On October 16th, the world witnessed the tragic news of the death of Liam Payne , who was a member of One Direction from 2010 to 2016. The incident occurred after he fell from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires (Argentina), where the artist was staying.
Immediately after the news broke, numerous artists and well-known figures expressed their shock and shared heartfelt reactions. J Balvin, Charlie Puth, Liam Gallagher, and Zedd are among those who paid tribute through messages, photos, and videos. But once it became known that Liam had passed away, all eyes were on his former bandmates: Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles. How did they receive the news? What were their reactions?
While their initial reactions will remain unknown, messages dedicated to their bandmate, who shared years of adventures, successes, and massive concerts with them, are now emerging.
A Joint Message
One Direction, through their official Instagram account, released a joint message on behalf of Zayn, Louis, Niall, and Harry. In this message, they express their sorrow and offer love to Liam’s family:
«We are completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is ready, there w“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. 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.»
This message, signed by the four members of the group, has shaken thousands of fans worldwide.
Louis Tomlinson’s Message
Louis Tomlinson also posted a message on his Instagram account, sharing the pain he feels. The singer begins by recalling how they met when they were just 16 and 18 years old, and how Liam’s voice immediately impressed him: «I’m beyond devastated to be writing this, but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was someone I admired every day, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.»
Louis also remembers how they even talked about reuniting in the studio to relive those times when they worked together.
«Liam, in my opinion, was the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for songwriting. The list is endless. Thank you for shaping us, Liam,» he added.
The singer continues, explaining how lucky he feels to have had Liam in his life and how those memories will always stay with him: «I would have loved to share the stage with you again, but it wasn’t meant to be.»
In closing, he makes a promise to Liam’s son, Bear: «If he ever needs me, I’ll be the uncle he needs in his life and will tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.»
Zayn Malik’s Words
Zayn also wanted to say goodbye to his One Direction brother. The singer shared a photo of the two of them hugging as teenagers. Alongside the touching image, Zayn wrote:
«Liam, I’ve found myself talking to you out loud, hoping you can hear me. I can’t help but selfishly think we had so many more conversations left in us. I never got to thank you for supporting me during some of the hardest times of my life.»
The singer recalls how, as a 17-year-old, Liam was there for him when he missed home, highlighting Liam’s optimistic nature. He fondly remembers the thoughtful way Liam handled their disagreements, noting his respect for how Liam always stood his ground.
«When it came to music, Liam, you were the most qualified in every way,» Zayn reminisces. «I lost a brother when you left us, and I can’t explain how much I’d give to hug you one last time, say goodbye properly, and tell you how much I loved and respected you. I love you, brother,» the artist concluded.
A Band That Marked Generations
One Direction was not just any band. Formed on The X Factor in 2010, they quickly gained success, selling millions of albums and amassing a global fanbase. This was evident at the 2014 40 Principales Awards, where Zayn, Niall, Harry, Louis, and Liam attended to collect two awards and perform «Steal My Girl.» Hundreds of fans gathered outside every venue they visited, hoping to snap a picture with one of them or simply touch them.
Liam’s history with LOS40 is even longer. In 2012, he won the Best New Artist award with the band at the LOS40 Music Awards. The same thing happened in 2013, in the Best Album category for ‘Take Me Home.’ After the 2014 awards, Liam was nominated solo for Best Artist or Group and Best Music Video.
The news that broke on October 16th has left a profound shock around the world, and many are still struggling to grasp that Liam Payne is no longer with us. But his voice will never be silenced. Rest in peace, Liam.
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