Simon Cowell has expressed deep sorrow over the sudden death of Liam Payne, the former One Direction star, saying he feels “heartbroken” and “empty.” Cowell, who was instrumental in forming the group through The X Factor in 2010, fondly remembered the singer as “kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful [and] talented.”
Payne tragically passed away on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he was reportedly staying. Cowell took to Instagram to share his grief, writing, “Liam, I am devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty.” He added that every tear shed reflects the beautiful memories shared with Payne.
Cowell reminisced about the early days when Payne auditioned for The X Factor at age 14, reflecting on how the young artist persevered despite being told to return later. "A lot of people would have given up. You didn’t," Cowell noted. Payne went on to have an illustrious career with One Direction, captivating fans worldwide before the band’s split in 2016.
Adding to the sorrow, Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, described him as “my angel” and expressed her eternal love for him. She stated, “I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life.”
Further deepening the tragedy, Payne's father, Geoff Payne, arrived at the morgue in Buenos Aires for the identification process necessary for repatriating his son's body back to the UK.
Reflecting on their friendship, Cowell shared that Payne had visited him last year, reminiscing about their fun memories and Payne's pride in being a father to his son, Bear. “He has your smile and that twinkle in his eye that you have," Cowell noted.
As tributes continued to pour in, Payne's bandmates expressed their grief. Niall Horan described himself as “absolutely devastated,” while Harry Styles lamented for Payne's family, recognizing his joy in making others happy. Louis Tomlinson referred to him as “the most vital part of One Direction,” praising his songwriting talent.
Zayn Malik also shared a poignant message, speaking directly to Payne about his positive outlook and comforting demeanor. Meanwhile, Sharon Osbourne questioned the support from the music industry, stating, “Where was this industry when you needed them?” in her tributes to Payne.
The outpouring of love and remembrance underscores the profound impact Liam Payne had on those around him, leaving a void in the world of music and millions of fans who admired him.
