Louis Tomlinson Opens Up for the First Time About Liam Payne’s Death
Even after One Direction went their separate ways, their friendship remained strong
Louis Tomlinson is officially back in music with the release of his new single ‘Lemonade,’ marking the start of a brand-new era for the British singer. But before turning the page, Louis opened up about the creative process behind his upcoming album — and the tough year that inspired it, including the loss of Liam Payne, one of his closest friends and former One Direction bandmates.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone UK, Tomlinson spoke candidly for the first time about how he dealt with Liam’s passing. “Losing Liam was incredibly hard for me — I’d never experienced losing a friend before,” he shared. During One Direction’s final years, Louis and Liam developed a deep bond that went beyond the stage.
As two of the group’s main songwriters — and both still processing Zayn’s departure — they leaned on each other creatively and emotionally. Even after the band went their separate ways, their friendship remained strong. They often supported one another’s projects, showed up to each other’s shows, and stayed in touch through social media. Liam would frequently travel to see Louis perform live, and the two even crossed paths at a few festivals.
.@Louis_Tomlinson‘s Rolling Stone UK cover is here. Pre-order it now: https://t.co/Do70FNsr1i pic.twitter.com/Cha9ADqAsH
— Rolling Stone UK (@RollingStoneUK) October 1, 2025
Just days before Liam Payne’s passing, he faced intense backlash online after being accused of trying to steal the spotlight at Niall Horan’s concert in Argentina. In the days leading up to his death, Liam appeared visibly distressed, and after the tragedy, many fans and media outlets pointed to cyberbullying as a possible factor in his relapse with substances.
“He was a very misunderstood person, I think, from the public’s perspective. If people ever judged his temper or behavior… he was simply someone who wanted to be loved,” Louis shared.
The Pain and Loss of a Friend
During his grieving process, Louis remembers feeling angry at the world — lost at times, and even exposed in ways he didn’t know how to handle.
He recalled a difficult moment when an airline employee asked him for a photo mid-flight. Louis politely declined but offered to sign something instead. The crew member refused. Later, Robbie Williams shared a story about the same man, who told him he was “much nicer” than another celebrity who had once turned down a photo request.
Williams came to that artist’s defense, writing: “He’s a lovely guy — who knows what he was going through that day?” Louis later confirmed that the story was about him and decided to share his side of it. “I was right in the middle of my grief. I felt cross with the world, to be honest,” he said.
The Final Goodbye to One Direction
Louis also took a moment to reflect on the crucial role Liam Payne played in One Direction. For him, Liam wasn’t just another bandmate — he was one of the pillars that held the group together and a big part of why it became such a phenomenon. That’s why, now, Louis admits he can’t imagine a reunion without him.
Maybe it’s still too soon to picture the band back on stage, going from five to four. Perhaps one day, when the pain isn’t so raw and everyone’s had time to heal, the door could open again. But for now, Louis has closed that chapter — the idea of performing as One Direction without someone as vital as Liam simply feels impossible.