On October 16th, 2024, Argentinian media broke out massive breaking news. Liam Payne, singer, and songwriter for One Direction, allegedly fell off a third-story balcony in Buenos Aires Argentina. the world stopped ticking for a moment. a teen idol that died at age 31, this can’t be.
Liam Payne, born August 29 1993 in Wolverhampton, England, started his career when he appeared on the British show X Factor. He first went in 2008 as a solo attendee and was told to return in the future. Payne returned in 2010 and what would turn into the global sensation of One Direction. Payne would be one of the members who would write the most songs for the band. After One Direction’s hiatus, Payne became a solo singer. ‘ Strip that Down’ was Payne’s debut single in 2019, the music video has achieved over 300 million views. ‘ Strip that Down’ has since recharted following the passing of Payne.
In March 2024, Liam teased a new era of music beginning with his new single ‘ Teardrops.’ The song peaked at number 3 following the passing of Payne. Payne was due to drop a new album in the following months but was dropped from his label, Universe Music. Teardrops would be the last song Payne would release. Fans have started petitions to have the album be released posthumously.
Payne attended his band member Niall Horan’s concert on the 3rd of October. Horan was on his tour ‘ The Show’ and had a show in Argentina. Both Payne and Horan snapped a selfie showing their friendship. Payne and his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, were staying at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel. Police were alerted when hotel staff were making calls about a ‘erratic man’ who was destroying the room. The ‘man’ was later Payne but these allegations later clashed with a fan’s interaction saying Payne was fine and appeared sober. Forensic experts later said that Payne could have fallen unconscious and accidentally fell to his death.
Directioners expressed their grief and condolences to his family and friends. The One Direction members, including Zayn Malik, released a joint statement via the band’s account the next day.
“ We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam. [Signed] Louis, Zayn, Niall, and Harry.”
Louis Tomlinson wrote a message, “ I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul. I first met Liam when he was 16, and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but most importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for.
Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band. And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experiences from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing, The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam. A message to Liam if you’re listening, I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have you for life. I would have loved you to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t made to be. I want you to know if Bear ever needs me u will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was. I wish I got a chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you. Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X.”
Zayn Malik wrote a message, “ Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me. I can’t help but think selfishly that there were so many more conversations for us to have in our lives. I never got to say thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. 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 ! about telling people they were wrong. Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, I always secretly respected you for it. 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. 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 that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. 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.”
Zayn was due to start his tour, Stairway to the Sky, for the US leg of the tour but postponed it to January 2025. At the end of his shows, Malik posts a tribute to Payne on the screen: “ Liam Payne. 1993-2024. Love you bro [with a red heart].”
Niall Horan wrote a message: “ I’m absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn’t feel real. Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure. All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness. We got to live out our wildest dreams togeter and I will christ every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime. I feel so fortunate that I had to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking. My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola, and of course his son Bear. Thank you for everything Payno. Love you brother. Nialler.
Harry Styles wrote a message, “ I am truly devastated by Liam’s passing. His greatest joy was making other people happy and it was a honour to be alongside him as he did it. Liam lived wide ope with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend. My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola, and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did. Harry.
Payne’s funeral took place on November 20th in Buckinghamshire. In light of tragedy, fans set out memorials for Payne all around the world. Fans set a memorial at the hotel he was staying. The closest memorial site from Downey was in Long Beach. All of One Direction’s albums recharted the following weeks of Payne’s passing. ‘ Night Changes’ and ‘ You and I’ reached peaks on the music charts. One Direction increased listeners and became the 49th most listened-to artist on Spotify.
The CasaSur Palermo hotel was heavily investigated by police amid Payne’s passing. There have been arrests being made. A companion of Payne’s, a hotel staff, and a potential dealer; two more staff employees have been arrested recently. They are charged with ‘abandonment of a person followed by death.’
Please check up on your loved ones as much as you can. Remember to be kind because you never know what somebody is going through. Live every day as if it’s the last.