The four former members of One Direction said on Thursday that they were “completely devastated” by the news that Liam Payne had died after falling from the balcony of a hotel in Argentina.
“In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,” the four former members — Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Harry Styles — said in a statement. “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.”
Tomlinson and Malik posted emotional tributes of their own a day after Payne died.
“Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul,” Tomlinson wrote in a lengthy post that was accompanied by a photo of Payne and him smiling together onstage. “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.”
Tomlinson then pivoted to addressing Payne directly, writing, “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.”
Malik posted a photo of himself and Payne, both much younger and asleep in a car with Malik’s head on Payne’s lap.
“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,” Malik wrote, thanking Payne for his guidance throughout their time together.
