In the wake of Liam Payne’s death, the members of One Direction are mourning their “brother.” Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles said they are “devastated” by his death in a joint message from the band’s long-dormant Instagram account. “The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever,” they wrote.
Payne had gone to Argentina to see Horan’s concert October 2, before falling from his third-story balcony at a Buenos Aires hotel on October 16. He said on his Snapchat story that he and Horan “have a lot to talk about.” In their statement, the band members asked for privacy “to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly,” noting they would speak individually when they were ready. “For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us,” the band said. “We will miss him terribly.”
Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik have all also commemorated Payne in individual posts. Zayn Malik also dedicated the last song of his first concert since Payne’s death to his former bandmate. Payne’s family reflected on “his kind, funny, and brave soul,” while collaborators including Zedd have also honored the singer. Below, tributes to Liam Payne from members of One Direction so far.
Niall Horan
Niall Horan wrote that Payne’s death “just doesn’t feel real” in an October 18 Instagram post. “Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious,” he wrote. “He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.” Horan added that he was remembering “all the laughs that we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things.” “The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime,” he continued.
Horan also addressed Payne’s recent trip to Argentina to see him perform on tour, just weeks before his death. “I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently,” Horan wrote. “I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking.”
Harry Styles
Harry Styles said he was “truly devastated” by Payne’s death in an Instagram post on October 17. “His greatest joy was making people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it,” he wrote. Styles went on to remember Payne’s joy. “Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious,” he wrote. “He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving.” He added that his time with Payne “will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life,” and he “will miss him always.”
Zayn Malik
Zayn Malik said he had “so many more conversations” to have with Payne in an October 17 Instagram post. “I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life,” he wrote. “When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved.” Malik added that Payne was “headstrong, opinionated, and gave no fucks about telling people when they were wrong. Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, 😂 I always secretly respected you for it.”
“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly,” Malik went on, adding he was “beyond devastated.” He concluded “I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace 🙏🏽 and you know how loved you are.”
Malik postponed several dates of his “Stairway to the Sky” tour in the wake of Payne’s death. At his first show back Zayn dedicated the night’s final song, “Stardust,” to his former bandmate. The words “Love you bro” were projected over the stage, as well as Payne’s birth and death year.
Louis Tomlinson
Louis Tomlinson remembered Payne as “the kind brother I’d longed all my life for” in an October 17 Instagram post. “Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul,” he wrote. He paid particular tribute to Payne’s musical talent, calling him “the most vital part of One Direction.” “Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody,” Tomlinson wrote. “We often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band.”
Tomlinson concluded his post with a message directly to Payne:
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.
I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.
Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X