Simon Cowell, the mastermind behind One Direction, is mourning the loss of band member Liam Payne, who tragically passed away at 31 after falling from his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
According to an autopsy report, Payne succumbed to “multiple trauma” and hemorrhaging from the fall, a shocking event that has left his friends and fans reeling.
On Friday, Cowell shared his heartbreak on Instagram, expressing his devastation: “Every tear I have shed is a memory of you.” Cowell described Payne as kind, funny, and deeply passionate about music and his fans.
Payne first auditioned for “The X Factor” at just 14, but it wasn’t until 2010 that Cowell brought him together with Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Niall Horan to form One Direction. Although they finished in third place, they quickly landed a record deal with Cowell’s Syco Music.
Cowell reflected on their journey together, recalling how he encouraged Payne to return after his initial audition. “A lot of people would have given up. You didn’t,” Cowell said.
Last year, Cowell had a heartwarming reunion with Payne, reminiscing about their shared history and how proud he was to be a father to his son, Bear.
“He has your smile and twinkle in his eyes,” Cowell noted, sending love and prayers to Payne’s family during this tough time.
Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, expressed her grief on Instagram, seeking privacy while she navigates her loss. “I loved you unconditionally and completely,” she shared.
The surviving members of One Direction—Styles, Tomlinson, Malik, and Horan—also released a joint statement, expressing their devastation. “We will take time to grieve and process the loss of our brother,” they stated on their social media.