Zayn Malik is the latest former member of One Direction to publicly pay his respects to Liam Payne , who tragically died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday. He was 31 years old.
In addition to a joint statement from the music group shared on Oct. 17, Malik took to social media to issue his own personal statement about the devastating loss of his former bandmate.
"Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me," Malik started off his emotional Instagram post on Thursday while sharing an old photo from their One Direction days. "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," he continued of Payne, whom he met on X-Factor when they were formed into the boy band also featuring Harry Styles , Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan . "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."
"Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no f—ks about telling people when they were wrong," Malik said. "Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, 😂 I always secretly respected you for it."
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"When it came to the music Liam, you were 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."
"I was always happy to know, no matter what happened on stage we could always rely on you to know which way to steer the ship next," the "Pillowtalk" artist added.
"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. I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there is no words to justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated."
He concluded, "I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace 🙏🏽 and you know how loved you are."
"Love you bro ❤️" he concluded in the caption of the emotional post.
Next: Harry Styles' Mother and Niall Horan's Brother Pen Heartbreaking Tributes to One Direction Bandmate Liam Payne
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