One Direction Singer Liam Payne Dies At 31

One Direction singer Liam Payne died after a fall on Oct. 16, according to multiple reports. He was 31 years old.

In a statement provided to CNN, police said that Payne fell from the window of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Payne shared a son, 7-year-old Bear, with Cheryl of Girls Aloud, who he called “the best mum in the world” in a 2022 appearance on the Impaulsive podcast. “I couldn’t ask for someone better. The relationship we have with each other now as friends has only grown more,” he said.

He called Bear a “wonder” in a 2023 YouTube video. “It’s a lot of fun to be around, to watch him grow.”

Payne’s Musical Career

The English musician rose to fame as part of the boyband One Direction alongside Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson. After the band parted ways, Payne pursued a solo career and released his first solo single, “Strip That Down,” in 2017. His debut studio album, LP1, followed in 2019.

Payne’s final single, “Teardrops,” was released in March 2024. The song “is about the vulnerability of heartbreak and the challenge of overcoming those moments,” he shared in a release (via People).

“This song marks the start of a new beginning,” he added, promising “lots more to come in 2024.”

Despite no longer working together musically, Payne stayed in touch with several of his former One Direction bandmates over the years — once telling Access Hollywood that he and Tomlinson speak “quite a lot” about fatherhood. He also attended the premiere of Tomlin’s documentary, All of Those Voices, in 2023.

“You were already my friend and brother but getting to look through that window into your world and mind just extends that respect I have for you,” he wrote on Instagram at the time, per People.

Most recently, Payne attended Horan’s concert in the Argentinian capital on Oct. 2.

Fans & Celebrities Paid Their Condolences

Although Payne’s One Direction bandmates did not immediately respond to the news, Payne was quickly remembered on social media, including by several fellow musicians.

Charlie Puth wrote on his Instagram story that he was “in shock” at the news, adding that Payne was “always so kind” to him. They once worked together on the single “Bedroom Floor” ahead of LP1.

Another former collaborator, Zedd, called the loss absolutely heartbreaking on X, formerly Twitter.

Paris Hilton also shared a message on X. “So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing,” she wrote. “Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones.”