After canceling the previously scheduled auditions for Britain's Got Talent the day following Liam Payne 's sudden death, Simon Cowell has issued a poignant message to the late One Direction member .
As Parade previously reported, Payne tragically died after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, Oct. 16, according to state police. He was 31 and the father of a young son .
The media personality—who helped organize the group that made Payne a name known across the globe on the reality competition series The X Factor — took to Instagram with a tear-jerking tribute to the late singer.
SIGN UP for Parade's Trending News newsletter & we'll keep you in the know on the viral pop culture moments & celebrity news everyone is talking about
Cowell wrote, "You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens," describing himself as "truly devastated" and "heartbroken."
"And I feel empty," he continued, addressing Payne directly. "And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you."
He went on to describe the late musician as "kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, [and] focused," and reminisced on their first and final meetings.
"I always thought of the 5 of you in the band as brothers," he added. "And reading their messages today I believe you were."
He concluded by sending his "love, thoughts and prayers" to Payne's family.
The show that launched Payne to superstardom issued a "heartbroken" statement via X , writing that Payne was "immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world."
Payne was known for being one of the five singers in the popular X Factor -created boy band One Direction, also including Louis Tomlinson , Harry Styles , Zayn Malik and Niall Horan .
The group, formed in 2010, is known for making hit songs like "What Makes You Beautiful," "Night Changes" and "Best Song Ever" before the band members went their separate ways in 2016.
As for who is responsible for putting the band together, that was largely up for debate until a never-before-seen behind-the-scenes video was released in July 2022 . It showed former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger played a key role in grouping the guys together.
One Direction also issued an official statement as a group mourning the loss of their co-star before the singers individually paid tribute to Payne. Additionally, other former bandmates, Payne's family and that of other 1D members (including Horan's brother and Styles' mom ), as well as former X Factor competitors and countless celebrities have publicly spoken about his untimely death.
Next: Liam Payne Reunited With Former One Direction Member 2 Weeks Before Death
Local News
