomlinson mentioned he and Payne grew to become nearer buddies after One Route introduced its hiatus in 2015.
Zayn Malik
Malik mentioned he’s been “speaking out loud” to Payne since information of his demise.
“I can’t assist however assume selfishly that there are such a lot of extra conversations for us to have in our lives.” Malik, 31, wrote. “I by no means acquired to thanks for supporting me via a few of the most troublesome instances in my life.”
“Once I was lacking house as a 17 12 months previous child you’d at all times be there with a optimistic outlook and reassuring smile and let me know that you simply have been my pal and that I beloved,” he remembered.
Malik mentioned he admired Payne, even supposing they “butted heads” usually of their youth.
“I at all times secretly revered you for it,” Malik revealed of their arguments.
The Pillowtalk singer mentioned Payne was at all times essentially the most “certified” musician and member of One Route.
“I misplaced a brother while you left us and might’t clarify to you what I’d give to only provide you with a hug one final time and say goodbye to you correctly and let you know that I beloved and revered you dearly,” Malik concluded. “I’ll cherish all of the recollections I’ve with you in my coronary heart perpetually, there isn’t a phrases that justify or clarify how I really feel proper now apart from past devastated.”
Malik instantly left One Route in 2015, and the band members continued for a number of months with out him earlier than saying their hiatus.
He and Payne had a tumultuous relationship, which Payne spoke about — and later apologized for — on the Impaulsive podcast.
Earlier this 12 months, Malik mentioned he was grateful to be part of One Route, however wished he had “loved” the expertise extra in his youthful years.
“I’m grateful that I’m in a position to be happier now,” Zayn mentioned in an interview.
Harry Kinds
Kinds shared a brief assertion about Payne to Instagram on Thursday and mentioned he’s “really devastated” by his bandmate’s demise.
“His best pleasure was making different folks blissful, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it,” Kinds, 30, wrote. “Liam lived huge open, together with his coronary heart on his sleeve, he had an power for all times that was infectious.”
“He was heat, supportive, and extremely loving,” Kinds mentioned of Payne. “The years we spent collectively will perpetually stay among the many most cherished years of my life.”
Kinds mentioned his “coronary heart breaks” for Payne’s members of the family, his son and “all these world wide who knew him and beloved him, as I did.”
Liam Payne and Harry Kinds of One Route carry out onstage through the 2013 American Music Awards on Nov. 24, 2013 in Los Angeles.
Kevin Winter/Getty Pictures
Kinds has usually spoken positively about his expertise in One Route and has credited the band’s growth for his solo success.
In a 2022 interview with Zane Lowe, forward of the discharge of his album Harry’s Home, Kinds reminisced concerning the One Route years. He recalled the primary time the bandmates’ photograph collectively was printed in a neighborhood newspaper, and the way “blissful” the then-teenagers have been over the little success.
Niall Horan
The final One Route member to share a tribute to Payne was Horan, who was additionally the band member to fulfill Payne in particular person most not too long ago.
Two weeks forward of his demise, Payne attended Horan’s stadium live performance in Argentina. Payne was seen dancing in a personal field on the venue forward of and through the present, then met with Horan afterward.
In a press release posted to social media Friday, Horan mentioned he’s “devastated by the passing of my superb pal, Liam.”
Horan, 31, mentioned he feels “lucky” to have seen Payne not too long ago.
“I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him, I’d be saying goodbye perpetually,” he wrote. “It’s heartbreaking.”
Horan mentioned Payne’s demise “simply doesn’t really feel actual.”
“Liam had an power for all times and a ardour for work that was infectious,” he continued. “He was the brightest in each room and at all times made everybody really feel blissful and safe.”
“All of the laughs we had through the years, generally concerning the easiest of issues, hold coming to thoughts via the unhappiness,” Horan wrote. “We acquired to dwell out our wildest desires collectively and I’ll cherish each second we had perpetually. The bond and friendship we had doesn’t occur usually in a lifetime.”
Niall prolonged nicely needs to Payne’s household and thanked his bandmate for “every thing.”
In 2023, Horan mentioned One Route “feels prefer it’s a separate life now.”
Horan mentioned he has “a superb outlook on issues, wanting again” and was grateful he “didn’t lose the plot alongside the best way.”
Who was Liam Payne?
The members of One Route met in 2010 on the U.Okay. singing competitors The X Issue, when judges together with Simon Cowell paired the then-teenage boys collectively in a gaggle act.
Payne had already auditioned for The X Issue two years prior however was eradicated early on. His profitable second try at 16 years previous positioned Payne as a frontrunner among the many 5 One Route boys, recognized for his or her rowdy shenanigans.
One Route’s success was explosive. Till the band introduced its hiatus in 2015, the members’ faces might generally be discovered plastered on the bed room partitions of youngsters world wide.
At this time, these followers are mourning the demise of their parasocial relationships with Payne, alongside the One Route members, who misplaced a beloved “brother.”
