Tributes are flowing in after the news former One Direction member Liam Payne has died.
The singer died after falling from the third floor of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina, according to state police, as reported by CNN. He was 31.
Payne became a household name in 2010 after the boy band was born on reality tv series The X Factor, with the show today mourning the singer’s death.
READ MORE: One topic you’re banned from ever asking superstar about
“We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne,” the program said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
“He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world.
“Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him.”
Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie Wood also shared his thoughts on X, having performed with One Direction on X Factor.
“I am shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Liam Payne,” Wood wrote alongside their performance clip.
“It was a pleasure to work with him on our X Factor performance. God bless Liam, thinking of all his loved ones. He will be dearly missed.”
TV personality Dermot O’Leary, who hosted the series of X Factor Payne was in, called his death “the worst news”.
“I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra,” O’Leary recalled on Instagram.
“He just loved to sing. He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
Boyzone star Mikey Graham paid tribute to Payne while blasting the music industry for not doing better.
“Rip Liam Payne. Such tragic news,” he began on X.
“I think it would be a wise move for record companies to have psychologists on their books from now on in his memory as a duty of care for the vulnerability of their young talent.
“Fame can be very damaging especially in today’s world. Lots of money. Nobody to help. Lots of yes people. Nobody honest.”
Fellow boy band Backstreet Boys shared their shock at the news.
“Words can not express the emotions we are collectively feeling right now, and it seems like the rest of the world is in the same boat,” they said in a message on X.
“Our hearts go out to Liam’s family, friends, and Directioners around the world. Rest in peace brother.”
In a message on X, Paris Hilton has sent love and condolences to those closest to him.
“So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend,” she wrote.
Before any of the remaining One Direction members spoke out, Harry Styles’ mother Anne Twist shared her gut-wrenching reaction to the news.
Taking to Instagram, she posted a broken heart emoji alongside three heartbreaking words: “Just a boy.”
Singer Olly Murs, who also started out as a contestant on The X Factor, remembered Payne for sharing the “same passions” as him.
“This news is devastating, am lost for words 😣,” Murs wrote on Instagram, sharing a photo of the pair back in the day mid-laugh.
“We always had a good laugh when we saw each other, sometimes the catch ups were only short and sweet but when we did it was mostly about how annoyingly good his hair always looked, or our love for Becks, the old XF days and the tour we shared together.”
Murs continued: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x am thinking of them!”
DJ Jonas Blue said he is “beyond sad” after hearing his collaborator and friend died.
The DJ worked with Payne and Canadian singer Lennon Stella in 2018 on the track Polaroid.
Blue shared some photos captioned, “Beyond sad to hear this news. Rest well my friend @liampayne 😔💙”
Blue and Payne’s collaborator Lennon Stella also remembered the late singer with a photo posted of the pair performing together on stage.
“Oh Liam,” she wrote to her Instagram story with a single red heart. “Rest easy.”
Flavor Flav wrote on X, “RIP to Liam Payne,,, much too young.”
Canadian actor William Shatner, of Star Trek fame, sent some love to Payne’s nearest and dearest.
“Condolences to the family of Liam Payne,” he wrote in a tweet.
Singer Charlie Puth remembered Payne for being “always so kind”.
The See You Again singer wrote to his Instagram stories, “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with.”
Puth worked as a writer on Payne’s song Bedroom Floor.
“I can not believe he is gone…” Puth said, sharing an old video of Payne gifting him a personalised shirt.
“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace,” the singer added in a second story.
German DJ and record producer Zedd, who worked with Payne on the track Get Low, shared several photos of them together over the years to Instagram with a single heartbroken emoji.
Ty Dolla $ign said he had recently spoken to the star. The rapper reshared a video of the One Direction star doing karaoke to his Instagram story along with a heartbreaking message.
“Just talked to you 2 days ago my guy,” he wrote.
Singer Mabel remembered Payne for always giving her “big brotherly advice” in an emotional post to her Instagram story.
“For so many years I always knew I could call you for support and big brotherly advice but now you’re gone…” the pop star wrote, sharing a pic of her and Payne.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Liams [sic] family and friends during this time,” she continued, adding “you’ll be missed.”
Olympic Gold medallist Dame Denise Lewis shared a single word reaction to the news of Payne’s death, writing “devastated” and #liam on her Instagram story.
Lewis won gold in the heptathlon at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Corbyn Besson, who was part of the American boy band Why Don’t We, said he was “speechless” over Payne’s death.
Sharing an old photo with Payne, he wrote, “Damn this liam payne news got me speechless… looked up to 1D so much during the wdw days,” he wrote on X, telling fans “remind your friends/family that you love them today and every day”.
Some stars paid tribute to the singer under an old post of Payne’s from May.
American singer Todrick Hall commented, “Heartbreaking 💔”, while actress Aurélie Moeremans wrote, “Rest in peace 😢”.
“Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear and all the One direction Family RIP @LiamPayne,” Irish pop duo Jedward wrote, acknowledging Payne’s former partner, singer Cheryl Cole, and son Bear, seven.
READ MORE: One of the world’s most glamorous women is coming to one Aussie city
For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
MTV said they were “deeply saddened to learn of Liam Payne’s tragic passing today. During this difficult time, our hearts remain with his family, loved ones, and fans,” they said.
Payne found fame in 2010 on the reality singing show The X Factor which formed the boy band One Direction, comprised of members Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Payne.
While the group placed third on the series, it found enormous success after the show, starting with their debut single What Makes You Beautiful, part of their album Up All Night which made it to number one on the Billboard 200 and launched them to superstardom.
After the band went on hiatus in 2016, Payne launched his solo career. He released his debut album LP1 in 2019, featuring hit single Strip That Down.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
