Liam Payne’s death: One Direction members left ‘beyond devastated’

Liam Payne's former One Direction bandmates have expressed their profound grief in joint and individual statements following the singer's tragic death on Wednesday.

Payne, 31, passed away in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony. An autopsy report released on Thursday indicated that he died from multiple serious injuries, including "internal and external bleeding" caused by the fall.

The remaining One Direction members—Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik—released a joint statement on social media late Thursday afternoon.

“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,” they wrote on Instagram. “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 bandmates expressed that they would forever cherish their memories with Payne and sent heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and fans. “We love you, Liam,” they concluded.

Louis Tomlinson

Following the group's statement, Tomlinson was the first to share his individual tribute to Payne on social media. He described Payne as a role model and "a positive, funny, and kind soul."

“I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18; I was instantly amazed by his voice, but more importantly, as time went on, I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed for all my life,” Tomlinson, 32, shared. “Liam was an incredible songwriter with a great sense of melody. We often talked about getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we built up in the band.”

Tomlinson regarded Payne as “the most vital part of One Direction” and expressed gratitude for how he shaped the band. He also addressed a personal message to Payne, saying, “if you’re listening.”

Tomlinson expressed feeling “beyond lucky” to have had Payne in his life but admitted he is “really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye.”

“Reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life,” he continued. “I would have loved to share the stage with you again, but it wasn’t to be.”

Despite having had a sometimes tense relationship while in One Direction, with Payne describing their animosity in a 2022 interview on Logan Paul’s podcast Impaulsive, Tomlinson defended him later, criticizing the podcast hosts for being “disrespectful.” Tomlinson stated that he and Payne grew closer after One Direction went on hiatus in 2015.

Zayn Malik

Malik revealed that he has been “talking out loud” to Payne since learning of his death.

“I can’t help but think selfishly that there are so many more conversations for us to have in our lives,” Malik, 31, wrote. “I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.”

He reminisced about how, as a 17-year-old feeling homesick, Payne was always there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile. “You would always let me know that you were my friend and that I loved,” he recalled.

Despite their frequent arguments, Malik stated he always secretly respected Payne. “I always secretly respected you for it,” he revealed.

Malik considered Payne to be the most “qualified” musician in One Direction. “I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain what I would give to just hug you one last time and say goodbye properly, telling you that I loved and respected you dearly,” he concluded. “I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever; there are no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated.”

Malik abruptly left One Direction in 2015, and the remaining band members continued for several months before announcing their hiatus. He later reflected on his time in the band, expressing gratitude but wishing he had enjoyed the experience more.

Harry Styles

Styles shared a brief statement about Payne on Instagram, expressing his “truly devastated” feelings over the loss.

“His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it,” Styles, 30, wrote. “Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve; he had an infectious energy for life.”

“He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving,” Styles continued. “The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life.”

Styles also expressed heartbreak for Payne’s family, son, and all those who loved him, saying, “as I did.” He has often spoken positively about his time in One Direction, attributing much of his solo success to the band’s development.

Niall Horan

Horan was the last One Direction member to post a tribute to Payne and had the most recent personal interaction with him, having attended Horan’s concert in Argentina just two weeks prior.

In a social media statement on Friday, Horan, 31, expressed being “devastated by the passing of my amazing friend, Liam.” He felt “fortunate” to have seen Payne recently, adding, “I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking.”

Horan remarked that Payne’s death “just doesn’t feel real.”

“Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious,” he continued. “He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.”

“Remembering all the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keeps coming to mind through the sadness,” Horan noted. “We got to live out our wildest dreams together, and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime.”

Niall extended his best wishes to Payne’s family and expressed gratitude for “everything.” In a 2023 interview, he reflected on how One Direction “feels like it’s a separate life now,” but expressed gratitude for having maintained a good outlook.

Who Was Liam Payne?

The members of One Direction were formed in 2010 during the U.K. singing competition The X Factor, where judges like Simon Cowell paired the then-teenage boys into a group.

Payne had auditioned for The X Factor two years earlier but was eliminated early on. His successful second attempt at 16 positioned him as a leader among the five members, known for their energetic antics.

One Direction’s rise to fame was meteoric. Until the band announced its hiatus in 2015, their faces were commonly seen on the bedroom walls of teenagers worldwide.

Today, those fans are mourning the loss of their connection with Payne, alongside the band members who have lost a beloved "brother."