Justin Bieber pays tribute to One Direction star Liam Payne after his tragic death aged 31 – with touching video
Watch the heart-wrenching clip above
JUSTIN Bieber has paid a touching tribute to Liam Payne – six days after his death aged just 31.
The late One Direction star passed away aged 31 after tragically falling from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Justin Bieber shared a video on Instagram of floral tributes and messages laid in Liam’s memory with the message: “Rest easy, Liam.”
A voice over in the clip reads: “Just remember, you are allowed to grieve as a fan. You are allowed to love someone you’ve never met.
“You are allowed to admire someone for their art.
“You are allowed, to cry, to break, to feel like a part of you is gone.”
Justin dominated the charts in the 2010s alongside One Direction.
In 2017 Liam described the Canadian singer to Rollacoaster magazine as “a great guy” with “a really good heart”.
In Liam’s audition for X Factor, Cheryl Cole even told the young singer she thought he looked like Justin Bieber.
She said: “You look a little bit like Justin Bieber.”
To which Liam replied: “I love that. Thank you very much.”
Cheryl and Liam later went on to have a child together – their now seven-year-old son Bear.
He was co-parenting with the former X Factor judge, whom he met on the hit ITV1 talent show, and said he saw his son up to two to three times a week.
But Cheryl now faces the heartbreaking reality of raising their son without his dad.
Tributes to Liam have poured in since Wednesday after news of the singer’s death circulated across the world.
Liam’s One Direction bandmate Zayn Malik posted an emotional tribute to the star on Instagram, sharing a photo of him and Liam embracing while asleep in the back of a car during their early band days.
It comes as:
- Cheryl breaks her silence following Liam’s death
- Louis Tomlinson seen for first time
- Tragic messages prove Louis was ‘reaching out to Liam’
- Liam’s worried friends planned an intervention over his drink & drug use
- Cops reveal minute-by-minute breakdown of events before Liam’s death
- Liam was ‘dropped by his record label’ days before he died
- Brave dad refuses to ‘leave his side’ and vows to bring him back home with him
- Sister says ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t save you’ in heartbreaking tribute
- Cheryl’s mum and friends rally around her
In his caption, Zayn expressed grief over Liam’s passing, thanking him for his support during difficult times and admiring his maturity and musical talents.
He called Liam a brother, vowing to cherish their memories and lamenting that he never got to say goodbye properly
The Bradford-native wrote: “Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives.
“I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved.
“I lost a brother when you left us and 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.”
Meanwhile Liam’s devastated girlfriend Kate Cassidy was seen for the first time since the singer fell to his death.
Kate Cassidy, 25, looked distraught as she was spotted shopping in Wellington, Florida, with pals.
She was snapped without makeup and wearing joggers, Christian Dior sandals and an oversized T-shirt as the group left Jake’s pet supplies.
Tributes to Liam Payne
SHOCKED friends, family and fans have paid heartbreaking tributes to Liam as news of the singer's death circulated across the world.
Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction’s camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing ‘Just a boy…’ alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: “Such an awful tragedy.
“Sending love to his family and all those who loved him.”
X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was “devastated” and “lost for words”.
He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x”.
Liam Gallagher said he was “very sad” and told his followers on X: “Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.”
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning today.
He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.
“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the “devastating news” on her show today and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: “I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
“We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
“Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP.”
Niall Horan’s brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a “top young man”.
He added: “You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.
“My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.
“10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x”
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…”
American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…
“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry…”
Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”
In another tweet, they added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.”
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam’s tragic death on Instagram, adding: “Can’t believe this! RIP Liam.”
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: “I’m so taken aback, rest in peace.”