After fellow One Direction alum Liam Payne died aged 31 in October, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson rerate their bonds.
“(Liam’s death) was a wake-up call for all of them. They used to keep in touch sporadically, but they didn’t have close friendships,” a source shared in the latest issue of Us Weeklynoting that the former bandmates have vowed to mend their relationship.
“They’re all still grieving, but checking in on each other and feeling closer than they’ve been in years,” adds the insider. “It brought them back together.”
Styles, 30, Tomlinson, 32, Malik and Horan, both 31. reunited at Payne’s private funeral in Amersham, England, last month. The somber event marked the first time the four remaining band members have been together since Malik left One Direction in 2015. The band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016.
Liam Payne has been laid to rest following his untimely death aged 31. The singer’s famous friends and family attended a private funeral held in Amersham, England on Wednesday, November 20. Payne’s former One Direction bandmates – Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan – were photographed entering the somber event together (…)
Despite their past creative differences, Malik said during a 2016 interview. to Beats 1 radio station that he “never wanted to be there” during his One Direction tenure – the four got together to issue a joint statement the day after Paine’s death.
“We are completely devastated by the news of Liam’s death. In time, and when everyone can, there will be more to say,” they write. “But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our much-loved brother. The memories we shared with him will be cherished forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends and the fans who loved him along with us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”
According to the source, all five members of One Direction were “in talks to do one last reunion show” before Payne’s death. While this is now on hold, it is still on the table.
“The boys will be delighted to pay tribute to Liam. They’re all so devastated right now that they can’t even think about it as a legitimate project, but it has been discussed,” the insider says. “Liam’s death has caused the boys immense grief.”
Payne died October 16 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A preliminary autopsy indicated that he “may have fallen into a state of semi- or complete unconsciousness,” as the position in which his body was found and his injuries suggested that he “did not assume a reflexive posture to protect yourself’ during the fall.
Payne suffered “serious injuries” that were “incompatible with life” as a result of the fall, the head of emergency services in Buenos Aires said Alberto Crescenti said.
From the time One Direction was formed, Liam Payne found himself with four extra brothers for life. Thanks to the creative minds of The X Factor UK judges Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Payne came together in 2010 to form a life-changing boy band. (…)
A partial autopsy showed that Payne had “pink cocaine” — a recreational drug that is usually a mixture of ketamine, MDMA and methamphetamine — in his body when he died, along with cocaine, benzodiazepine and crack.
In addition to their joint statement, the other members of One Direction shared personal tributes to Payne following his death.
“I feel incredibly lucky to have you in my life, but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye,” Tomlinson wrote via Instagram. “I’m so grateful that we’ve grown even closer since the band, talking on the phone for hours reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we’ve had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life.” I would love to share the stage with you again, but it didn’t happen.”
Styles said he was “truly devastated by Liam’s death,” noting that “the late singer’s greatest joy was making other people happy.”
Horan, who saw Payne weeks before his death at Horan’s concert in Buenos Aires, noted that he felt “so happy” that they had recently gotten hitched.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t know that after I said goodbye and hugged him that night, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking,” Horan added. “Thank you for everything, Paino. I love you bro.
Meanwhile, Malik, who had his own ups and downs with Payne penned a heartfelt Instagram post over the years, calling Payne the “most qualified” member of the band “in every sense.”
Liam Payne left his mark on both his former One Direction bandmates and opening acts before his death aged 31. “We are completely devastated by the news of Liam’s death. In time and when everyone can do it, there will be more to say,” the remaining members of the original group, Harry Styles, Niall (…)
“I lost a brother when he left us and I can’t explain what I would give to hug you one last time and say goodbye properly and tell you that I love and respect you so much,” Malik continued. “I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there are no words to justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now, you are well and at peace and know how much you are loved. I love you bro.
Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear, whom he shares with his ex Cheryl Cole. He was meeting with influencers Kate Cassidy at the time of his death. Cassidy, 25, also attended Payne’s funeral and called the late musician her “angel” in a tribute in October.
“You are everything,” she wrote on Instagram at the time. “I want you to know that I love you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life. I love you Liam.”
For more on the One Direction alumni, watch the video above and pick up the latest issue of Us Weeklyalready on newsstands.
