Nicole Scherzinger, the American singer and television personality, has taken to Instagram to pay tribute to her former collaborator and One Direction member Liam Payne, who tragically passed away at the age of 31. Scherzinger, who was a judge on The X Factor when Payne auditioned in 2010 and helped form the boyband One Direction, shared a heartfelt post in memory of the late pop star. In her post, Scherzinger expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to work with Payne, describing it as a “blessing” to have shared her passion for music with him.
Scherzinger’s post highlighted the meaningful conversations she had with Payne, stating that they “shared the same love and passion for music” and that she would “forever remember the meaningful and joyful conversations we had”. She praised Payne’s kind heart, sweet soul, and character, acknowledging that his sudden passing has been difficult to process. Scherzinger also extended her thoughts and prayers to Payne’s family, describing him as a person who brought “so much joy, light, and laughter to the lives of those that truly knew him”.
Nicole Scherzinger (Image via Getty)
Tributes have been pouring in for Payne since his death, including from his former partner, Cheryl, his One Direction bandmates, and music mogul Simon Cowell. The boyband’s four other members, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Harry Styles, released a joint statement saying they are “completely devastated” and will miss Payne “terribly”. Malik, who left One Direction in 2015, rescheduled his US tour for 2025 following Payne’s death.
Thousands of Payne’s fans gathered at memorial events in the UK and around the world to pay their respects to the late singer. Fans have also left flowers, candles, and photos of Payne at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, where he tragically lost his life. It is reported that Payne first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008 at the age of 14, and rose to fame after forming One Direction with Scherzinger’s guidance on the show.
Payne had previously spoken about his struggles with alcoholism during his time with One Direction, describing hitting “rock bottom” in an interview with The Diary Of A CEO podcast host, Steven Bartlett. Despite his struggles, Payne had continued to work in the music industry and had been involved in various projects, including a solo music career. His untimely death has sent shockwaves throughout the music world, and fans around the world are still reeling from the news.
In the wake of Payne’s death, fans are paying tribute to his legacy through music. Many have taken to social media to share their favorite One Direction songs and lyrics, while others have gathered at memorial events to sing and play music in Payne’s honor. Payne’s music has been a source of comfort and solace for many, and his untimely passing has reminded fans of the importance of cherishing every moment and embracing every passion, including music.
