Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Harry Styles of One Direction have spoken out in reaction to the passing of Liam Payne. Additionally, the group has shared a joint statement.
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Zayn Malik & Louis Tomlinson Pay Tribute To Liam Payne
On Thursday, October 17, Malik took to Instagram to share a throwback photo of himself and Payne. In the photo, Malik is seen resting on Payne’s lap as Payne places a hand over him. The pair appeared to be sleeping.
Additionally, Malik’s posts included a follow-up slide that featured a lengthy message he penned in tribute to his bandmate.
“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,” Malik wrote. “…Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no f***s 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.”
Malik explained that he “lost a brother” with Payne’s passing.
“…can’t explain what I’d give to just hug you one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly,” Malik wrote. “…there is no words to justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated…”
Read Zayn Malik’s full tribute to Liam Payne by swiping below.
Additionally, Louis Tomlinson took to Instagram around the same time to share his own tribute to Payne. Tomlinson’s post featured a photo of them standing alongside one another on stage.
“I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul… Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band. And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam,” Tomlinson wrote.
Before concluding, Tomlinson shared a message for Payne.
“A message to you Liam if you’re listening,” he wrote. “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…”
Read Tomlinson’s full tribute by clicking on his post below.
One Direction Releases A Joint Statement Followed By Harry Styles
Furthermore, the official Instagram account of One Direction — which also includes bandmates Harry Styles and Niall Horan — released an additional statement in response to Payne’s passing.
“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,” the statement reads. “But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.”
The statement concluded by asserting that the group would treasure their memories with Liam “forever.”
“For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the ones who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly,” the statement added. “We love you Liam…”
Lastly, the statement was signed, “Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.”
About 30 minutes later, Harry Styles took to Instagram to share his own tribute to Payne. Furthermore, Styles shared a photo of Payne sitting on stage along with a lengthy message.
“I am truly devastated by Liam’s passing,” Styles wrote. “His greatest joy was making people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it… He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life…”
Read Style’s full tribute by swiping below.
More Details On The Passing Of Liam Payne
As The Shade Room previously reported, Liam Payne passed away on Wednesday, October 16. The 31-year-old reportedly fell from the third-floor balcony of CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Argentina.
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On Thursday, October 17, authorities in Argentina released preliminary details about Payne’s passing, per The Shade Room. According to AP News, Pablo Policicchio, the communications director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry, stated that Payne allegedly “jumped” from his balcony. However, a subsequent report published by US Weekly asserts that authorities have yet to determine whether his death was intentional or accidental.
Furthermore, the singer’s preliminary autopsy reportedly asserted he passed away from “internal and external hemorrhage.”
