'SWEET SOUL'
Nicole Scherzinger pays touching tribute to ‘my friend’ Liam Payne who she put in One Direction on X Factor 15 years ago
Watch above to see the moment Nicole picked a young Liam out to become a member of One Direction
NICOLE Scherzinger has paid an emotional tribute to Liam Payne, who she put in One Direction on the X Factor 15 years ago.
The former One Direction star 31, fell 45 feet from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, October 16.
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In her touching tribute Nicole wrote: "Dear Liam,
"I will forever cherish and treasure the time we shared together, from fifteen years ago when One Direction was born, right up until just a few weeks ago.
"It was such a blessing to get to work with you recently. We shared the same love and passion for music and I will forever remember the meaningful and joyful conversations we had.
"It’s been so hard to process that you’re no longer here, but I am grateful to have known your kind heart, sweet soul and character.
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"You brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the lives of those that truly knew you. I will “miss you” my friend and carry you in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with your family."
The singer also spoke fondly about Liam on Good Morning America today.
She said: “Liam and I were quite close, especially because we recently did a show together on Netflix called building the band.
"I’m heartbroken for Liam, I’m heartbroken for his family and loved ones and fans.
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"Liam always led with his heart and kindness. And I really hope that’s how he’ll always be remembered."
Previously unseen footage from the X Factor, where One Direction was born, revealed Nicole was the judge who had the idea to put Liam, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson together to form a band.
In the clip shared to YouTube, the Pussycat Dolls icon urged fellow judge Simon Cowell to put photos of the teens together "as an imaginary boy group".
She said: "They're just too talented to get rid of.
"And they've got just the right look and the right charisma on stage. I think they'll be really great in a boy band together."
It was decided the young lads would all go through to the next round together as a group.
Liam Payne cops storm Buenos Aires hotel hunting for ‘drug dealer staff’ after One Direction star’s tragic death
"They're like little stars," Nicole said.
"So you can't get rid of little stars. You put them all together."
Speaking of Liam, the judge added: "This one. Right here.
"If he's the standout, then he could be the leader."
It has been revealed Nicole was still in touch with Liam until the day he died.
Andrew Lloyd Webber shared how Nicole was still texting the star.
Andrew, who composed the music for the Broadway musical Sunset Blvd., which stars Nicole, told : "I suppose something that hasn’t been said, and I suppose I could say, is that of course she mentored Liam, from One Direction.
"On the Wednesday when he died, she was still texting him that day."
Nicole still performed her role as Norma Desmond in the Broadway production after the tragedy.
It comes as...
- Liam Payne’s devastated sister Ruth breaks silence in emotional statement
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- Britain’s Got Talent auditions resume as Bruno Tonioli replaces Simon Cowell
- Molly-Mae reveals friendship with Liam Payne in emotional statement
- Liam’s devastated dad ‘trying to bring his son’s body home’
- The star spent £10,000 in one night helping people on GoFundMe
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"The fact that she even did the show at all is extraordinary. I mean, she is an amazing, amazing woman," said Andrew.
"She is without any question one of the finest performers I’ve ever worked with."
It comes as a petition to protect stars’ mental health in the wake of Liam's death has gained more than 100,000 signatures.
The campaign for a Liam’s Law can now be debated in the Commons.
The petition calls on the entertainment industry to provide more support for its stars, including adequate rest periods and regular mental health check-ups.
It adds: “The increasing rate of musicians who die before age 35, is concerning.
"We need to act now!”
Liam was often candid about the dark side of fame, revealing how constant media attention and pressure from being in the spotlight took a significant toll on his mental health.
As One Direction skyrocketed to fame, the group members were often confined to hotel rooms, where mini-bars were their only outlet.
“The best way to secure us was to lock us in our rooms, and what is in the room? A mini-bar,” the ex-1D band member said previously.
“So I had a party-for-one that seemed to carry on for many years of my life.”
Tributes to Liam Payne
SHOCKED fans, former co-workers, loved ones and friends flooded social media with sad tributes to Liam Payne after news of his death emerged.
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.
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 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."
James Cordon also paid his own tribute, describing the star as a "loving and kind soul".
The Gavin and Stacey actor wrote on Instagram: "Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heart-breaking.
"I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x."
Payne previously appeared on Cordon's The Late Late Show in America.
Former Little Mix star Jade Thirwall - who won X Factor with her bandmates one year after One Direction took part - described him as "the first friend I made in this industry".
She said: "We fell out of touch as the years went by, but back in 2008 he was the first friend I made in this industry.
"Both of us so young, so ambitious, both hoping we'd 'make it'. I hope you are at peace now".
Camila Cabello described his death as a "tragedy" and said he "made an impression" on her when she was a young girl.
Liam was brutally honest about his health and sobriety issues in recent years.
Cops now believe he was plied with drugs supplied by a hotel worker in Argentina before his death.
Argentine investigators suspect the drugs found in the tragic One Direction star’s Buenos Aires hotel room were sourced in a poverty-stricken neighbourhood 15 miles away.
An address in the city of Lomas de Zamora is said to match up with a man suspected of being involved in supplying the substance, sources say.
Police are now investigating two hotel staff in connection with the deals including a cleaner at the CasaSur boutique hotel.
It is believed they hid the drugs in a Dove Soap box which can be seen in pictures inside Liam’s room.
A pal of Liam’s last night told The Sun the star had been given the all-clear on a drugs test just days before his death.
The pop star had "tried really hard to get clean", the pal claimed before being "preyed upon" by the hotel workers.
They said dad-of-one Liam had entered Argentina on September 30 with the aim of renewing his American visa.
And, just over an hour before his death, Liam told a fan he loved Buenos Aires so much he wanted to buy a house there.
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Daiana Gauna met and chatted to her idol in the musician’s boutique city centre hotel lobby around 3pm last Wednesday after waiting with friends to catch a glimpse of him.
She told Argentinian TV show TN Central: “Liam looked in good shape, not drunk or aggressive like they’ve been saying on social media."
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