Liam Payne, a former member of the famous boy band One Direction, has passed away at the age of 31 while in Argentina.
His bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik said they are “devastated” by the news, adding, “The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.”
Liam first rose to fame on The X Factor in 2010, where the judges decided to form One Direction by bringing him and four other contestants together. Though the group did not win the competition, they quickly became one of the most popular bands in the world. They released hit songs, toured globally, and gained millions of fans. Even after the band took a break in 2016, Liam continued to have a successful solo career.
Harry Styles described their years together as “some of the most cherished” of his life, while Niall Horan called Liam’s passion and energy “infectious.” Louis Tomlinson said Liam felt like “the kind brother I’d longed for,” and Zayn Malik shared a photo of the two of them as young friends.
Fans from Argentina to Liam’s hometown of Wolverhampton, UK, have been gathering to honour his memory. Famous musicians like Rita Ora and Charlie Puth also shared their sadness and fond memories of Liam, praising him for his kindness and joyful spirit.
The X Factor called Liam “immensely talented” and said he would leave a “lasting legacy” on music and fans around the world. Liam’s family shared that he will be remembered for his “kind, funny, and brave soul.”
