Zayn Malik has shared a heart-wrenching tribute to his late One Direction bandmate, Liam Payne. On Wednesday, Payne passed away after falling off a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31.
Following the band’s split in 2016, the One Direction members have now come together to remember their late bandmate. Meanwhile, Malik also shared a moving tribute that echoed the singer’s remorse over his estranged bond with Payne over the last few years.
Malik shared a sweet throwback photo from their younger days and penned in his tribute, “Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me.” He added that he couldn’t help but “selfishly” think the two were meant to have “many more conversations” in their lives. An emotional Malik thanked Payne for supporting him through “some of the most difficult times” of his life.
Zayn Malik wishes he could give Liam Payne a hug in heartbreaking tribute
Zayn Malik continued to recall that whenever he missed home as a 17-year-old, Liam Payne would “always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile.” The “Stardust” singer reminisced how Payne would assure him of their friendship and how much he was “loved.”
Malik then mentioned that despite being younger, Payne was “always more sensible.” He penned, “You were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no f—s about telling people when they were wrong.” Malik shared that although he and Payne “butted heads because of this a few times,” he “always secretly respected” the late singer.
In the moving tribute, Malik continued to praise Payne’s musical prowess — “You were the most qualified in every sense.” The former One Direction star wrote he “knew nothing in comparison,” adding that he was “a novice child with no experience” whereas Payne was “already a professional.” Malik shared that the band could rely on the late singer “no matter what happened on stage” since he would know “which way to steer the ship next.”
“I lost a brother when you left us,” Malik heartbreakingly penned. “Can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly.” Malik further wrote he will “cherish all the memories” with Payne in his heart forever. He continued to share his devastation over his bandmate’s untimely passing. Before ending the note, Malik wished Payne peace and expressed his love.
