Niall Horan has spoken out following the tragic death of his former One Direction bandmate, Liam Payne, expressing his profound grief and shock. "I am absolutely devastated at the passing of an amazing friend," Horan wrote on Instagram early Friday, accompanied by a black-heart emoji. "It just doesn’t feel real," he added, reflecting on Payne's vibrant energy and infectious passion for life and work. Horan fondly remembered Payne as the brightest presence in any room, always making everyone feel happy and secure.
The memories of their shared laughter and the simple joys they experienced together continue to surface amidst the sorrow. Horan emphasized the rarity of their deep bond and friendship, cherishing every moment they had together. He felt incredibly fortunate to have recently seen Payne, who traveled to Argentina to attend one of Horan's shows. Sadly, that evening's goodbye turned out to be their final farewell, leaving Horan heartbroken.
Payne, accompanied by his girlfriend Kate Cassidy, had journeyed to Buenos Aires to see Horan perform on October 2. The "Strip That Down" singer was captured on camera at the concert. Tragically, Payne was found dead two weeks later, having fallen from his balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel on October 16. Medical officials confirmed that Payne had sustained fatal injuries, including a fractured skull.
Horan and Payne's journey began when they both auditioned for "The X Factor" in 2010. Alongside Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Harry Styles, they were grouped together by Simon Cowell and guest judge Nicole Scherzinger. Despite placing third, the band went on to achieve immense success, selling five studio albums, embarking on numerous tours, and winning numerous awards.
Following Payne's death, Simon Cowell halted filming for "Britain's Got Talent," and Payne's family released a statement honoring his memory. Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son Bear, whom he shares with singer Cheryl Cole.
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