The former members of One Direction have broken their silence following fellow member Liam Payne’s death. On Thursday, One Direction’s official Instagram account released a statement on behalf of Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik addressing the tragic death of Liam Payne, who died on Wednesday at age 31.
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,” read the statement, written in white text on a black background. “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.”
One Direction was formed in 2010, when, after each member competed individually on the UK singing competition program The X Factor, Payne was handpicked by Simon Cowell and selected to form a boy band alongside Styles, Horan, Tomlinson, and Malik. One Direction went on to become a pop music phenomenon, becoming one of the best-selling boy bands of all time, releasing five studio albums and spawning hits like “What Makes You Beautiful” “Story of My Life,” and “Little Things.” They went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016.
The statement continued: “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.” It was signed, “Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.”
Tomlinson was the first former One Directioner to release a solo tribute to Payne. “I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother,” he captioned a photo of himself performing along side Payne on Instagram. “Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.”
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In the tribute, Tomlinson called Payne “the most vital part of One Direction” and said that they “often spoke of getting back in the studio to try to recreate the writing chemistry we had built as a band.” He ended his tribute with a direct address to Payne and a note to Bear, Payne’s 7-year-old son with ex-girlfriend Cheryl. “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 chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you,” Tomlinson wrote. “Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X”
Hours later, Malik released his own tribute to Payne on Instagram, which began with a photo of himself and Payne leaning on each other while asleep. In the next slide, Malik shared his feelings about Payne’s untimely passing. “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,” he began. “I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.”
Malik continued, noting that Payne’s sensible, headstrong, and opinionated personality caused the two to butt heads at times. “I always secretly respected you for it,” he wrote, after a crying laughing emoji. As for music, Malik said that Payne as “the most qualified in every sense.” “I knew nothing in comparison. I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional,” he wrote.
“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tel you that I loved and respected you dearly,” Malik wrote. He ended his emotional message with a note to Payne: “I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and at peace and you know how loved you are.”
He signed off with a simple message: “Love you bro.”
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