Rita Ora has paid tribute to late One Direction singer Liam Payne with an emotional performs just hours after his death.
- READ MORE: Liam Payne 1993-2024: One Direction star who helped spark a pop phenomenon
On the night of October 16, it was announced that Liam Payne had died at the age of 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Per The Guardian, the Argentinian prosecutor’s office revealed that Payne’s cause of death was due to multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding – his head injuries were serious enough to cause death.
Just hours after the news of Liam Payne’s tragic death broke, Ora – who collaborated with Payne in 2018 on ‘For You’ from the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack – took to the stage in Osaka, Japan for a performance, where she honoured her deceased friend.
Rita Ora今日ステージに立ってくれてありがとう
For You歌ってくれてありがとう大好きな曲
イントロから泣いてたけど最後にLiamとのツーショがスクリーンに写った時涙止まらなかった@RitaOra #RitaOra pic.twitter.com/7pcg55IQTX— A i (@why_not_j_) October 17, 2024
During the set, Ora performed ‘For You’, as an image of herself with Payne was shown on the screen behind her. Halfway through the performance, Ora announced “I can’t even sing this right now — can you do it for me?”, as she sat on a riser with her head in hands, appearing to be crying.
Later, she mouthed “I’m sorry” to the audience before walking offstage with her arms crossed.
Rita Ora singing “For You” in Japan yesterday 🥺 this hits really hard pic.twitter.com/Aop6yaoZ8W
— Lau 𓊍 (@llau_music) October 17, 2024
After the performance, Ora took to social media to share that same photograph of herself with Liam in the studio. She wrote in Payne’s memory: “I’m devastated 💔 He had the kindest soul, I will never forget. I loved working with him so much – he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage. This tragic news breaks my heart. Sending all my love and prayers to his family and loved ones. Our song For You takes on a whole new meaning for me now. R.I.P.”
The four remaining members of One Direction – Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik – have since shared a joint statement on Payne’s death, where they expressed their devastation, and that they would need time “to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.”
Styles, Malik and Tomlinson have also shared their own statements on their respective social media pages. Styles wrote: “I am truly devastated by Liam’s passing. His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.”
A portion of Malik’s tribute reads: “Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but think selfishly that there are so many more conversations for us to have in our lives.”
Louis Tomlinson shared a photo of themselves on stage while performing and wrote: “I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.
“And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction,” Tomlison continued. “His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam.”
Payne’s family have also issued a statement, saying: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
Katie Waissel, who competed alongside One Direction, recently paid tribute to Payne and called for more “care and support for young artists”. Rebecca Ferguson, who finished in second place on the same season of the show, paid tribute to Payne while also speaking out against the “exploitation and profiteering of young stars.”
Liam Gallagher also commented on Payne’s passing, tweeting: “life is precious”, before confirming he had heard the news of the singer’s untimely death: “I have it’s very sad.”
