Topline
Singer Nicole Scherzinger, who played a crucial role in the forming of the One Direction boy band on “X Factor” more than a decade ago, payed tribute to member Liam Payne Friday after it was revealed she’d been texting with the 31-year-old star the day he fell from a hotel balcony and died in Argentina.
Liam Payne, Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger on stage at The BRIT Awards in 2017.
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Key Facts
Scherzinger, who most recently worked with Payne on a new Netflix series called “Building the Band,” posted to Instagram to say she would “forever cherish and treasure the time we shared together” and said she was grateful for his “kind heart, sweet soul and character.”
The post came after Broadway legend Andrew Lloyd Webber spoke on Payne and Scherzinger’s relationship, describing the former Pussycat Dolls singer as a mentor to Payne and confirming they texted on the day of his death.
Payne died Wednesday, Oct. 16 after falling from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, sustaining “extremely serious injuries.”
Sources told ABC News Payne had multiple drugs in his body at the time of his death, including crack, cocaine, benzodiazepine and “pink cocaine,” a drug that is typically a mix of methamphetamine, ketamine, MDMA and other substances.
Autopsy results released by officials said he died from multiple traumas, internal and external hemorrhage.
Authorities said substances were found in Payne’s hotel room, suggesting alcohol and drug consumption before his death, and the investigation so far indicates the musician was under the influence and alone when the fell.
A local official cited by the Associated Press said Payne “had jumped from the balcony of his room,” with forensic experts later explaining the position of his body suggested he “did not adopt a reflexive posture to protect himself and that he could have fallen in a state of semi or total unconsciousness,” according to NBC News.
Police were reportedly rushed to the scene just after 5 p.m. local time after the hotel’s manager placed an emergency 911 call complaining about a guest “under the influence of drugs and alcohol” who had “destroyed some objects in the room.”
According to the BBC, the manager also expressed concern that the guest “has a balcony, and we are afraid they might do something to put their life at risk.”
Local officials said they have launched an investigation into the death and the BBC reported the U.K. Foreign office is in touch with Argentinian authorities on the matter.
Payne’s family released a statement to British media the day after his death: “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.”
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Crucial Quote
The other four former members of One Direction released a joint statement on Instagram, saying they were “completely devastated” by Payne’s passing and will “take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.”
How Have Fellow One Direction Bandmates Responded To Payne’s Death?
Payne’s former bandmates all made individual statements on Instagram starting Thursday. Zayn Malik postponed the U.S. portion of his tour—which has shows scheduled for this month—due to “the heartbreaking loss experienced this week,” writing that shows will be rescheduled for January. Previously, Malik said though he and Payne “butted heads,” he feels he “lost a brother.” Niall Horan, whose concert Payne attended just two weeks prior to his death, called Payne “the brightest in every room” and said he feels “so fortunate I got to see him recently.” Louis Tomlinson praised Payne as the “most vital member of One Direction,” and Harry Styles called his time with Payne “among the most cherished years of my life.”
Who Else Reacted To Payne’s Death?
Simon Cowell, the “X Factor” creator and judge who put One Direction together in 2010 after all five members auditioned as individuals, and signed them to his record label, said he feels “heartbroken” and “empty” in a statement. Payne’s ex-girlfriend Cheryl Cole, with whom he had his son Bear, said on Instagram she is working through her grief and urged the media to stop “exploitation” of Payne’s death. Cole was a judge on the “X Factor” panel for both of Payne’s auditions in 2008 and 2010, and the two dated between 2016 and 2018. Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy said in an Instagram story she is “at a complete loss” and asked for space to grieve, stating she loves Payne “unconditionally and completely.” Cassidy, whom Payne had dated off-and-on since 2022, was with Payne in Buenos Aires until the Monday before his death, the day she posted a TikTok video filming her journey from Argentina back to Florida. Shawn Mendes stopped his concert in Brooklyn to pay tribute to Payne, saying, “The world is crying for you, brother, and we’re all praying for your son and your family.” And Payne’s sister, Ruth Gibbons, posted an emotional message on Instagram, saying, “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”
One Direction’s Music Returns To Streaming Charts
One Direction’s music surged on the Spotify charts following Payne’s death. The band was the most-streamed artist in their native United Kingdom on the Thursday after his death and ranked No. 2 on the global Spotify artists chart. The band’s song “Night Changes,” one of its biggest hits with a sentimental message about growing older and the fleeting nature of life, was the sixth most-streamed song worldwide on Spotify Oct. 17. “Night Changes” also ranks No. 6 on TikTok’s weekly chart of trending songs, as fans use it in videos to pay tribute to Payne.
Fans of One Direction and Liam Payne gathered outside the hotel to light candles at an improvised altar after British musician death on Wednesday night.
Anadolu via Getty Images
The group of fans gathered outside the hotel could be heard singing One Direction songs.
Anadolu via Getty Images
Fans of British singer Liam Payne cry next to the hotel where he died in Buenos Aires.
AFP via Getty Images
One Direction fans also mourned Payne’s death on social media.
AFP via Getty Images
Key Background
Payne was a member of One Direction—a band put together by judges on the British show “The X Factor” in 2010—along with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson. They did not win the season, but the group saw astronomical success after the show and went on to have stadium tours and a number of pop hits including “Story of My Life” and “Best Song Ever.” The band announced it would take a temporary hiatus in 2015, though Malik had left earlier that year. Payne then pursued a solo career and released his first solo album, LP1, in 2019, before continuing to make pop, hip-hop, Latin, and electronic music. Payne talked about his struggle with addiction in recent years, and said he suffered from suicidal thoughts while he a member of One Direction. In a 2023 YouTube video, Payne said he spent 100 days in rehabilitation and had “more of a grip on life and everything that was getting away from me” after being sober. Payne had four charting songs and one Billboard Top 10 hit in his solo career, 2017’s “Strip That Down” featuring Quavo. He released his most recent song, “Teardrops,” earlier this year. Payne also had a child in 2017 with Cheryl Cole.
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs contributed reporting.
Further Reading
