Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne Anthony Harvey/Getty Images
After Liam Payne’s death at 31, his former One Direction bandmate Louis Tomlinson is supporting his solo music career.
On Friday, October 18, Tomlinson, 32, shared a screenshot of his Apple Music playlist to his Instagram Story. Per the pic, Tomlinson was in the middle of listening to Payne’s “Teardrops.”
Payne released “Teardrops,” a breakup ballad cowritten with JC Chasez and Jamie Scott, in March to jumpstart a new musical era. It was the last original song Payne released ahead of his passing.
Us Weekly confirmed on Wednesday, October 16, that Payne fell to his death from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The late singer sustained a cranial fracture and other serious injuries that were too severe for emergency treatment. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Related: Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson’s Friendship Through the Years
Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson were connected for life through their stint in One Direction, which became one of the most successful boy bands of all time. But their friendship wasn’t always smooth-sailing, with the late “Teardrops” singer admitting he and Tomlinson, 32, “hated” each other at the beginning of their boy band journey. Later, […]
A preliminary autopsy report viewed by Us revealed that Payne died from “multiple injuries involving ‘internal and external hemorrhage’” and was believed to be in a “state of semi or total unconsciousness” at the time of the fall.
Payne is survived by his parents, two older sisters and 7-year-old son Bear Grey, whom he shared with ex Cheryl Cole.
Payne rose to fame in 2010 as a member of boy band One Direction, alongside Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik. While the group went on an indefinite hiatus in 2015, the remaining singers came together to mourn Payne’s death.
The 1D alums shared a joint statement on Thursday, October 18, as well as posted their own to their respective social media accounts.
“I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to every day, such a positive, funny, and kind soul,” Tomlinson wrote in his Thursday message. “I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for.”
He added, “Liam was an incredible songwriter with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio 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 experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on.”
Tomlinson also included a note for Payne himself.
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“I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye,” the “Walls” singer penned. “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 with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.”
Tomlinson concluded, “I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I 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.”
Tomlinson also reshared the post on his Instagram Story with the caption, “I love you. I’ll always be your big brother.”
