Liam Payne, of One Direction Fame, Is Mourned by Peers and Fans

The death of Liam Payne, a member of the internationally-renowned boy band One Direction, at 31 has sent a wave of grief worldwide.

Payne was reported to have died after falling off a third-floor balcony of a Buenos Aires hotel Wednesday local time. Authorities are now investigating the circumstances of his death.

In 2010, after entering British talent show The X Factor as a solo act, Payne was handpicked alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson to form a boy band. The five were corralled together to become one of the definitive boy groups of the 2010s, breaking world records, and winning the hearts of millions of fans—known collectively as ”Directioners”—with songs such as “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Night Changes,” and “Story of My Life.” The group eventually went on an extended hiatus in 2016 and its members pursued solo careers, with Malik leaving a year earlier.

Earlier this month, Payne attended his former bandmate Horan’s concert in Argentina. Styles, Malik, Horan, and Tomlinson released a joint statement on Payne’s death on Thursday.

“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 former bandmates said in a post on the official One Direction Instagram account. 

“The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever,” they continued. “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.”

The statement was signed “Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.”

In a separate post on his own Instagram page, Tomlinson shared a photo of him and Payne, saying that he “lost a brother” and promising to be there for Payne’s son, Bear.

“A message to you Liam if you’re listening, I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye,” Tomlinson said in the post’s caption. “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 [the] chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.”

Malik also shared a photo of him and Payne on his personal Instagram page, writing: “Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives. I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.”

“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,” he continued. “I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever.”

Styles also took to Instagram with his own message, saying he was “truly devastated” with Payne’s death, and extending his condolences to the late singer’s family.

“His greatest joy was making people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it,” he wrote. “Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.”

Horan was the final member of the group to share a personal tribute. On Instagram, he said: "I feel so fortunate that I got to see him [Liam] recently. I sadly didn't know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It's heartbreaking."

Payne’s family shared a statement to multiple news outlets, including the BBC, saying, “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.” His family said they’re supporting one another and asked for “privacy and space at this awful time.”

Many of Payne’s colleagues in the music industry have shared messages of condolence online.

Ed Sheeran, who collaborated with Payne on several occasions, posted a brief tribute on Instagram to Payne, saying he was “at a loss for words” and adding: “every memory I have with him is a great one.”

Singer-songwriter Charlie Puth, who worked with Payne previously, took to his Instagram stories. “I am in shock right now,” he wrote. “Liam was always so kind to me. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he’s gone…” Puth added in a later post: “May he rest in peace.”

Music producer Zedd, who collaborated with Payne on the 2017 song “Get Low,” posted to X (formerly Twitter). “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real… absolutely heartbreaking…” Zedd then wrote a post after, saying “life is short and fragile.”

Ty Dolla $ign on his Instagram stories posted clips of Payne. In one he wrote: “Just talked to you 2 days ago my guy. Ima miss u frfr”

American rapper Flavor Flav wrote on X: “RIP to Liam Payne,” commenting that the singer was “much too young.”

“So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing,” wrote American media personality and DJ Paris Hilton on X. “Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”

British singer Olly Murs, who also rose to fame on The X Factor, posted a photo of him and Payne on Instagram. “This news is devastating, am lost for words,” Murs wrote, adding: “to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad.” Meanwhile, Irish musical duo Jedward also posted on X: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear and all the One direction Family”—referring to Payne’s son Bear Grey, 7, with British singer and former X Factor judge Cheryl (née Tweedy). 

Dermot O’Leary, who hosted The X Factor while Payne was a contestant, shared an image of him and Payne on Instagram, with the caption: “The worst news. I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.”

One Direction guitarist Dan Richards also reacted to Payne's death on his Instagram story. "This all feels so surreal," Richards wrote. "Thanks to everyone reaching out, still trying to wrap my head around it all. My thoughts go out to Liam's family at this time."

British singer and television personality Rita Ora, who worked with Payne on the 2018 song “For You,” said she was “devastated” on X. “He had the kindest soul, I will never forget. I loved working with him so much — he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage. This tragic news breaks my heart. Sending all my love and prayers to his family and loved ones. Our song For You takes on a whole new meaning for me now. R.I.P”

Camila Cabello, American singer and songwriter, posted a message on her Instagram story, thanking Payne “for all the joy you brought my friends and i. it really made an impression on me as a young girl to meet a member of a group i loved and have him be so kind. it’s a tragedy to have him gone way too soon.”

James Corden, who formerly hosted The Late Late Show with James Corden, also expressed his grief on Instagram, saying that “talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heartbreaking” and that he will “treasure the moments I got to spend with him.” 

American boy band the Backstreet Boys also paid tribute to Payne. “Words can not express the emotions we are collectively feeling right now,” the group wrote on its Instagram story. “And it seems like the rest of the world is in the same boat. Our hearts go out to Liam’s family, friends, and Directioners around the world. Rest in peace brother.”

Former British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, a close friend of Payne’s, shared photos of the singer on Instagram. “It is too painful to even write this. Liam, you were a true friend,” he wrote in the caption. “True friendship is a rare gift and we hope and assume that gift will last a lifetime. Today my heart breaks for how short life can be.”

Lou Teasdale, who had worked as One Direction’s hair and makeup artist, posted on X after the news of Payne’s death: “Sending you all so much love.”

Anne Twist, Harry Styles’ mother, shared a post on Instagram of a broken heart emoji on a black background, with the caption, “Just a boy…”

Greg Horan, the brother of One Direction’s Niall, shared an image of Payne and a heartfelt statement on Instagram: “To say I’m heartbroken is an understatement,” he wrote. “You will be forever missed Liam words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.”

Other notable celebrities who paid tribute to Payne include Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones. Wood posted on X a video of him performing with Payne on X Factor, writing, “I am shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Liam Payne. It was a pleasure to work with him on our X Factor performance. God bless Liam, thinking of all his loved ones. He will be dearly missed.”

Musician Noah Cyrus posted on her Instagram story that the news was “devastating, awful, heart breaking” and that she was sending love to Payne’s friends and family.

“I’m not gonna ever be able to fully voice how i am feeling but.. I feel so fortunate to have been in the same generation as Liam Payne and the phenomenon of 1D.. Liam you are so loved and will always be loved by so many.”

Directioners also mourned the loss of their idol. Hundreds of fans held a vigil outside the hotel where Payne died, lighting candles and leaving flowers, and a similar outpouring of grief happened online.