Niall Horan has paid tribute to fellow One Direction bandmate Liam Payne following his death at age 31, saying: “I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever.”
A joint statement was released by all four members Thursday before individual posts were made by Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson on their personal social media accounts. Horan wrote on his Instagram on Friday after Payne attended the Irishman’s concert in South America just two weeks prior.
“I’m absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam,” Horan said. “It just doesn’t feel real. Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.”
He continued: “All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness. 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. I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking. My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear.”
“Thank you for everything, Payno. Love you brother. Nialler”.
Payne died in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday night after local police said he fell from a hotel balcony. Buenos Aires police said Payne’s fall resulted in “extremely serious injuries” and medics confirmed his death on the spot.
The Buenos Aires Security Ministry later told the Associated Press that Payne “had jumped from the balcony of his room,” and that police responded to an emergency call warning of an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.” Doctors eventually reported the cause of death as “polytrauma, internal and external hemorrhage,” according to a statement sent to The Hollywood Reporter by Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office No. 14.
Popstar Styles said he was “devastated” by the news. “His greatest joy was making other 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.”
Tomlinson promised to be an uncle to Payne’s seven-year-old son, Bear, whom he shares with ex-girlfriend Cheryl Cole. The singer said he was “beyond devastated” to have lost his bandmate, who “was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody.” Tomlinson wrote: “We often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and re-create the writing chemistry we had built up in the band…. 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.”
Malik said he has found himself talking out lout to Payne since his death, “hoping you can hear me.” The Pillowtalk singer wrote: “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. When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved.”
He continued: “Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated and gave no fucks 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…. 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.”
The band formed on the U.K. X-Factor in 2010 and went on to place third in the competition. They went on to become one of the best-selling boy bands of all time, achieving hit songs including “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Story of My Life,” “Little Things” and “Steal My Girl.” One Direction released five albums, Up All Night (2011), Take Me Home (2012), Midnight Memories (2013), Four (2014) and Made in the A.M. (2015).
They went on indefinite hiatus in 2016, shortly after Malik left the band.
