Harry Styles is “truly devastated” over the tragic death of his longtime friend and former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne.
“His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it,” the “As It Was” singer, 30, said in a statement via Instagram Thursday.
“Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving.”
Harry Styles said he was “truly devastated” over Liam Payne’s death in a statement shared Thursday. Kevin Winter
“The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend,” Styles continued.
The Grammy winner also said that his “heart breaks” for Payne’s family, his son, Bear, and “all those around the world who knew and loved him as, I did.”
Styles and Payne formed One Direction along with Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan.
The group was created while competing on the UK-based singing competition show “The X Factor” in 2010, and catapulted into stardom, becoming one of the biggest boy bands of all time.
They released hit singles such as “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Best Song Ever” and “Story of My Life.”
“His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it,” Styles wrote of his former bandmate. GC Images
“The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend,” Styles added. Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for Disney
When the famous pop group went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016, however, Payne allegedly struggled behind closed doors with the fact that his solo career had not really taken off.
“Liam struggled with finding his path as a solo artist,” a music insider exclusively told Page Six.
“As overwhelming as One Direction’s fame could be at times, he hoped to replicate aspects of it on his own, which was unattainable, frankly.”
The source added, “Liam was really proud of the boys and all their accomplishments after the split, but he was definitely envious, too. It was hard not to compare himself to them.”
Payne died after falling from a hotel balcony. He was 31. Getty Images for ABA
Styles and Payne were part of the group One Direction along with Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson. PA Images/INSTARimages
The group was created in 2010, saw massive success and then went on hiatus in 2016. FilmMagic
Despite his alleged feelings in private, Payne was always supportive of Styles and his success in public.
In 2020, the “Teardrops” singer defended the “Adore You” crooner when the latter was criticized for wearing a dress on the cover of Vogue.
“I thought it was great,” Payne said on “Capital Breakfast” of the image.
“I think he’s enjoying himself and he’s free to do as he wishes. And, you know, I just think that people don’t need to be so bothered about stuff.”
The British-born pop star also proudly celebrated Styles — along with Horan, 31 — when the “Watermelon Sugar” singer won Album of the Year at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
Payne attempted to launch a solo career. Getty Images for iHeartMedia
He was allegedly envious that he did not see as much success as a solo artist like his former bandmates. WireImage
However, Payne always publicly supported Styles. Getty Images
It was no secret, though, that Payne was battling inner demons, as he had a long history of substance abuse issues, which likely contributed to his untimely death.
On Oct. 16, the “Sunshine” singer fell from the third-story balcony of his room at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, where he had been staying as a guest.
Officials found drug paraphernalia and alcohol in his room after he passed, and they said Payne appeared to be in a state of “semi or total unconsciousness” when he plunged to his death. He was 31.
Payne reportedly acted “erratically” leading up to his fatal fall from a balcony. Snapchat/Liam Payne
It is believed he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of his death. Liam Payne/Snapchat
His cause of death was determined to be from multiple traumas that led to internal and external bleeding, according to a statement from the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office.
Payne’s family released a statement after his passing, saying they were “heartbroken” and added, “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.”
Styles’ mother, Anne Twist, also mourned the loss, writing via Instagram, “Just a boy…” alongside a photo of a broken heart.
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