Music News

Aliana Mawla is adding her words to a mountain of heartfelt Liam Payne tributes following the 31-year-old singer’s shocking death this week.
On Thursday (Oct. 17) — one day after the former One Direction star died after suffering a fatal fall from the third floor of his hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina — the 26-year-old model shared a photo of Payne at a concert and wrote, “I’m sorry this happened to you,” according to People.

“Will forever love & miss you,” she added.

Mawla also shared a photo of Payne’s hands — distinguishable thanks to his “L” and “P” tattoos — holding what appears to be her hand. “Rest in paradise,” the influencer wrote.

Payne is believed to have dated Mawla after his split from ex-fiancée Maya Henry in 2022. The “Strip That Down” singer went on to date girlfriend Kate Cassidy, who also shared a tribute to Payne on Friday (Oct. 18).

“I have been at a complete loss,” Cassidy wrote on her Instagram Story. “Nothing about the past few days have felt real .. Liam, my angel. You are everything. I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life.”

Payne died around 5:07 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 16), according to the preliminary autopsy report, which also revealed that he appeared to have been alone at the time. Investigators also believe that the star was potentially under the influence of substances when he fell from the third-story balcony of his hotel room, but are still waiting for further toxicology reports.

His death has inspired an outpouring of heartfelt messages from fans, fellow musicians and loved ones over the past 48 hours, including both a joint statement and individual tributes from Payne’s former bandmates, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson. One Direction’s creator and former mentor Simon Cowell also wrote a testament to the singer Friday, as did Cheryl Cole, Payne’s ex-partner and the mother of his 7-year-old son, Bear.

“Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son,” Cole wrote, sharing a black-and-white photo of Payne cuddling with a newborn Bear in bed. “A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.”

Cheryl Cole, musician and ex-partner to Liam Payne, is speaking out about wanting to protect their 7-year-old son Bear from the “media exploitation” she’s seen following the 31-year-old singer’s death.
Two days after the former One Direction star died by falling from the third story of his hotel in Buenos Aires, Cole posted a message to Instagram Friday (Oct. 18) to “kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being.”

“Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son,” she wrote, sharing a black-and-white photo of Payne cuddling with a newborn Bear in bed. “A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.”

“What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days,” the “Fight for This Love” singer continued. “It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.”

Cole and Payne dated for about two years before separating in 2018. In March 2017, they welcomed Bear.

In addition to countless messages of grief that have flooded social media from Payne’s loved ones, industry peers and fans alike over the past two days, his death has also inspired much discourse about his character. Also adding to the spectacle is the fact that TMZ, one of the first outlets to report that Payne had died, shared photos showing parts of his dead body. The pictures have since been removed, but not before multiple people online — including Alessia Cara — slammed the publication for including them in the first place.

“I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces,” Cole continued in her post. “Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them.”

“Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last,” Cole concluded her message. “Thank you.”

Cole’s message comes within an hour of Payne’s girlfriend, influencer Kate Cassidy, paying tribute to the late singer. “I have been at a complete loss,” she wrote on Instagram Stories Friday. “Nothing about the past few days have felt real.”

“Liam, my angel. You are everything,” Cassidy continued. “I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life.”

Payne died around 5:07 p.m. Wednesday and appeared to have been alone when he fell from his hotel room balcony, suffering multiple fatal traumas and hemorrhages, according to a preliminary autopsy report. Investigators also believe that he was potentially under the influence of substances when he died, but are still waiting for further toxicology reports.

Payne’s former One Direction bandmates — Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson — and Simon Cowell have since shared tributes to the performer, as have Ed Sheeran, Cher Lloyd, Camila Cabello and more musicians. “We are heartbroken,” reads a statement from Payne’s family. “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”

See Cole’s post here.

Liam Payne‘s girlfriend, influencer Kate Cassidy, has spoken out for the first time following the 31-year-old singer’s death.
On Friday (Oct. 18), two days after Payne suffered a fatal fall from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Cassidy thank supporters via Instagram Stories for “all the kind words and love” sent her way in the past 48 hours. “I have been at a complete loss,” she wrote. “Nothing about the past few days have felt real.”

“I ask and pray that you’ll give me the grace and space to navigate this in private,” Cassidy continued before addressing Payne directly. “Liam, my angel. You are everything. I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely.”

“I will continue to love you for the rest of my life,” the social media star added. “I love you Liam.”

Cassidy and Payne had been dating for about two years prior to the former One Direction star’s death on Oct. 16. The former would often post videos with her boyfriend on TikTok, and in September, she shared with followers on the app how she and the singer first met while she was working as his server at a bar in Charleston, S.C.

Cassidy was with Payne in Argentina prior to his death, according to videos on her TikTok, as well as Snapchats posted by the musician. The couple had attended Niall Horan’s concert together while in the country.

A few days prior to Payne’s death, Cassidy posted that she was leaving Argentina solo.

Payne died Wednesday around 5:07 p.m., according to the preliminary autopsy report, which also revealed that he appeared to have been alone when he fell. Investigators also believe that the star was potentially under the influence of substances when he died, but are still waiting for further toxicology reports.

Cassidy’s words are the latest message of grief posted by someone close to Payne in the days since his passing. His former One Direction bandmates Horan, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson each shared individual tributes in addition to a joint statement on Thursday (Oct 17), while Simon Cowell posted a memorial Friday. Social media has also seen an outpouring of condolences from musicians such as Ed Sheeran, Rita Ora, J Balvin, Cher Lloyd and more, in addition to countless anguished posts from fans.

In a statement to the BBC the day after Payne’s death, the singer’s family also spoke out. “We are heartbroken,” they said. “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”

Simon Cowell is remembering Liam Payne following the 31-year-old singer’s death.
In a statement posted to Instagram Friday (Oct. 18), the X Factor creator — who gave Payne his start on the show in 2010 by placing him in One Direction — wrote that he feels “devastated” and “heartbroken” over the loss of his former mentee. “You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens,” Cowell wrote. “I feel empty.”

“I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you,” the mogul continued. “Every tear I have shed is a memory of you.”

Payne died Oct. 16 after falling from the third floor of his hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A preliminary autopsy concluded that the star was potentially under the influence of substances when the fall occurred, moments before which a hotel manager had placed a 911 call to report that a guest was “destroying [their] entire room.”

In the wake of his death, Payne’s former One Direction bandmates each shared individual statements mourning the musician in addition to releasing a joint statement Thursday (Oct. 17). In his own message, Cowell shared that people would often ask him what Payne was like in real life, and he “would tell them you were kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, focused. And how much you loved music. And how much love you genuinely had for the fans.”

The former American Idol judge also reminisced on the first time he crossed paths with Payne when the singer auditioned for The X Factor U.K. in 2008 but was sent home; two years later, he’d audition again and earn his spot in 1D. “I had to tell you when you were 14 that this wasn’t your time,” Cowell wrote. “And we both made a promise that we would meet again. A lot of people would have given up. You didn’t.”

“You came to see me last year,” Cowell continued. “Not for a meeting. Just to sit and talk. And we reminisced about all of the fun times we had together. And how proud you were to be a Dad. After you left, I was reminded that you were still the sweet, kind boy I had met all of those years ago.”

Cowell’s statement marks the first time the producer has spoken about Payne’s passing. Earlier in the week, Cowell’s auditions for Britain’s Got Talent — another of his talent shows — were postponed “due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne,” according to a statement posted by Applause Store Thursday (Oct. 17).

Cowell was instrumental in Payne’s career, assigning the singer to One Direction with fellow X Factor hopefuls Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson in 2010. The band went on to dominate pop music for six years after that, scoring four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 and six Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits before disbanding in 2016, after which Payne and his bandmates each pursued successful solo careers.

Cowell also reflected on the similarities between Payne and the singer’s 7-year-old son Bear, whom he shares with ex Cheryl Cole. Wrote the producer, “He has your smile and that twinkle in his eye that you have. And he will be so proud of everything you achieved. And how you achieved it.”

He concluded his tribute “And now Liam, I can see the effect you had on so many people. Because you left us too soon. Rest in peace my friend.”

See Cowell’s full statement about Payne below.