Backstreet Boys, Steve Aoki, Rita Ora, Charlie Puth Among Those Paying Tribute to Liam Payne: “He Had the Kindest Soul”
Charlie Puth, DJ Zedd, Rita Ora, Backstreet Boys and his fellow One Direction bandmates are among the celebrities paying tribute to Liam Payne, who died tragically Wednesday at 31.
The former One Direction member fell from the third-floor balcony of a hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina, according to state police, per ABC and CNN.
More from The Hollywood Reporter
He was best known for his work in the boy band made up of Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik. He went on to have a fairly successful solo music career after leaving the band in 2016. Payne’s debut single, “Strip That Down” featuring Quavo, was released that year. He also collaborated with artists such as DJ Zedd and J Balvin.
Payne’s family, including mother Karen and father Geoff, released a statement Thursday following the news. “We are heartbroken,” they said, according to the BBC. “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
Styles, Horan, Tomlinson and Malik shared in a joint statement, “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.”
Kate Cassidy, Payne’s girlfriend of two years and who had left Argentina days prior to his death, wrote on her Instagram stories, “I have been at a complete loss. Nothing about the past few days have felt real. I ask and pray that you’ll give me the grace and space to navigate this in private. Liam, my angel. You are everything. I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continued to love you for the rest of my life. I love you Liam.”
Charlie Puth wrote on his Instagram Story: “I am in shock right now. 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 is gone.” He shared a video of the two artists when they were young with the words “I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry.”
The Vampire Diaries star Paul Wesley posted a photo of him and Payne on his Instagram Story and wrote, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of my friend Liam. Such a tragedy. Far too young.”
Camila Cabello also took to her Instagram Story to share a tribute to the artist. “Thank you Liam for all the joy you brought my friends and I,” she wrote over a black screen. “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.”
“I loved one direction with an all-consuming force when I was younger,” Halsey wrote, in part, on Tumblr. “It hurts deeply to mourn someone you were a massive fan of as teenager, and became a peer of as an adult.”
Lou Teasdale, One Direction’s former hairdresser, wrote on Twitter, “sending you all so much love.”
“This all feels so surreal,” One Direction guitarist Dan Richards wrote on social media. “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.”
Oasis member Liam Gallagher wrote to his followers: “Life is precious kids and you only get to do it ONCE go easy.”
Read more tributes to Payne below.
Best of The Hollywood Reporter
Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Solve the daily Crossword
