'Can't believe this is real': Celebrities, musicians mourn Liam Payne's sudden death
The industry colleagues of Liam Payne, who was best known for being a member of the boy band One Direction, took to social media to mourn his sudden passing on Oct. 17.
Charlie Puth, who worked on Payne's 2017 song Bedroom Floor, expressed his disbelief in an Instagram story.
"I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone," Puth said.
He also shared an old video of them together with the caption, "I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace," their photo together, and Payne's radio interview about Bedroom Floor.
Puth later posted a photo of him and Liam on Instagram.
TV personality Paris Hilton on X said the news was "so upsetting," calling Payne her friend.
Rapper Juicy J said he can't believe Payne's death and offered prayers to his family.
Jedward, the duo of John and Edward Grimes who joined the reality television music competition X Factor where One Direction was discovered, also remembered Payne.
In another tweet, Jedward said it's sending strength to Cheryl Cole, Payne's ex-wife whom he shared a seven-month son, as well as to his former group.
Zedd, a music producer and disc jockey who worked on Payne's only studio album LP1, on X said it's "absolutely heartbreaking."
"RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real," Zedd said.
RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…
absolutely heartbreaking … 💔— Zedd (@Zedd) October 16, 2024
In a follow-up tweet, he wrote about life being short and fragile.
"You never know what people are going through," Zedd said. "We live in times where being rude, divisive and mean is normal; sometimes even celebrated. It doesn’t have to be this way. We should do our best to be kind, supportive and mindful."
Anne Twist, the mother of Payne's former bandmate Harry Styles, on Instagram posted a broken heart emoji with the caption, "Just a boy," followed by another broken heart emoji.
Cable television channel MTV and music streaming platform Spotify also paid tribute to Payne.
Payne died after falling from his hotel window in Buenos Aires. He was 31.
He had suffered "very serious injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall," the head of the city's SAME emergency medical service, Alberto Crescenti, told local television, adding "there was no possibility of resuscitation."
He also appeared to have suffered a fracture at the base of his skull from the fall Crescenti said was "about 13 or 14 meters" (about 43 or 46 feet).
Payne was part of One Direction along with Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Niall Horan. It was formed in 2010 and became known for various hits such as What Makes You Beautiful, Little Things, and Best Song Ever, among others.