Niall Horan has spoken out for the first time since the tragic death of former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne.
“I'm so devastated by the passing of my wonderful friend Liam. It just doesn't seem real,” says the 'Slow Hands' singer, 31. This was announced in an Instagram post on Friday morning..
“Liam had an energy for life and a contagious passion for his work. He was the brightest person in any room and always made everyone feel happy and at ease.”
While mourning his friend's death, Horan recalled “all the laughs” they had over the years, saying, “Together we were able to realize our wildest dreams. I want to cherish this moment forever.”
“Our bond and friendship is something that doesn't happen over and over again in a lifetime.”
In an emotional statement accompanied by an old photo of Payne riding Horan's back, he expressed how “lucky” he felt to recently meet his former bandmate.
“Sadly, after we said goodbye and hugged him that night, we didn't know we would be saying goodbye forever. It's heartbreaking,” Horan said, sending his love and condolences to Payne's family. He concluded his post by expressing this.
Horan and Payne were members of the popular boy band alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson.
Horan, the “Strip That Down” singer, was the last of the group to see Payne live, as she had just flown to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to see the former “Voice” coach's performance on Oct. 2. The person was probably Horan.
Payne posted photos and videos on social media before watching Horan sing at Movistar Arena.
“I thought I’d go over and say hi,” he said. said in a Snapchat video. before the concert. “Me and Niall haven't seen each other in a long time. We talked. There are many things I want to talk about. And I would like to work out some things with the boy. ”
Payne clarified that there was “no bad vibes” but that he still “wanted to talk” with Horan.
The “Teardrops” singer and his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, I saw you dancingyou can sing and chat with fans while watching the show in your VIP suite.
Payne later shared a video of Horan's performance on his Snapchat page, praising his longtime friend, saying he was “so proud.”
The late singer-songwriter also posted a sweet selfie of the two with the caption, “Reunion ❤️.”
Horan finished the tour in Bogota, Colombia on October 9, but Payne and Cassidy remained in Buenos Aires to continue their vacation. She returned to her home in Florida on October 14, but her lover remained in the Argentine capital.
Payne died on October 16 after falling from the balcony of her third-floor room at the Casasul Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires. He was 31 years old.
The State Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office told Page Six the next day that Payne died from multiple injuries that caused internal and external bleeding.
Authorities have not said whether the fall was accidental or intentional, nor have they commented on the star's mental state before his death. However, drug paraphernalia and alcohol were found in the destroyed hotel room.
Payne was reportedly “acting erratically” before his death, breaking a laptop in the lobby before being taken back to his room.
The hotel manager then called emergency services.
According to phone records, the manager told the operator, “There's a customer who's high and drunk, and if he's conscious, he's destroying the room, so please send someone.''
Police officers were on their way to the hotel before Payne died, but by the time they arrived, they had already fallen to their death in the courtyard.
“We arrived in time to try to resuscitate him, but there was nothing we could do,” the head of the state emergency medical system said at the time.
Payne's family reacted to the loss the next day, expressing how “heartbroken” they were.
In a statement, loved ones said: “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we will never forget his kind, funny and brave soul.” “We are supporting each other as much as we can as a family and ask for privacy and space during this terrible time.”
Payne shot to fame in 2010 when he formed One Direction with Horan, Styles, Tomlinson and Malik with the help of Simon Cowell, and rose to fame on The X Factor.
